The Wildcats are running it back one (two) more times.
Northwestern announced Tuesday that the first two games of the 2026 college football season will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, giving fans another taste of the lakefront venue. The season opens Saturday, Sept. 5 against South Dakota State and after the early bye week the Wildcats host Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 19.
The remaining five home games will be played at the new Ryan Field beginning Friday, Oct. 2 against Penn State.
“The opening of the new Ryan Field marks a defining moment for Northwestern Football and reflects our continued investment in excellence across every aspect of the program,” said Northwestern athletics director Mark Jackson via press release. “The opener against Penn State presented by FOX Sports provides us with an extraordinary stage to showcase the incredible stadium and the culture that head coach David Braun has established. We appreciate the dedication and support of our fans and campus community, and we look forward to welcoming them to the nation’s greatest college football stadium that will elevate the student-athlete experience and bring us together in powerful and memorable ways.”
According to the same press release, the planned finished for the new stadium is on schedule for its mid-September deadline, just in time for conference play. The date also marks 100 years to the day that the original stadium opened.
Current season ticket holders will be giving priority access to seat selection, though the process is still being developed.
Last week, the Big Ten released it’s full 2026 schedule and Northwestern is facing a gauntlet that features many potential playoff contenders, including the reigning national champion Hoosiers.
Wildcats 2026 Schedule
- Saturday, September 5 – vs. South Dakota State (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
- Saturday, September 19 – vs. Colorado (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)
- Saturday, September 26 – at Indiana (Bloomington, Ind.)
- Friday, October 2 – vs. Penn State (Ryan Field)
- Saturday, October 10 – vs. Ball State (Ryan Field) – Homecoming
- Saturday, October 17 – at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.)
- Saturday, October 24 – vs. Rutgers (Ryan Field)* – Family Weekend
- Saturday, October 31 – at Oregon (Eugene, Ore.)
- Saturday, November 7 – vs. Iowa (Ryan Field)
- Saturday, November 14 – at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio)
- Saturday, November 21 – at Minnesota (Minneapolis, Minn.)
- Saturday, November 28 – vs. Illinois (Ryan Field)
The press release from Northwestern Athletics also stated that two community events are being planned: a Halloween/Fall festival as well as a Winter festival.
Instant thoughts
As a season ticket holder myself, the entire family loved the lakefront stadium. While small and intimate, it delivered a vibe unmatched in college football. The news that we get two more games is a welcomed surprise.
That said, it is a bit unfortunate that fans have to wait a full month into the season before Ryan Field reopens. We are all eager to see what this new facility means for the future of Wildcats football.
With the recent shakeups on staff, highlighted by the hiring of Chip Kelly as new offensive coordinator, Braun and the Wildcats are looking to replicate the turnaround and success Indiana has experienced in recent years. However, the Big Ten did Northwestern no favors with their schedule for the debut season of new Ryan Field.
The Wildcats will face three teams that reached the playoffs in 2025: Indiana, Oregon and Ohio State. They will also face a new-look Penn State team and will travel to East Lansing to face a Michigan State team that is now coached by Northwestern legend Pat Fitzgerald. Even the nonconference slate is tough, with FCS powerhouse South Dakota State visiting as well as Deion Sanders and Colorado.
Northwestern will have a rough go of it in 2026, with 6-6 looking like the most realistic best-case scenario.
Either way, I am patiently waiting my invite — either as press or a season ticket holder — to visit new Ryan Field.
