Free game day shuttle from Chicago Ave and Church St, Orrington Ave and Davis St, or Maple Ave near Emerson St. Restaurants and bars next to campus, with the Davis Purple Line and Metra stops. The Graduate Hotel at 1625 Hinman Ave has a bar open late on weekends.
ChicagoVisiting fans pick this
CTA Red Line to Howard, then the Purple Line to Central, or Metra UP-North to Central Street. Biggest choice of hotels; Evanston is about 12 miles north of the Loop.
Around the stadium
From a specialist guide
Downtown Evanston, next to the Northwestern campus, has about 85 restaurants. Game day shuttles run between downtown and the stadium. Double Clutch Brewing sits on Ashland Avenue near the stadium.
Map of the area
Tap a pin to see the place.
Getting to Ryan Field
From O'Hare
Checked at the source
ORD O'Hare, 17 to 20 miles away, a 35 to 60 minute drive. By train, take the CTA Blue Line, change to the Red Line at Jackson and the Purple Line at Howard, and get off at Central.
On game day
Checked at the source
Metra Union Pacific North Line. Central Street station, about a five-minute walk from the gates. CTA Purple Line. Central station; walk west along Central Street. Pace Bus 201 to In front of the stadium. Downtown Evanston shuttle. Ashland Avenue at Gate 1 (Southwest Gate).
Parking and tailgating at Ryan Field
Tailgating
Checked at the source
Every ticket includes the Great Chicago Food Festival on 200,000 square feet of grounds around the stadium, with live music, DJs and the Great Big Ten Grillout. You don't need a parking pass or a cooler. Chicago chefs including Rick Bayless, Stephanie Izard and Gibsons run pop-up pavilions in The Village. Willie's Fan Favorites sells hot dogs, burgers and nachos for $5 each through the New Ryan Field app. The festival opens two hours before kickoff, when gates open. Parking lots open four hours before. Sixteen Kevin O'Brien Tailgating Tents, each with a patio and room for 25 guests, can be reserved through [email protected].
Game day at Ryan Field
Getting in
Checked at the source
Bag policy: One bag per person up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches. It does not have to be clear. No backpacks of any kind, and no hard coolers or cases.
Cashless: Cashless concessions and retail. Reverse ATMs load cash onto a prepaid card. Alcohol sales end at the start of the fourth quarter, two drinks per purchase.
After the final whistle
Checked at the source
Take the train home. Metra and the CTA have been asked to add special trains and give fans a free ride home after the game. Shuttles pick up along Ashland Avenue.
One thing to avoid
From a specialist guide
Don't plan to park on the street. Evanston bans event day street parking in the neighborhoods around the stadium, and Canal Shores Golf Course parking is gone. Buy a lot pass on JustPark or take the train.
Food and drink at Ryan Field
Bars near the stadium
Checked at the source
Double Clutch Brewing Company, Google Maps
Double Clutch Brewing Company
2121 Ashland Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Big industrial brewery and restaurant with house beers and a rotating collection of classic cars.
Away fans: mixed crowd; the closest brewery to the stadium.
Sketchbook Brewing Co - Evanston, Google Maps
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
821 Chicago Ave., Evanston, IL 60202
Neighborhood taproom and brewery with games, live Irish music on Tuesdays and Saturday social events.
Away fans: family friendly brewery; relaxed for visiting fans.
Paul S. R. Chisholm, Google Maps
Ridgeville Tavern
1520 Sherman Ave., Evanston, IL
Neighborhood bar with tavern food, 20 beers on tap, craft cocktails and big screens for the game.
Away fans: neighborhood bar; good for watching other games.
Benson Avenue Tavern
1735 Benson Ave., Evanston, IL
Pub with deli-inspired food made with a fine dining approach. The kitchen closes an hour before the bar.
Away fans: pub crowd; a late bite after a night game.
Things to do around Ryan Field
Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.
Photo40 points
Deering Library on campus
This was Northwestern's main library from 1933 to 1970 and stands as a landmark on the lakeside Evanston campus.
Free. The day before
Landmark50 points
Grosse Point Light
This is Evanston's 1873 lighthouse on Lake Michigan, a National Historic Landmark.
Free. The day before
Eat90 points
The Great Chicago Food Festival
Every ticket gets you into the pregame festival around the new stadium, with Chicago chefs, live music, and $5 classics at Willie's.
$. 2 hours before kickoff
Landmark75 points
See the new Ryan Field
This will be the most expensive college football stadium ever built when it opens in 2026, with the standing Wildcat Wall student section and no seat more than 150 feet from the field.
Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff
Seats and views at Ryan Field
Where each part of the stadium sits, and what you see from it.
Main bowl100s; Section 114 is on the north side of the main concourseLoft level200s; Sections 221 and 235 sit on the Loft level west, Section 206 on the upper concourse eastCoveredTap any part of the stadium to see its view.
