November 2025
Northwestern University and the Turner-Walsh Joint Venture celebrate topping out of New Ryan Field
Evanston, Illinois - Northwestern University and the Turner-Walsh Joint Venture recently marked a major construction milestone with the topping out of the new Ryan Field. The ceremony celebrated the completion of the stadium’s structural phase, an significant step in delivering one of the most advanced collegiate venues in the country.
More than 400 construction workers, University leaders, city officials, and members of the Ryan family gathered to witness the placement of the final steel beam. Signed by team members, architects, engineers, and trade partners, the beam symbolized the collective expertise, teamwork, and craftsmanship driving the $850 million project forward.
Speakers included Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Northwestern Athletic Director Mark Jackson, and members of the Ryan family, who recognized the skilled workforce and the project’s broader impact. “There’s never been anything like this in the history of college athletics, and it separates itself on so many different fronts,” said Jackson.
The Ryan family, whose leadership and generosity have guided the project, expressed gratitude to the construction teams and community partners. “It’ll be the most intimate stadium in America,” said Pat Ryan Jr., CEO of Ryan Sports Development. “That’s because of the incredible engineering that went into it, but also the incredible craftsmanship.”
Scheduled to open in 2026, the new Ryan Field is set to become one of the most accessible and sustainable college stadiums in the nation, with plans for LEED Gold certification, integrated green spaces, and welcoming public plazas that enhance the fan and community experience.