Saturday Game Day at Ryan Field: What Community Members Need to Know

The Northwestern Wildcats are hosting Ball State in a Homecoming football game this Saturday, October 10, with a kickoff at 11:30 a.m. and an expected attendance of around 17,000. Residents, businesses, and visitors in the surrounding area should plan for increased traffic, pedestrian activity, noise, and parking demand throughout the afternoon and evening.

Expect Increased Traffic & Parking Demand

With thousands of people traveling to the stadium, vehicular and pedestrian traffic will be heavier than normal, particularly in the hours leading up to and following the game.

• District 6 parking restrictions will be in effect two hours before the event and remain in effect for one hour after the event concludes. Vehicles parked in restricted neighborhood areas may receive a ticket. The fine for such citations is $125.
  
  
• “Tow Zone” signs supersede all other signage and restrictions
  
  
• Long Field parking will be activated and available for game-day parking.
  
  
• City parking garages are available for visitors looking for additional parking options:
  
  
• 525 Church Street
• 1800 Maple Avenue
• 821 Davis Street
• Parking reservations at City garages can be made through SpotHero.
  
  
• Tailgating is not permitted inside City parking garages.
  
  
• Residents should allow additional time when traveling through the stadium area and consider potential delays.

Road closures, traffic management, and turn restrictions on major thoroughfares surrounding Ryan Field will be in place to facilitate traffic flow. Towed vehicles will be taken to North Shore Towing.

The following are tow zones:

• Central Street: Expect heavy delays and increased pedestrian traffic along the Central Street corridor throughout the afternoon and evening.
  
  
• Asbury Avenue (Isabella Street to Central Street): Local traffic and resident parking restrictions will be active. Additional turn restrictions and signage are deployed to prevent unauthorized event parking while preserving resident access.
  
  
• Poplar Avenue: Traffic control measures will be in place to manage neighborhood access and limit cut-through traffic heading toward the stadium.
  
  
• Isabella Street: District 6 parking restrictions will be strictly enforced along key blocks to maintain emergency vehicle clearance and smooth traffic flow.
  
  
• Jackson Street: from Central Street to Lincoln Street on the East side of the street.

Stadium Activity

Ryan Field staff will begin shuttling to Ryan Field Stadium from garages and parking lots at 3 a.m. 

Game Day Run-of-Show

• Kickoff: 11:30 a.m.
• Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
• Parking and Shuttles will open at 7 a.m.

Ryan Field has released a "Know Before You Go" webpage. Please note that this webpage is being updated and information is subject to change. 

Expect Increased Noise

Residents near Ryan Field should be prepared for additional noise throughout the day and evening.

• Pyrotechnics will take place as part of pre-game activities, at Northwestern Wildcats touchdowns, at the 1st-half kickoff, at the 3rd-quarter break, and in the case of a Northwestern Wildcats Victory.
  
  
• In addition to the game itself, residents may hear increased announcements, music, crowd noise, and other stadium-related activity.
  
  
• Ryan Field staff will actively work to clear the venue and surrounding neighborhood after the game, though residents should expect ongoing vehicular and pedestrian traffic for up to two hours.

Planning Ahead

If you live, work, or plan to travel near Ryan Field on Friday, expect the area around the stadium to be busier than usual. If possible, avoid the area beginning at 9 a.m. 

To help things go smoothly:

• Allow extra travel time
  
  
• Walk, bike, or take public transportation when you can
  
  
• If you're driving, park in a City garage and reserve a space in advance through SpotHero
  
  
• Follow posted parking restrictions and directions from public safety personnel

Ongoing Stadium Noise

Alarm testing at Ryan Field will continue Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. over the next week. At City management's request, testing will be limited to these days and hours. View the City’s notice. 

Questions About Ryan Field: Opt-in to Text Alerts

• For questions or concerns related to game-day operations at Ryan Field, contact info@newryanfield.com.
  
  
• Opt in to receive text alerts from Ryan Field
  
  
• Download the Ryan Field app on Google Play or the Apple Store. 

311 Center

The 311 Center will be open between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

For more information, call/text 847-448-4311 or simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston.