Do not adjust your television set. Do not question your sanity. Yes, that is a lake that you can see through the side of what should be a stadium wall as you watch the Northwestern Wildcats this fall. Something beautiful has been created by the lakeside, but why is Northwestern playing in a temporary stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan?
Inside Northwestern’s Lakeside Field
Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium is the temporary stadium home of the Northwestern college football team, starting in the 2024 stadium.
While Ryan Field is being rebuilt, the program had to find a part-time solution to a substantial housing problem. Amongst several options, building a temporary stadium on the site of the existing practice field emerged as the best one.
With seating areas constructed behind each end zone alongside the existing seating for the lacrosse/soccer stadium and some 1,200 bleacher seats on the unique east side that straddles the shore of Lake Michigan, Northwestern’s temporary stadium hosts just 12,000 people on game day.
By comparison, Ryan Field held 47,130 before being knocked down. The new facility, when it opens, will hold 35,000.
Despite this, Northwestern fans wanting to experience a game in luxury are in for a treat. According to an ESPN report, the temporary stadium features nearly double the premium seating as the original home stadium.
Various seating options are available and can you really put a price on that view across the lake? There are also some unique tailgate opportunities.
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For Northwestern, the construction of a temporary stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan has benefits that far outweigh the reduced capacity.
Other relocation options came with substantial logistical or scheduling concerns, and keeping the football program on campus allows the program to remain connected to the university in a unique way.
How Long Will Northwestern Be Playing on Lake Michigan?
The simple answer to that question is two years. Northwestern announced that the $800 million rebuild of Ryan Field should be completed in time for the 2026 college football campaign.
In the early stages, the program only sought a new home for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Now they’ve settled on the temporary stadium on the shores of Lake Michigan, that shouldn’t timeline shouldn’t change.
However, there is some nuance to that answer. One of the options considered full-time for the Wildcats during the process will be used in the 2024 season.
While Northwestern will play in the temporary stadium for their opening five games, the Wildcats’ matchups with Ohio State and Illinois will take place at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the home of the Chicago Cubs.
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