Northwestern University opens new $875 million Ryan Field stadium in Illinois with Penn State game

On October 1, 2026, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, opened its new $875 million Ryan Field stadium with a football game against Penn State. The stadium, built on the same site as the original, seats 35,000 and is the smallest in the Big Ten. Northwestern coach David Braun praised the venue's intimate atmosphere and acoustics. The Wildcats entered the game with a 2-1 record, while Penn State, under new coach Matt Campbell, came in at 3-1 after a loss to Wisconsin. The opening coincided with the 100th anniversary of the original stadium's opening.