- Promotions
- Parking Map/Free NU Shuttle Bus Service
- Traditions: Walk With Us
- Public Transportation to Athletic Facilities
- Parking and Directions
- Fan Guide from A to Z
- Ryan Field on Game Day
- Travel Center
- Wildcat Seatbacks
Parking Map/ Free NU Shuttle Bus Service
Charter Bus Regulations
After drop-off, follow this route to the off-site bus parking area:
Turn right and take Isabella east to Ridge Avenue.
Turn right on Ridge Avenue and proceed south to Emerson Street.
Turn right on Emerson Street and go west to Dodge Avenue.
Turn Left on Dodge Avenue and proceed south to James Park.
Turn right into James Park access road (first street south of Oakton) and follow parking instructions.
The major streets at the stadium are closed temporarily to vehicular traffic at the end of the game due to the large number of fans walking east from the stadium. Buses must stay in the lot until 15 minutes after the end of the game. Staff at the lot will release buses at the appropriate time. This allows the majority of pedestrians to clear the stadium area before the buses return (about 30 minutes after the end of the game).
Buses returning early are a hazard and will not be allowed in the stadium area.
Follow this route from the bus parking area to the stadium:
Turn left out of the James Park driveway and proceed north on Dodge Avenue.
Turn right on Emerson Street and head east to Sherman Avenue.
Turn left on Sherman Avenue and take it north to Central Street.
Proceed west on Central Street to the stadium area.
Turn right onto Ashland Avenue and pick up passengers along the east curb.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS SO A SAFE AND EFFICIENT OPERATION RESULTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Questions about this information? Call (847) 491-7887.
CTA: Metra:
For more detailed information on the CTA and Metra please call 836-7000 from the 312, 847, 708 and 630 area codes.
Parking
Directions
From the North: From the South: Alternate Route from the South: From the West/ O'Hare Airport: Alternate Exit from I-294 and I-94: Advance Ticket Sales/General Ticket Information Alcoholic Beverages ATMs Automobile Trouble Away Games B Banners & Signs Birthday Messages Bottles & Cans Broadcast C
Cellular Phones
Children Community Programs & Donations
Wildcat Charities
If you have further questions, please contact the Marketing Department at (847) 491-7504.
Concessions
Corporate Sponsorships D
Disabled Parking Disabled Seating
E Emergency Procedures
F
G Group Tickets Guest Conduct
H
I
J Kid's Club
L
M
N Northwestern University Please be advised that traditionally, a current Northwestern student or alumnus perform the National Anthem. Please call the Marketing Department at (847) 491-7504 for further information.
O Out of Town Scores
P Programs Prohibited Items Storage of these items for guests will not be provided.
Promotional Items/ Dates Public Address
Q
R Re-entry Restrooms
S Season Tickets Service Dogs Smoking Souvenirs Strollers Summer Camps
T Telephones Ticket Replacement
Travel
U
V
W
The will call windows are located near the Athletic Ticket Office next to Gate K.
NU player guest tickets are located at Gate Q.
NU player guest tickets are located at Gate N.
Visitor player guest tickets are located at Gate E.
Press will call is located at Gate N.
Ticketmaster will call is located near the Athletic Ticket Office next to Gate K.
Willie the Wildcat
X
Y
Z Zip up your coat…Public Transportation to Athletic Facilities
Ride the Purple CTA line to the Central Street train station, 2 blocks east of Ryan Field. Trains will run approximately every 7 to 10 minutes on game day. Parking is available at both the Howard and Linden Stations. CTA full fare is $1.75 one-way; CTA Park & Ride lots are $1.50 per car.
The Central Street Metra Station is also conveniently located 2 blocks to the west of Ryan Field at 1601 Central Street. Fare varies.
Take I-94 to Skokie Blvd/ Route 41 Exit. Exit ramp becomes Skokie Boulevard. Continue south to Lake Avenue (2nd traffic light). Turn left on Lake Avenue and proceed east to Sheridan Road and continue south to football parking lots.
Take I-90/94. Where I-90 and I-94 split, take I-94 towards Milwaukee. Follow I-94 to Dempster Street east and proceed east on Dempster Street to Chicago Avenue. Turn left onto Chicago Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Take Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. Continue north on Sheridan Road until you arrive at the Evanston Campus. Proceed to the football parking lots.
Take I-55, I-88 or I-90 to I-294. Follow I-294 north to Dempster Street east. Proceed east on Dempster Street to Chicago Avenue. Turn left on Chicago Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Take Touhy Avenue east and proceed to McCormick Boulevard. Turn left on McCormick Boulevard and proceed north to Dempster Street. Turn right on Dempster Street and proceed east to Forest Avenue. Turn left on Forest Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Football Fan Guide from A to Z
The Athletic Ticket Office is open weekdays August through April 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and May through July 9a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at the south end of Ryan Field on Central Street. On game days, the ticket office opens at 9 a.m. and remains open for thirty minutes after the conclusion of the game. For further information, please call (847) 491-CATS or email us at cat-tix@northwestern.edu.
Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited in Ryan Field
The nearest automated teller machine (ATM) is located at Chase (southwest corner) where Green Bay Road and Central Street intersect.
A guest who experiences automobile trouble while parked in a University lot should contact a University police officer or call the University Police at (847) 491-3456. In an emergency, please contact the University Police at 911.
Away game tickets are only available to season ticket holders and NU Athletic Department Donors. The Northwestern Alumni Association does sponsor away game tailgates, which include a game ticket. For more information, please go to
http://www.alumni.northwestern.edu/tailgates/index.html
Bag Search
Ryan Field regulations prohibit cans, bottles, large ice chests, food, drinks and alcoholic beverages from being brought into the stadium. All bags are subject to search upon entry and within the stadium. All prohibited items may be disposed of in trash containers or returned to one's vehicle.
Banners and signs are prohibited in Ryan Field. Guests will be asked to dispose of signs and banners in trash containers or return them to their vehicle.
Wildcat fans enjoy celebrating their birthdays at Ryan Field. Now you can make the day even more special when you put birthday wishes on the scoreboard for everyone to see. Cost: $50 donation, which benefits the NU Athletic Department. For more information, please contact the Marketing Department at (847) 491-7504.
Bottles and cans are prohibited in Ryan Field. Guests will be asked to dispose of bottles and cans in a trash container.
Television broadcasts and times are generally announced ten days prior to the game. Please contact the Media Services Department at (847) 491-7503 for more information.
Cameras
Large lens cameras are prohibited but still cameras may be used at any time. However, flash photography is not permitted as it may interrupt play. Please be courteous and do not disturb other guests when taking pictures.
Use of cellular phones is permitted providing their use does not interfere with another guest's ability to enjoy the atmosphere of Ryan Field.
All persons, regardless of age, must hold a ticket.
If your nonprofit organization is seeking a donation of game tickets, please send a formal letter of request to:
NU Athletic Department
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
Concession stands are located throughout Ryan Field in the concourse area.
For information regarding corporate sponsorships, please contact the Marketing Department at (847) 491-7504.
Disabled Guest Drop Off
The drop-off area is on Ashland Avenue near gate Q.
Single game disabled parking is in the front row of the west parking lot. Season permit disabled parking is located in the southwest and southeast corners of Ryan Field. Entrance is via Central Street in front of the Athletic Ticket Office.
Disabled seating is located in rows 1-4 of sections 107 through 109 on the east side of the field, in rows 1-4 of sections 128-130 on the west side, and in rows 36-38 of section 126 on the west side.
Elevators
Elevators are located on the west side of the field between Gates N and S. Elevator access is restricted to members of the working media holding credentials, Wildcat Den and Stadium Club ticketholders, and elderly and disabled fans with "elevator access" stamped tickets.
In the event of an emergency at Ryan Field, please follow the directions from ushers. If an emergency requires evacuation from the stadium, directions will be given over the public address system. Please contact an usher if you have any questions.
First Aid
First Aid is located by Gate R on the west side of the stadium. Paramedic stations are located on the northwest and southwest corners of the playing field.
Gates open
Gates open one hour and thirty minutes prior to kick off. Please enter the stadium through the gate indicated on your ticket. NU undergraduate students must enter through Gate T.
Group tickets and seating are available for most games. Please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (847) 491-CATS or refer to the ticket portion of our website.
Northwestern Wildcat football should be an enjoyable experience for all fans. In order to promote athletic excellence and fan enjoyment, we ask for your assistance in displaying a high degree of respect and sportsmanship at all times. If a patron displays conduct which endangers or disrupts players, coaches, officials, or other patrons, Northwestern University reserves the right to remove the individual from Ryan Field. No refunds will be granted in such cases.
Hotel Accommodations
Please check out our Travel Center for hotel information.
Information Tables
Information tables are set up during each home football game. The tables are located at Gate R on the west side and Gate E on the east side. Please stop at these tables for general information about Ryan Field during your visit!
Join the Wildcat Family by supporting the Wildcat Fund
The Wildcat Fund exists to help provide scholarship and other vital assistance to student athletes competing in varsity intercollegiate sports. The strength of an athletic department's annual fund often correlates to the strength of the department and its athletic programs. In addition to providing outstanding experience for deserving young men and women, your contribution to the Wildcat Fund will result in certain benefits for you. Please contact the Development Office at (847) 467-2101 for more specific information on benefits, contribution levels, and the Wildcat Priority Point System.
Do you know a child in 8th grade and under that loves the Wildcats? Sign them up to be a part of the Wildcat Kids' Club! Wildcat Kids' Club members receive special Wildcat gifts, free tickets to events as well as opportunities to meet student-athletes, be the PA announcer at a baseball game or retrieve the tee at a football game. If you would like more information about the Wildcat Kids' Club or to request a membership application, please contact the Wildcat Kids' Club Office at (847) 491-7504 or via email at wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
Lost & Found
Lost items may be turned into the Athletic Ticket Office at the south end of Ryan Field, or the ushering service headquarters in the McGaw Hall lobby. All unclaimed items will be turned into the NU Athletic Facilities Office at (847) 491-7887.
Merchandise
Grab all your favorite Wildcat merchandise at the Wildcat Athletics Merchandise stands located by Gates F and P in the outer concourse of the stadium, and by Gate N outside of the stadium.
National Anthem
Guests interested in performing the National Anthem before a home game should send a demo tape (audio or video) with a return address and phone number to:
Marketing Department
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
On-field Access
Only authorized personnel will be permitted on the field before, during, or after a game. Any unauthorized person going onto the field will be removed from the stadium and subject to arrest.
Out of town scores (scores from around the Big Ten and Top 25) will be posted on the scoreboards during various times of the game.
Parking
Football Parking & Directions
"The Den" is the official game program of Wildcat Football and available from vendors and hawkers throughout Ryan Field for $5. This season, game programs are being sold by members of the Wildcat Softball Team, and a portion of the sales will benefit Wildcat Softball.
Spectators are prohibited from bringing the following items into Ryan Field:
*No alcoholic beverages
*No umbrellas
*No noisemakers, musical instruments or horns
*No banners, flags, or signs
*No video cameras, large televisions, large lens cameras, tripods, or large radios
*No cans, glasses, thermoses, picnic baskets, ice chests, wine skins, food, drinks or coolers
*No strollers
*No large purses, bags, or backpacks
Promotional items have individual restrictions and give away dates are subject to change without prior notice. Please remember that a game ticket does not ensure or entitle the holder to a promotional item on that date and that only one item will be distributed per person. Please be considerate of other guests by taking only one promotional item.
No appeals will be made over the public address system except under extraordinary circumstances. Requests of an emergency nature should be addressed to the nearest usher or to security personnel.
Questions
Questions not answered in this fan guide may be directed to the Athletic Ticket Office at (847) 491-CATS or via email at cat-tix@northwestern.edu.
Radios/ Televisions
Large radios and large televisions are not permitted in Ryan Field.
Patrons who choose to leave Ryan Field during the game will not be allowed to re-enter.
Restrooms are located throughout Ryan Field. All restrooms are handicap accessible.
Schedules
Pocket schedules are available at the Athletic Ticket Office or by calling (847) 491-CATS.
Please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at (847) 491-CATS for information regarding prices or seat locations, or refer to the ticket portion of this website.
Animals are not permitted within Ryan Field with the exception of certified service dogs for guests with disabilities. Please contact the NU Athletic Facilities Office at (847) 491-7887 to make arrangements prior to the game.
Northwestern University is committed to providing a smoke-free environment in all of its facilities, both indoor and outdoor. Therefore, smoking will not be permitted in the stadium seating areas, restrooms, or entryways leading to seating areas. Smoking will be permitted in the concourse areas. We ask for your cooperation in enforcing this policy.
Grab all your favorite Wildcat souvenirs at the Wildcat Athletics Merchandise stands located by Gates F and P in the outer concourse of the stadium, and by Gate N outside of the stadium.
Strollers are not permitted in Ryan Field. There will be no stroller check available to guests.
Please contact the Director of Sports Camps at 847-467-0286 for more information about the variety of camps our coaches offer or visit www.nusports.com
Tailgating
Tailgating is permitted in the east and west lots (permit only). Guests who do not hold a parking pass for the east or west lot, may park in the campus lots where tailgating is permitted as well. Please refer to the parking portion of the website for all campus lot locations.
Public pay phones are located in the outer concourses by Gates N, Q and S on the west side and Gates D, F and G on the east side.
Lost, stolen or destroyed tickets will not be replaced.
Please see our Travel section!
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are not permitted in Ryan Field. There will be no umbrella check available to guests.
Video cameras
Video cameras are not permitted in Ryan Field and no storage will be provided for guests. Video cameras are not permitted due to contractual obligations between the Big Ten Conference and television networks.
Will Call
Everyone must have a Photo ID in order to pick up Will Call and Player Guest Tickets. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
The Wildcat mascot was developed in three stages. The nickname "Wildcats" was initiated in 1924. Nine years later, in 1933, the Northwestern Athletic Department teamed up with an advertising firm to create the first caricature of Willie. In 1947, the first mascot was actually brought to life when four members of the Alpha Delta fraternity dressed up as Willie for their Homecoming float.
X's & O's
X's & O's and all Wildcat action can be heard on WGN AM Radio 720.
Youth Camps
Youth camps are typically held during the summer. Please contact the Director of Sports Camps at 847-467-0286 for more information about the variety of camps our coaches offer or visit www.nusports.com
Zero
Zero places are better than Ryan Field to enjoy a game!
It can get pretty cold at Ryan Field in November!
