Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Announces 2026 Home Football Venues and Ryan Field Opener
2/3/2026 11:55:00 AM | Football
Wildcats to Open Home Schedule at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium Before Moving to the New Ryan Field, Fall/ Winter Community Events Also Previewed
EVANSTON, Ill. – Following the Big Ten Conference's announcement of the 2026 home and away schedule on January 27, Northwestern Football announced on Tuesday the venues for its seven home games for the 2026 season.
Northwestern will open its 2026 home schedule with its first two non-conference games to be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, the widely recognized on-campus facility along the shore of Lake Michigan. The Wildcats will host South Dakota State on Saturday, September 5, and Colorado on Saturday, September 19, at the lakefront venue.
The remaining five home games on the 2026 schedule will be played at the new Ryan Field, with the Wildcats set to host Penn State on Friday, October 2, in the inaugural game at the new world-class stadium.
"The opening of the new Ryan Field marks a defining moment for Northwestern Football and reflects our continued investment in excellence across every aspect of the program," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "The opener against Penn State presented by FOX Sports provides us with an extraordinary stage to showcase the incredible stadium and the culture that Head Coach David Braun has established. We appreciate the dedication and support of our fans and campus community, and we look forward to welcoming them to the nation's greatest college football stadium that will elevate the student-athlete experience and bring us together in powerful and memorable ways."
The new stadium opener against Penn State on October 2 marks exactly 100 years to the day that the original stadium—first known as Northwestern Stadium, later Dyche Stadium and since its 1997 renovation, Ryan Field — hosted its first football game in 1926.
Construction of the new Ryan Field remains on track for its originally scheduled completion in mid-September 2026, positioning Northwestern to transition to the new facility beginning with Big Ten play.
"We are incredibly appreciative of our remarkable workers, subcontractors and our partners at Central Street Consortium for being on track to deliver the new Ryan Field on time, despite the unexpected number of weather days that we've experienced," said CEO of Ryan Sports Development Pat Ryan Jr. "We also sincerely appreciate the patience of our neighbors throughout the construction process."
All recent season ticket holders (2023-2025) will receive priority access to seat selection at the new Ryan Field. The seat selection process is actively underway, and a dedicated seating representative will reach out to guide each recent season ticket holder through the next steps. No action is required at this time.
Fans interested in becoming new season ticket holders can register for insider updates and exclusive information on the new Ryan Field by completing the Insider Form. Registrants will receive priority access to location options and guidance on finding their place once ticket packages are released.
Games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will be sold separately from season ticket packages for the new Ryan Field. Additional information regarding seating opportunities at the lakefront venue will be shared in the coming weeks.
Television network designations and start times for all games will be announced at a later date.
2026 Northwestern Football Schedule
Saturday, September 5 – vs. South Dakota State (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
Saturday, September 19 – vs. Colorado (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
Saturday, September 26 – at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.)*
Friday, October 2 – vs. Penn State (Ryan Field)**
Saturday, October 10 – vs. Ball State (Ryan Field)* - Homecoming
Saturday, October 17 – at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.)*
Saturday, October 24 – vs. Rutgers (Ryan Field)* - Family Weekend
Saturday, October 31 – at Oregon (Eugene, Ore.)*
Saturday, November 7 – vs. Iowa (Ryan Field)*
Saturday, November 14 – at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio)
Saturday, November 21 – at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Saturday, November 28 – vs. Illinois (Ryan Field)*
Bold denotes home games
* denotes eligible for a Friday shift
**denotes eligible for FOX or FS1
2026 Fall/ Winter Community Event Preview
As part of the preliminary Fall/Winter 2026 calendar, Northwestern announced plans to host its initial two community events in the Ryan Field plazas, marking an important step in delivering on its commitment to make the new stadium a year-round community hub.
Northwestern expects to share additional details about both festivals in the coming months.
Northwestern will open its 2026 home schedule with its first two non-conference games to be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, the widely recognized on-campus facility along the shore of Lake Michigan. The Wildcats will host South Dakota State on Saturday, September 5, and Colorado on Saturday, September 19, at the lakefront venue.
The remaining five home games on the 2026 schedule will be played at the new Ryan Field, with the Wildcats set to host Penn State on Friday, October 2, in the inaugural game at the new world-class stadium.
"The opening of the new Ryan Field marks a defining moment for Northwestern Football and reflects our continued investment in excellence across every aspect of the program," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. "The opener against Penn State presented by FOX Sports provides us with an extraordinary stage to showcase the incredible stadium and the culture that Head Coach David Braun has established. We appreciate the dedication and support of our fans and campus community, and we look forward to welcoming them to the nation's greatest college football stadium that will elevate the student-athlete experience and bring us together in powerful and memorable ways."
The new stadium opener against Penn State on October 2 marks exactly 100 years to the day that the original stadium—first known as Northwestern Stadium, later Dyche Stadium and since its 1997 renovation, Ryan Field — hosted its first football game in 1926.
Construction of the new Ryan Field remains on track for its originally scheduled completion in mid-September 2026, positioning Northwestern to transition to the new facility beginning with Big Ten play.
"We are incredibly appreciative of our remarkable workers, subcontractors and our partners at Central Street Consortium for being on track to deliver the new Ryan Field on time, despite the unexpected number of weather days that we've experienced," said CEO of Ryan Sports Development Pat Ryan Jr. "We also sincerely appreciate the patience of our neighbors throughout the construction process."
All recent season ticket holders (2023-2025) will receive priority access to seat selection at the new Ryan Field. The seat selection process is actively underway, and a dedicated seating representative will reach out to guide each recent season ticket holder through the next steps. No action is required at this time.
Fans interested in becoming new season ticket holders can register for insider updates and exclusive information on the new Ryan Field by completing the Insider Form. Registrants will receive priority access to location options and guidance on finding their place once ticket packages are released.
Games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will be sold separately from season ticket packages for the new Ryan Field. Additional information regarding seating opportunities at the lakefront venue will be shared in the coming weeks.
Television network designations and start times for all games will be announced at a later date.
2026 Northwestern Football Schedule
Saturday, September 5 – vs. South Dakota State (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
Saturday, September 19 – vs. Colorado (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
Saturday, September 26 – at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.)*
Friday, October 2 – vs. Penn State (Ryan Field)**
Saturday, October 10 – vs. Ball State (Ryan Field)* - Homecoming
Saturday, October 17 – at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.)*
Saturday, October 24 – vs. Rutgers (Ryan Field)* - Family Weekend
Saturday, October 31 – at Oregon (Eugene, Ore.)*
Saturday, November 7 – vs. Iowa (Ryan Field)*
Saturday, November 14 – at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio)
Saturday, November 21 – at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
Saturday, November 28 – vs. Illinois (Ryan Field)*
Bold denotes home games
* denotes eligible for a Friday shift
**denotes eligible for FOX or FS1
2026 Fall/ Winter Community Event Preview
As part of the preliminary Fall/Winter 2026 calendar, Northwestern announced plans to host its initial two community events in the Ryan Field plazas, marking an important step in delivering on its commitment to make the new stadium a year-round community hub.
- Halloween/Fall Festival: Northwestern is planning an October community celebration on Halloween and the fall season, building on the popular "truck-or-treat" tradition started by the workers at Ryan Field and embraced by local families.
- Winter Festival: Plans are also underway for a holiday Winter Festival featuring a seasonal market and winter activities for all ages.
Northwestern expects to share additional details about both festivals in the coming months.
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