Northwestern University just announced the venues for its seven home football games in the 2026 season. The Big Ten Conference recently released the 2026 home and away schedule, so there’s a lot to take in.
One of the biggest stories? The opening of the new Ryan Field—a stadium that’s supposed to seriously upgrade the game-day experience for both fans and athletes. The Wildcats will start their home schedule with two non-conference games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.
After that, they’ll move over to the new Ryan Field for the rest of the season’s home games. Here’s what’s on tap for the 2026 Northwestern Football schedule, a bit about the new stadium, and some community events planned for its debut.
The 2026 Northwestern Football Schedule
The 2026 season could be a real turning point for Northwestern Football. The Wildcats will kick off their home schedule at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, right on the shore of Lake Michigan.
This spot will host the first two non-conference games:
- Saturday, September 5 – vs. South Dakota State
- Saturday, September 19 – vs. Colorado
After those, the Wildcats make the switch to the new Ryan Field for their five remaining home games. Here’s how that looks:
- Friday, October 2 – vs. Penn State (Inaugural game at the new Ryan Field)
- Saturday, October 10 – vs. Ball State (Homecoming)
- Saturday, October 24 – vs. Rutgers (Family Weekend)
- Saturday, November 7 – vs. Iowa
- Saturday, November 28 – vs. Illinois
On the road, they’ll face Indiana, Michigan State, Oregon, Ohio State, and Minnesota.
Significance of the New Ryan Field
The new Ryan Field is a big deal for Northwestern Football. It’s set to open October 2, 2026—right on the 100th anniversary of the original stadium’s first game.
The stadium is supposed to reflect the university’s ongoing push for excellence in athletics. Modern amenities, new tech, and a fresh vibe are all part of the package.
A Defining Moment for Northwestern Football
Mark Jackson, the Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation, called the opening a defining moment for the program. The first game at the new stadium, against Penn State and broadcast by FOX Sports, should be a major showcase.
Head Coach David Braun’s culture will be on display. There’s hope the new Ryan Field will transform the student-athlete experience and give the Northwestern community some unforgettable moments.
Construction and Community Involvement
Construction is on pace to wrap up by mid-September 2026. A lot of credit goes to the workers, subcontractors, and Central Street Consortium partners who’ve kept things moving.
Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, thanked the community for sticking it out through the construction headaches. The new stadium isn’t just for football—it’s meant to be a year-round hub with plenty of events and activities.
2026 Fall/Winter Community Events
The new Ryan Field won’t just be about football. It’s also set to host a handful of community events during the 2026 fall and winter seasons.
Northwestern wants the stadium to feel like a true community space, not just a sports venue.
Halloween/Fall Festival
One event that stands out is the Halloween/Fall Festival. It’ll build on the “truck-or-treat” tradition started by stadium workers and should have plenty of family-friendly activities.
It’s all about celebrating the season and bringing people together.
Winter Festival
There’s also talk of a Winter Festival, with a seasonal market and winter activities for all ages. These events are aimed at uniting the Northwestern and Evanston communities.
Luke Figora, Northwestern’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, pointed out that these events help fulfill the university’s promises to the neighborhood. They’ll use up to 45 of the allowed 60 days for community programming in the stadium’s first year.
Ticket Information and Fan Engagement
If you’ve been a season ticket holder from 2023 to 2025, you’ll get first dibs on seat selection at the new Ryan Field. A seating rep will reach out to help you through the process.
Thinking about becoming a new season ticket holder? You can sign up for insider updates and special info about the new stadium by filling out the Insider Form.
Individual Game Tickets
Tickets for games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium will be sold separately from the new Ryan Field season packages. More info on seating at the lakefront venue should be coming soon.
TV network assignments and kickoff times for all games will be released down the line. For the nitty-gritty details, check out Northwestern announces 2026 home football venues and Ryan Field opener.
Conclusion
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a big one for Northwestern Football. The new Ryan Field will finally open its gates.
There’s buzz about a bunch of community events, too. Fans are in for a completely different game-day vibe—maybe even a little more electric than before.
If you’re a Wildcats supporter, this is your moment. Keep an eye out for updates, and honestly, it might be worth clearing your calendar for kickoff.
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