Public Transportation to Ryan Field
2012 Ryan Field Public Transit Guide 
CTA:
Ride the Purple CTA line to the Central Street train station, 2 blocks east of Ryan Field. Parking is available at both the Howard and Linden Stations.
Metra:
The Central Street Metra Station is also conveniently located 2 blocks to the west of Ryan Field at 1601 Central Street. Fare varies.
Pace Bus:
Pace's Northwestern Ryan Field Express swiftly moves fans from the FREE Schaumburg Park-n-Ride (near Woodfield Mall) to Ryan Field, arriving at the game 1 hour before kickoff. Take a fast ride and leave plenty of time for tailgating for just $4 each way, per person. Routes 213 and 250 also provide service to Northwestern for $1.75 each way, per person.
For more detailed information on the CTA, Metra and Pace please call 836-7000 from any Chicagoland area code (312, 847, 708, 630, 773, 224).
Parking
Directions
From the North: From the South: Alternate Route from the South: From the West/ O'Hare Airport: Alternate Exit from I-294 and I-94:
Northwestern University Shuttle Information
The major streets at the stadium are closed temporarily to vehicular traffic at the end of the game due to the large number of fans walking east from the stadium. Buses must stay in the lot until 15 minutes after the end of the game. Staff at the lot will release buses at the appropriate time.
This allows the majority of pedestrians to clear the stadium area before the buses return (about 30 minutes after the end of the game).
Buses returning early are a hazard and will not be allowed in the stadium area.
RV Parking is allowed in Lot 108, which is located just north of the Lakeside Soccer Field. Follow Lincoln Street east, past Sheridan Road, to the second stop sign just beyond the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion.
PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFE AND EFFICIENT OPERATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
Questions about this information? Call (847) 491-7887.
Advance Ticket Sales/General Ticket Information Alcoholic Beverages ATMs Automobile Trouble Away Games B
On the west side, baby changing stations can be found in the women's restrooms near the following sections: 128, 130, 228, upper 129, the North Tower and South Tower.
Bag Search Banners & Signs Birthday Messages Bottles & Cans Broadcast C
Cellular Phones
Children Community Relations
Community Relations
If you have further questions, please contact the Community Relations Department by emailing catsgiveback@northwestern.edu or by calling 847-467-3302.
Concessions
Corporate Sponsorships D
Disabled Parking Disabled Seating
E Emergency Procedures
F
G Group Tickets Guest Conduct
Guest Services Booths (BMO Harris Helper Stations)
H
I
J Kid's Club
L
M Northwestern University (Mailing Address)
O Out of Town Scores
P Programs Prohibited Items Storage of these items for guests will not be provided.
Promotional Items/ Dates Public Address
Q
R Recycling Bins Re-entry Relocation Policy Restrooms
S Season Tickets Service Dogs Smoking Souvenirs Strollers Summer Camps
T Telephones Ticket Replacement
Travel
U
V
W
The will call windows are located near the Athletic Ticket Office next to Gate K.
NU player guest tickets are located at Gate Q.
NU player guest tickets are located at Gate N.
Visitor player guest tickets are located at Gate E.
Press will call is located at Gate N.
Willie the Wildcat
X
Y
ZFootball Parking & Directions
Take I-94 to Skokie Blvd/ Route 41 Exit. Exit ramp becomes Skokie Boulevard. Continue south to Lake Avenue (2nd traffic light). Turn left on Lake Avenue and proceed east to Sheridan Road and continue south to football parking lots.
Take I-90/94. Where I-90 and I-94 split, take I-94 towards Milwaukee. Follow I-94 to Dempster Street east and proceed east on Dempster Street to Chicago Avenue. Turn left onto Chicago Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Take Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. Continue north on Sheridan Road until you arrive at the Evanston Campus. Proceed to the football parking lots.
Take I-55, I-88 or I-90 to I-294. Follow I-294 north to Dempster Street east. Proceed east on Dempster Street to Chicago Avenue. Turn left on Chicago Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Take Touhy Avenue east and proceed to McCormick Boulevard. Turn left on McCormick Boulevard and proceed north to Dempster Street. Turn right on Dempster Street and proceed east to Forest Avenue. Turn left on Forest Avenue and proceed north to football parking lots.
Free NU Shuttle Bus Service
Charter Bus Regulations
RV Parking
Football Fan Guide from A to Z
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
The Athletic Ticket Office is open weekdays August through April 9 a.m. to 5 p.m and May through July 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at the south end of Ryan Field on Central Street. On game days, the ticket office opens three (3) hours prior to kickoff and remains open for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the game. For further information, please call 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) or email us at cat-tix@northwestern.edu.
Alcoholic Beverages are prohibited in Ryan Field
ATM's are located inside Ryan Field near Gate E, Gate Q, and by the elevators on the Mezzanine Level.
A guest who experiences automobile trouble while parked in a University lot should contact a University police officer or call the University Police at (847) 491-3456. In an emergency, please contact the University Police at 911.
Away game tickets are only available to season ticket holders and NU Athletic Department Donors. The Northwestern Alumni Association does sponsor away game tailgates, which include a game ticket. For more information, please go to
http://alumni.northwestern.edu/tailgates2012
Baby Changing Stations
On the East side, Baby Changing stations can be found in the Women's restrooms near the following sections: 105, 107, 110, and upper 111. They can be found in the Men's restrooms near sections 105, upper 111, and upper 108.
Ryan Field regulations prohibit cans, bottles, large ice chests, food, drinks and alcoholic beverages from being brought into the stadium. All bags are subject to search upon entry and within the stadium. All prohibited items may be disposed of in trash containers or returned to one's vehicle.
Banners and signs are prohibited in Ryan Field. Guests will be asked to dispose of signs and banners in trash containers or return them to their vehicle.
Wildcat fans enjoy celebrating their birthdays at Ryan Field. Now you can make the day even more special when you place birthday wishes on the scoreboard for everyone to see. For more information, please contact an account executive at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).
Bottles and cans are prohibited in Ryan Field. Guests will be asked to dispose of bottles and cans in a trash container.
Television broadcasts and times are generally announced ten days prior to the game. Please contact the Media Services Department at (847) 491-7503 for more information.
Cameras
Large lens cameras are prohibited but still cameras may be used at any time. However, flash photography is not permitted as it may interrupt play. Please be courteous and do not disturb other guests when taking pictures.
Use of cellular phones is permitted providing their use does not interfere with another guest's ability to enjoy the atmosphere of Ryan Field.
All persons, regardless of age, must hold a ticket. For children ages 2 and under, a $10 "lap ticket" is available only on the day of the game.
If your nonprofit organization is seeking a donation of game tickets, please send a formal letter of request to:
NU Athletic Department
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
Concession stands are located throughout Ryan Field in the concourse area.
Grills can be found near Gate N and Section 113
Hecky's BBQ can be found near Section 116
Coffee can be found near Gate P and R and Section 108 and 114
For information regarding corporate sponsorships, please contact the Marketing Department at (847) 491-7504.
Disabled Guest Drop Off
The drop-off area is on Ashland Avenue near gate Q.
Single game disabled parking is in the front row of the west parking lot. Single game disabled parking is limited and offered on a first come, first served basis. Season permit disabled parking is located in the southwest and southeast corners of Ryan Field. Entrance is via Central Street in front of the Athletic Ticket Office.
Disabled seating is located in rows 1-4 of sections 107 through 109 on the east side of the field, in rows 1-4 of sections 128-130 on the west side, and in rows 36-38 of section 126 on the west side.
Elevators
Elevators are located on the west side of the field between Gates N and S. Elevator access is restricted to members of the working media holding credentials, Wildcat Den and Stadium Club ticketholders, and elderly and disabled fans with "elevator access" stamped tickets.
In the event of an emergency at Ryan Field, please follow the directions from ushers. If an emergency requires evacuation from the stadium, directions will be given over the public address system. Please contact an usher if you have any questions.
First Aid
First Aid is located by Gate R on the west side of the stadium. Paramedic stations are located on the northwest and southwest corners of the playing field.
Gates open
Gates open one hour and thirty minutes prior to kick off. Please enter the stadium through the gate indicated on your ticket. NU undergraduate students must enter through Gate T.
Group tickets and seating are available for most games. Please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) or refer to the General Ticket Information portion of our website.
Northwestern Wildcat football should be an enjoyable experience for all fans. In order to promote athletic excellence and fan enjoyment, we ask for your assistance in displaying a high degree of respect and sportsmanship at all times. If a patron displays conduct which endangers or disrupts players, coaches, officials, or other patrons, Northwestern University reserves the right to remove the individual from Ryan Field. No refunds will be granted in such cases.
Guest Services representatives can be found near Gate R, Gate E and on Randy Walker Terrace. All guests with a question or concern are encouraged to visit a BMO Harris Bank Helper Station for assistance.
Hotel Accommodations
Please check out our Travel Center for hotel information.
Infant Tickets
Per Big Ten Conference rules, all guests must purchase a ticket regardless of age, even babies. Northwestern has created a $10 infant "lap ticket" available for purchase on gameday only.
Join the Wildcat Family by supporting the Wildcat Fund
The Wildcat Fund exists to help provide scholarship and other vital assistance to student athletes competing in varsity intercollegiate sports. The strength of an athletic department's annual fund often correlates to the strength of the department and its athletic programs. In addition to providing outstanding experience for deserving young men and women, your contribution to the Wildcat Fund will result in certain benefits for you. Please contact the Development Office at (847) 467-2101 for more specific information on benefits, contribution levels, and the Wildcat Priority Point System.
Do you know a child in 8th grade and under who loves the Wildcats? Sign them up to be a part of Willie's Kids' Club! Willie's Kids' Club members receive special Wildcat gifts, free tickets to events as well as opportunities to meet student-athletes, be the PA announcer at a baseball game or retrieve the tee at a football game. If you would like more information about the Willie's Kids' Club or to request a membership application, please contact the Willie's Kids' Club Office at (847) 491-7504 or via email at wildcatmarketing@northwestern.edu.
Lost & Found
Lost items may be turned into the Athletic Ticket Office at the south end of Ryan Field, or the ushering service headquarters in the McGaw Hall lobby. All unclaimed items will be turned into the NU Athletic Facilities Office at (847) 491-7887.
Merchandise
Grab all your favorite Wildcat merchandise at the Wildcat Athletics Merchandise stands located by Gates F and P in the outer concourse of the stadium, and by Gate N outside of the stadium.
Marketing Department
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
On-field Access
Only authorized personnel will be permitted on the field before, during, or after a game. Any unauthorized person going onto the field will be removed from the stadium and subject to arrest.
Out of town scores (scores from around the Big Ten and Top 25) will be posted on the scoreboards during various times of the game.
Parking
"The Den" is the official game program of Wildcat Football and available from vendors and hawkers throughout Ryan Field for $6. This season, game programs are being sold by members of the Wildcat Softball Team, and a portion of the sales will benefit Wildcat Softball.
Spectators are prohibited from bringing the following items into Ryan Field:
*No alcoholic beverages
*No umbrellas
*No noisemakers, musical instruments or horns
*No banners, flags, or signs
*No video cameras, large televisions, large lens cameras, tripods, or large radios
*No cans, glasses, thermoses, picnic baskets, ice chests, wine skins, food, drinks or coolers
*No large purses, bags, or backpacks
Promotional items have individual restrictions and give away dates are subject to change without prior notice. Please remember that a game ticket does not ensure or entitle the holder to a promotional item on that date and that only one item will be distributed per person. Please be considerate of other guests by taking only one promotional item.
No appeals will be made over the public address system except under extraordinary circumstances. Requests of an emergency nature should be addressed to the nearest usher or to security personnel.
Questions
Questions not answered in this fan guide may be directed to the Athletic Ticket Office at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) or via email at cat-tix@northwestern.edu.
Radios/ Televisions
Large radios and large televisions are not permitted in Ryan Field.
Guests are encouraged to recycle their soda and water bottles in the recycling bins throughout the concourse. Recycling bins are also located throughout the parking lots for those tailgating.
Patrons who choose to leave Ryan Field during the game will not be allowed to re-enter.
NU Athletics reserves the right to enforce reserved seating if crowd control or safety issues dictate the necessity. The University reserves the right to relocate ticket holder(s) to an alternate seat location(s) at its discretion based upon conduct, apparel or other reasons.
Restrooms are located throughout Ryan Field. All restrooms are handicap accessible.
Schedules
Pocket schedules are available at the Athletic Ticket Office or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775).
Please contact the Athletic Ticket Office at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) for information regarding prices or seat locations, or refer to the ticket portion of this website.
Animals are not permitted within Ryan Field with the exception of certified service dogs for guests with disabilities. Please contact the NU Athletic Facilities Office at 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775) to make arrangements prior to the game.
Smoking is NOT permitted anywhere at Ryan Field. We ask for your cooperation in enforcing this policy.
Grab all your favorite Wildcat souvenirs at the Wildcat Athletics Merchandise stands located by Gates F and P in the outer concourse of the stadium, and by Gate N outside of the stadium.
Strollers are allowed in Ryan Field, but not in the seating area. Strollers may be left at Gate R on the West side of the stadium or Gate E on the east side.
For more information about the variety of camps our coaches offer please visit: http://www.nusports.com/camps/nw-camps.html.
Tailgating
Tailgating is permitted in the east and west lots as well as the north and south golf lots (permit only). Guests who do not hold a parking pass for these lots may park in the campus lots where tailgating is permitted as well. Please refer to the parking portion of the website for all campus lot locations.
Public pay phones are located in the outer concourses by Gates N, Q and S on the west side and Gates D, F and G on the east side.
Lost, stolen or destroyed tickets will be replaced for a $10 fee.
Please see our Travel section!
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are not permitted in Ryan Field. There will be no umbrella check available to guests.
Video cameras
Video cameras are not permitted in Ryan Field and no storage will be provided for guests. Video cameras are not permitted due to contractual obligations between the Big Ten Conference and television networks.
Will Call (Open 3 hours prior to kickoff)
Everyone must have a Photo ID in order to pick up Will Call and Player Guest Tickets. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Third party will call (ticket drop offs) will not be accepted.
The Wildcat mascot was developed in three stages. The nickname "Wildcats" was initiated in 1924. Nine years later, in 1933, the Northwestern Athletic Department teamed up with an advertising firm to create the first caricature of Willie. In 1947, the first mascot was actually brought to life when four members of the Alpha Delta fraternity dressed up as Willie for their Homecoming float.
X's & O's
X's & O's and all Wildcat action can be heard on WGN AM Radio 720.
Youth Camps
Youth camps are typically held during the summer.
Zero
Zero places are better than Ryan Field to enjoy a game!
