Northwestern football faced No. 2 Ohio State at Wrigley Field on Saturday, featuring one of Chicago’s most famous locations.

On Monday, the Wildcats presented designs for their new stadium, Ryan Field, set to launch in 2026. The university stated in a news release that this new facility will serve as “a cutting-edge $850 million sports and entertainment venue that aims to become a landmark for college football and the city of Chicago.”

ESPN reported that the new Ryan Field project is on track to be “the largest stadium project in college football history.”

Northwestern confirmed that the new stadium will be fully financed by the Ryan family without any public funds. The Ryan family holds a minority stake in the Chicago Bears and has an ownership interest in the English Premier League side AFC Bournemouth.

Pat Ryan Jr. stated, “With the new Ryan Field, we are presenting an innovative vision for the future of college athletics. This stadium is designed not only for world-class football but also for our students, athletes, fans, alumni, and the Northwestern and Evanston communities. We’re dedicated to building environments that enhance the modern fan experience while fostering economic empowerment and cultural benefits for our community.

“The Ryan Family is excited to collaborate with Northwestern on this transformative initiative.” Besides providing main funding for the new Ryan Field, the Ryan Family’s sports development team is working on the design and construction of the stadium for free in partnership with Northwestern Athletics.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming Ryan Field for Northwestern football, along with a preview of the designs:

Preview: Northwestern shares designs for the new Ryan Field

The university mentioned that the stadium will not only host Northwestern football matches but will also serve as a valuable resource for the communities of Evanston, Illinois, and Northwestern, facilitating youth sports, holiday events, and student-related activities.

The new stadium, which will seat 35,000—making it the smallest in the Big Ten—is anticipated to create a $1.3 billion economic impact on the Chicago area, with $659 million of that benefiting Evanston alone. Furthermore, the initiative is projected to generate $208 million in contracts for minority- and women-owned businesses, with the Ryan Foundation contributing $10 million for workforce development programs for local residents.

According to Northwestern, here are some other features of the new Ryan Field:

• All 35,000 seats will provide excellent sightlines, designed to make each level as close to the field as possible, featuring comfortable seat backs and weather protection from a canopy.
• The seating canopy will also enhance the acoustic experience to create a significant homefield advantage during games.
• The stadium will offer 194% of the necessary ADA seating, ensuring universal accessibility, allowing every fan, regardless of ability, to enjoy the stadium experience equally.
• More than 200,000 square feet of parks and plaza areas will surround the stadium, capable of hosting pregame festivities such as pop-up restaurants, live music, and a community tailgating area.
• The main concourses of Ryan Field will be open to the stadium bowl, ensuring fans won’t miss any action during games.
• There will be four premium club areas catering to every kind of fan, from the most dedicated Wildcat followers to corporate entertainment options at Chicago’s Big Ten Stadium. Designed by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, these clubs will be available year-round for various events, meetings, and private functions.
• Key partners in the development of Ryan Field include Turner Walsh, managing construction, along with architectural firms Perkins & Will and HNTB.