The Northwestern Wildcats are set to play a majority of their home football games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, courtesy of a two-year, exclusive naming-rights partnership with Northwestern Medicine, the university-affiliated non-profit healthcare system.
The move marks the first field naming partnership in the country following rule changes on the practice by the NCAA earlier this summer.
The university announced the agreement Monday morning, saying it further solidifies the partnership between the two organizations. Northwestern Medicine provides healthcare for all 19 of the university’s athletic programs, its nearly 500 student-athletes and all university students.
“As the health care provider for the University’s students and athletes, we are pleased to strengthen our partnership and continue supporting the Wildcats in this new venue,” said President and CEO of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Howard Chrisman in the news release.
Signage for the healthcare system is to be placed around the stadium, inside and out, as part of the agreement.
Beyond football, the field will continue to host the university’s lacrosse and soccer teams while the formerly 98-year-old Ryan Field football stadium is rebuilt. Deep foundation work and earth retention soil anchor drilling will take place for construction throughout August, according to a news release from the university. Stretching into September, the site will see underground utilities installation, concrete foundation pouring and mass excavation work.
The rebuilding and commercial use of the field has sparked backlash in the northern suburb with residents from both Evanston and Wilmette arguing the use of the completed field for up to six full-capacity concerts will cause traffic, noise, unruly behavior and other woes. Proponents of the plan pushed back, saying the city needs the boost to its downtown following slow growth post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wilmette eventually reached an agreement with its neighbors outlining policies Evanston will have to uphold to keep the peace.
A lawsuit filed against the city by the Most Livable City Association is ongoing and set for an update on Oct. 4. It argues the city worked behind closed doors to negotiate terms for the stadium rebuild and seeks to invalidate the narrow 4-3 vote that allowed for the zoning changes that would permit commercial endeavors at the stadium.
“We are honored to expand our partnership with Northwestern Medicine, as they continue to invest in our University, including Northwestern Athletics,” said Northwestern University President Michael Schill in the news release. “This partnership will help bring our innovative venue on the lakefront to life and bring our community together. I would also like to thank the Martin Family for their continued support of Northwestern Athletics and the University.”
Two of the Wildcats most popular match-ups, verses Ohio State and the University of Illinois, will be held at Wrigley Field on Nov. 16 and Nov. 30 respectively. Game times have not been released for those games.
Tickets for all games were released earlier this month and quickly sold out with 2024 season tickets the only remaining option beginning at $403.
Meanwhile, fans who don’t attend games at the newly crowned Northwestern Medicine Field have the opportunity to watch the game immediately south at the Lakeside Tailgate, hosted by the university. Northwestern and other college games will be streamed on a videoboard with chances for attendees to purchase food and drinks while playing lawn games and enjoying DJs and other entertainment. General admission tickets will cost $25 with packages for larger groups available.
The Wildcats take on their first opponent, Miami (Ohio) later this month at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 31. The team is expected to return to a revamped Ryan Field for the 2026 football season.
