Ryan Field Redevelopment

The redeveloped stadium will serve as a year-round hub for community activities while offering improved accessibility.

Lead Contact

Gary Storm

Senior Principal

Project Details

Project Partners

HNTB, Perkins&Will

Owner

Northwestern University

Location

Evanston, Illinois

Completion Date

2026

Sustainability

LEED Gold

The new Ryan Field at Northwestern University is earning national attention ahead of its October 2 opening in Evanston, Illinois. — Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

Designed by HNTB and Perkins&Will, with Thornton Tomasetti providing structural design and construction engineering services, the stadium replaces the former Ryan Field on the same historic site. — Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

The playing field sits 21 feet below grade, helping bring spectators closer to the action while reducing the stadium’s impact on the surrounding neighborhood, while open plazas and an accessible main concourse strengthen connections between the venue and the Evanston community. — Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

The Chicago Tribune highlights the role of structure in shaping Ryan Field’s architectural identity. — Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

In a recent Chicago Tribune architecture column, the publication describes the 35,000-seat stadium as Chicagoland’s most architecturally distinguished sports facility in more than a century, placing it in the lineage of Wrigley Field and the original Comiskey Park. — Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

Ryan Field Redevelopment in Evanston, Illinois. Thornton Tomasetti

overview

The new home for Northwestern University Athletics, Ryan Field will be a world-class stadium that will serve as a year-round hub for community activities while offering improved accessibility. Outdoor plazas and green spaces will anchor the stadium within its context, providing space for tailgating and proving a community asset by hosting festivals and other programming.

Thornton Tomasetti is providing structural design and construction engineering services to HNTB, which is serving as the lead design architect and architect of record in collaboration with associate design architect Perkins&Will. The project is targeting LEED Gold certification.

highlights

Seating capacity was reduced for a more intimate experience to 35,000, which will bring fans closer to the field with improved sightlines while decreasing traffic in the area.
A state-of-the-art canopy gives the stadium a modern look while containing crowd noise and lighting pollution.
Accessibility is a priority for the design, which features widened entries and ramps, grab bars and improved restroom layouts.