Season tickets for Northwestern football's inaugural season at the new Ryan Field go on sale around Tuesday, August 4, giving Evanston residents their first shot at securing seats inside the $875 million stadium at 1501 Central Street.

The official Northwestern Football account announced the one-week countdown on Tuesday, July 28. The on-sale date coincides with the start of training camp.

What fans are buying into

The 35,000-seat venue is smaller than the old Ryan Field's 47,000 capacity, but every seat comes with an armrest, cupholder, and canopy coverage. Free pregame festivals are included with admission, according to Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development, who described the amenities in a June 30 Chicago Tribune report.

Ryan also confirmed a discounted ticket program for Evanston residents, local high school employees, and students. Pricing details have not been released.

The stadium is entirely privately funded, anchored by the Ryan family's $480 million donation in 2021. Total costs rose to $875 million after weather delays and inflation, roughly $13 million over the original budget.

The schedule ahead

The opener is Friday, October 2 against Penn State, nationally televised on FOX Sports. One hundred years to the day. That's when Northwestern Stadium, Ryan Field's predecessor, hosted its first football game, according to Sports Illustrated.

Homecoming follows Saturday, October 10. The ETHS-New Trier rivalry game arrives Friday, October 16, as we reported Wednesday, July 22, marking the first high school football game at the rebuilt stadium.

More than 1,000 construction workers remain on site daily as of late July, completing electrical installations and exterior ground work, the Chicago Tribune reported.

On the field

Northwestern finished 2025 at 7-6 with a GameAbove Sports Bowl win over Central Michigan. The Wildcats retained 27 of 30 players with eligibility who logged more than 100 meaningful snaps, including All-Big Ten safety Robert Fitzgerald and wide receiver Griffin Wilde. Head coach David Braun hired former Oregon head coach and Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly to run the offense, with new quarterback Aidan Chiles taking the reins after 30 games at Oregon State and Michigan State.

During a July 21 tour of the construction site, Braun told the Chicago Tribune: "I truly believe it's the best stadium in all of football. I think it's right-sized to our community. We're not trying to be the biggest. We delivered on being the best."

The stadium also features the "Wildcat Wall," a European soccer-style safe-standing section putting 2,000 students directly above the south end zone. First up: Penn State under the lights on Friday, October 2.