Northwestern University has not yet announced where it will play its home football games this year.
“At the end of the day, what we need to check is, is the campus community involved? Are our students involved? Does it concern our long-term season ticket holders?” '' David Brown, who compiled an 8-5 record last year before taking the full-time job as interim coach, said Wednesday. “Are we creating momentum and an environment for this new Ryan Field that will get people excited to participate?”
Ryan Field, home of the Wildcats for nearly 100 years, is being demolished to make way for a new stadium scheduled to open in 2026.
It's hard to find a single place in Chicago that does school checks. The Wildcats are trying to chip away at the problem. The games could also be played at SeatGeek Stadium at Bridgeview Soccer Park, about 60 miles from Evanston, or at Wrigley Field, where the team has played three times since 2010. Major League Baseball stadiums will likely only allow Wildcats games in November. At Soldier Field, you have to line up behind two tenants: the Bears and the Fire.
The Wildcats are even considering building a temporary structure (think golf stands) on campus near the football practice facility. Brown called the idea “great,” but it's unclear how realistic it will be in 2024.
The Wildcats are scheduled to play Miami (Ohio) on Aug. 31, Duke on Sept. 7 and Eastern Illinois on Sept. 14. The Fire will face Lionel Messi and Inter Miami on Aug. 31, but the Wildcats could petition to change the opener. Until Sunday, September 1st.
Northwestern will play at home against Indiana State on Oct. 5, Wisconsin on Oct. 19, Ohio State on Nov. 16 and Illinois on Nov. 30. The school is reportedly in talks to play against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Uncertainty regarding home stadiums has slowed opponents' ability to book nearby hotels for away games.
The Big Ten has input on stadium choices from a broadcast and operations standpoint, but tournament spokesman Scott Merkley said, “It's up to the organizations to decide where their games will be played.”
NU is working on it.
still.
“I'm jealous of the guys who are part of this project to see where we're going,” said Brown, who spoke about quarterback Ben Bryant, receiver Cam Johnson and linebacker Bryce Gallagher at the school's pro day. I don't think so,” he said. “All I can say is that I have to do a great job, no matter where the venue is, whether the team is ready or not.”
