Northwestern University officially opened the new Ryan Field — an $875 million, 35,000-seat football stadium — for the Big Ten opener against Penn State Friday night.
Generations of fans piled into the massive structure in Evanston to celebrate a new era of Wildcats football.
Zak Shapiro waits for food on opening day at Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field football stadium on Friday as the Wildcats host Penn State.
Fans walk into the new Ryan Field for the home opener between Northwestern and Penn State in Evanston.
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Mike Curran, a season ticket holder, readies a bratwurst on a grill at Ryan Field for the home opener between Northwestern and Penn State in Evanston.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A group of fans rush to enter the new Ryan Field for Northwestern’s home opener versus Penn State.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The new Ryan Field was the site of Northwestern’s first game at its new football stadium. The Wildcats hosted Penn State for the Big Ten opener on Friday.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans walk around Ryan Field for the home opener between Northwestern and Penn State. Friday marked the official football game at the stadium in Evanston.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The Northwestern marching band plays outside Ryan Field for the home opener between Northwestern and Penn State.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans order drinks at one of several bars on opening night at Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field on Friday.
Fans gather for free food samples outside Northwestern University’s Ryan Field on Friday for the Wildcats’ home opener against Penn State.
Views of the field on opening day at Northwestern University’s New Ryan Field stadium on Friday as the Wildcats host Penn State. | Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Northwestern University fans cheer as their football team takes the field for the first time at Ryan Field.