Ryan Field (stadium)
Ryan Field was a stadium in the central United States, located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb north of Chicago. Near the campus of Northwestern University, it was primarily used for American football, and was the home field of the Northwestern Wildcats of the Big Ten Conference. Before its demolition in 2024, it was the only FBS stadium without permanent lighting, and its final seating capacity was 47,130. The stadium closed at the end of the 2023 season, and preparation for demolition began on January 29, 2024 to make way for a new Ryan Field on the site.
View from northeast corner in 2006 | |
Evanston Location in the United States Evanston Location in Illinois | |
| Former names | Dyche Stadium (1926–1996) |
|---|---|
| Location | 1501 Central Street Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 42°3′56″N 87°41′33″W |
| Owner | Northwestern University |
| Operator | Northwestern University |
| Capacity | 47,130 (1997–2023)
Former capacity List
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| Surface | Grass: 1997–2023 Astroturf: 1973–1996 Grass: 1926–1972 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April 8, 1926 |
| Opened | October 2, 1926 |
| Renovated | 1996 |
| Expanded | 1949, 1952 |
| Closed | 2023 |
| Demolished | January 29, 2024 (started) |
| Construction cost | $2.6 million (original) ($43 million in 2022) 1996 renovation: $20 million |
| Architect | James Gamble Rogers |
| General contractor | J. B. French Construction Company |
| Tenants | |
| Northwestern Wildcats (NCAA) (1926–2023) | |
| Website | |
| nusports.com/ryan-field | |
Opened 98 years ago in 1926, it was named Dyche Stadium for William Dyche, class of 1882, Evanston mayor from 1895 to 1899 and overseer of the building project. The stadium was renamed Ryan Field in 1997 in honor of the family of Aon Corporation founder Patrick G. Ryan, who was then the chairman of Northwestern's board of trustees. The renaming was made by the other members of the board in recognition of the Ryan family's leadership and numerous contributions to Northwestern, including the lead gift to the Campaign for Athletic Excellence, Northwestern's fundraising drive for athletic facilities.