Ryan Field Getting Renovated


We had a blast in 2019. Did a day trip. Yes the stadium was half full but there were a lot of Gopher fans. We asked the locals where to go after the game that was close, and they directed us to two bars within a short walk. Both were full but not packed, and had a good mix of Gopher and Wildcat fans. Had a few drinks and appetizers while chatting it up with others there. Did rideshare from the airport right to the stadium, and then from the bar back to the airport. Super fun!
Don't even need a bag. Like an hour flight each way. If it all worked out, indeed sounds like a good way to do it.
 

Can't think of a better use for $480 million...
😯😯😯
I doubt it's all for the stadium and/or athletics facilities. Hopefully a lot in there for endowments, academics, etc.
 


I found flights from MSP getting to Ohare at 8am leaving at 9pm for 87$ with no bags -- definitely tempting as gas alone costs me ~60 to drive.
Especially if you could get a solid group to go, split a van in Chicago both ways.
 



They will spend 30 million on polishing aluminum benches and 450 million on speaker stacks and a hologram wildcat display for every good Northwestern play.
 

I found flights from MSP getting to Ohare at 8am leaving at 9pm for 87$ with no bags -- definitely tempting as gas alone costs me ~60 to drive.
I saw that, too. Waiting for a game time to pull the trigger.
 

I found flights from MSP getting to Ohare at 8am leaving at 9pm for 87$ with no bags -- definitely tempting as gas alone costs me ~60 to drive.
What airline? Delta's last flight out is around 6 PM...
 



What airline? Delta's last flight out is around 6 PM...
United both ways -- lowest I see is 97 right now.

6:30 - 8:06 Leaving
9:15 - 10:50 Returning

Edit: I found the flight on google flights yesterday -- but I was still able to find it on Kayak for 10$ more today.
 

Maybe as part of the renovation they will fix the section of seats that don't even face the field. You have to basically turn your entire body in your seat if you want to be facing the field of play.
 

Maybe as part of the renovation they will fix the section of seats that don't even face the field. You have to basically turn your entire body in your seat if you want to be facing the field of play.

Camp Randall is that way for the visitors section with the bonus that they don't face the field and are cantilevered second deck hanging out of the stadium
 

This is concerning. I've come to expect $6 tickets to get in the door. Then, I head to the 40 yard line where I still can sprawl out.
#keepryanasis
 



This is concerning. I've come to expect $6 tickets to get in the door. Then, I head to the 40 yard line where I still can sprawl out.
#keepryanasis
My wife likes to buy tickets for away games through the ticket office so that she can increase her gopher score -- but when the U wants 50/ticket for Northwestern and I can get in for 21$ with fees its an easy decision
 

My wife likes to buy tickets for away games through the ticket office so that she can increase her gopher score -- but when the U wants 50/ticket for Northwestern and I can get in for 21$ with fees its an easy decision
If it helps you out, you can tell her that buying away game tickets doesn't impact her Gopher Score.
 

United both ways -- lowest I see is 97 right now.

6:30 - 8:06 Leaving
9:15 - 10:50 Returning

Edit: I found the flight on google flights yesterday -- but I was still able to find it on Kayak for 10$ more today.
Thanks.
 

I saw that, too. Waiting for a game time to pull the trigger.
That game is almost assuredly going to be an 11 am start. I believe Ryan Field has no permanent lights for night games. This is a tempting idea. One of my best friends lives in Evanston.
 
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Not all the $480 million is for the football stadium.

"The gift from the Ryans, whose names are on both Northwestern's football stadium and basketball arena, will include funds for other university projects but will serve as the lead gift for a stadium rebuild."
 

Interesting read about some history of the stadium...
 

I've been to 5 Gopher games at Ryans Field (07, 09, 11, 17, 19) and enjoyed myself each time. It's a dumpy no frills stadium but the sight lines are great and you get get a ticket for $5.

Evanston is quiet but still a fun town.
 

I visited Ryan Field once. It was about as electric as a potato. The pre-game atmosphere consisted of a hot dog stand (solid hot dog sandwich) and I saw 1 person carrying a case of beer. There weren't bars or restaurants nearby to drink at. It was a miserable experience and somehow more miserable game. The highlight was going back to Chicago.
I had a blast at Ryan Field in 2019. Ton of Gopher fans made the trip. Ya, it's a dump but it's a fun away trip for Gopher fans.
 

I've been to 5 Gopher games at Ryans Field (07, 09, 11, 17, 19) and enjoyed myself each time. It's a dumpy no frills stadium but the sight lines are great and you get get a ticket for $5.

Evanston is quiet but still a fun town.
How are you getting tickets for $5?
 

$480M...Twice the cost of TCF and almost half the cost of US Bank Stadium or other brand new NFL stadiums. Steep to renovate a place that's just poured concrete and bleachers for the most part. But it's kind of the Ryans to buy the rest of the Big Ten fans a nice place to visit.

Plenty of money now to buy a lawn mower.
The $480M is not just for the football stadium. I'll bet 10% at most, which is still a lot.
 



I am trying convince my brother to go the game this year, in and out in one day. It's one of the last B1G stadiums I haven't been too -- my wife and I were supposed to finally get Indiana out of the way this year but she due two weeks prior.
So just buy an extra ticket............... Child birth is no excuse!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

After one of our trips to Ryan field, while walking around campus, we saw a couple of college students and asked where the bars were. They looked at us like we were crazy and after a lengthy pause of looking at each other, responded with "we don't know". Only Northwestern.
Then they whispered to each other "Those heathens, barbarians. I bet they eat meat too."
 







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