Friday Night Lights in Evanston: Penn State to Open New Ryan Field Against Northwestern in Historic Matchup
Circle October 2 on your calendar - not just because it’s a Big Ten showdown under the lights, but because it marks a new era for Northwestern football. The Wildcats are set to host Penn State in the first-ever game at their brand-new Ryan Field, and it’s happening on a Friday night in prime time on either FOX or FS1. Kickoff time is still TBD, but the stakes and symbolism are already crystal clear.
Let’s set the scene: Northwestern has spent the last two seasons playing in a temporary setup along the shore of Lake Michigan while construction crews worked on transforming the old Ryan Field site into a state-of-the-art venue. Now, the Wildcats are finally ready to move back home - and they’re doing it in style.
This isn’t just a stadium opener. It’s a full-circle moment. The matchup against Penn State falls on the 100th anniversary of the first game ever played at the original Ryan Field, a century-long nod to the program’s past as it steps into its future.
Before the grand opening, Northwestern will host South Dakota State and Colorado at Northwestern Medical Field at Martin Stadium in September. But once mid-September rolls around, construction is expected to wrap, and the new Ryan Field will be ready to welcome fans for four Big Ten home games - plus one more non-conference matchup later in the season.
The numbers behind the project are as eye-popping as the matchup itself. The new stadium comes with a price tag of $862 million and will seat 35,000 fans - a more intimate setting than the 47,000-capacity of the previous version.
It’s a deliberate shift, aiming to enhance the fan experience while still delivering big-time college football atmosphere. For context, the last time Penn State visited Evanston in 2023, the crowd was announced at just over 25,000.
The Nittany Lions won that one handily, 41-13, closing the book on the old Ryan Field.
This time, the stakes feel different. Not only is it the debut of a new stadium, but it’s also a chance for Northwestern to showcase the program’s trajectory under head coach David Braun.
Now entering his fourth season, Braun has already led the Wildcats to two bowl appearances in three years. Last season, Northwestern went 7-6 overall and posted a solid 5-4 mark in Big Ten play - a bounce-back campaign that included a dramatic 22-21 win over Penn State at Beaver Stadium.
That game, as it turns out, was the final chapter in James Franklin’s tenure as head coach of the Nittany Lions.
Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson called the stadium opening “a defining moment” for the program, and he’s not wrong. Between the upgraded facilities, the national spotlight, and a Big Ten opponent like Penn State coming to town, this is more than just a game - it’s a statement.
As for Penn State, the Nittany Lions will enter the 2026 season with a fresh start under new leadership and a schedule that’s as intriguing as it is challenging. They’ll kick things off at home against Marshall on Sept. 5, a game that will also mark the debut of the newly renovated Beaver Stadium, which is undergoing a $700 million overhaul of its own.
After that, Penn State hits the road to face Temple on Sept. 12, then returns home to host Buffalo on Sept. 19. The Big Ten opener comes on Sept. 26 against Wisconsin at Beaver Stadium - a tone-setting matchup before heading to Evanston for the Friday night clash.
Here’s how the Nittany Lions’ full 2026 schedule shapes up:
Penn State 2026 Schedule (All times TBA):
- Sept. 5: vs. Marshall
- Sept. 12: at Temple
- Sept. 19: vs.
Buffalo
- Sept. 26: vs.
Wisconsin
- **Oct.
2 (Friday)**: at Northwestern
- Oct. 10: vs.
USC
- Oct. 17: at Michigan
- Oct. 24: BYE
- Oct. 31: vs. Purdue
- Nov. 7: at Washington
- Nov. 14: vs.
Minnesota
- Nov. 21: vs.
Rutgers
- Nov. 28: at Maryland
With marquee matchups against USC, Michigan, and Washington, and a prime-time visit to a brand-new stadium in Evanston, Penn State’s path through the 2026 season is loaded with opportunities - and potential pitfalls.
But for now, all eyes are on October 2. When the lights go on at the new Ryan Field and the Wildcats take the field for the first time in their new home, it won’t just be a football game - it’ll be the beginning of a new chapter in Northwestern’s story, and a crucial test for a Penn State team looking to redefine its own.