EVANSTON — I know. I know.
You probably don’t want to hear anything else about Penn State’s game at Northwestern.
But I promised on the podcast this week that I’d do one of these posts because Northwestern opened up the new Ryan Field. It’s not every day you get to experience a new football stadium on opening night and I want to share. And again, I made a promise on the podcast and I certainly don’t want to be another Penn State thing to let you down of late.
So even though you probably weren’t there, Did You Notice:
• The new Ryan Field felt like a bit of a fever dream if you ever went to the old one. It was everything the old Ryan Field was not.
It was sleek, modern and impressive in a way that only spending $850 million can get you. Essentially overnight, Northwestern went from having the worst Big Ten stadium of the 15 schools I’ve seen a Penn State game to to the best.
In particular, I was impressed by the sight lines throughout the stadium and not just at the seats. The 100 level is only a handful of rows deep. Quite frankly I’m not sure that the Bryce Jordan Center has sections as small as the 100 level of new Ryan Field.
Additionally, throughout virtually every step of the concourse, you can keep your eye on the action on the field. The open concept is something I’ve only seen at baseball stadiums and is an advantage if you want to grab food while the game is going on. That view also allows for a drink rail where it appears any fan can stand, meaning you can get 100-level views for 200-level prices if you get in the stadium earlier enough. That viewability continues at the 200, which appears to make up more seats overall.
• That viewability is a part of what appears to be the hallmark of the stadium. It is not just a place to watch the game but to hang out. Most noticeably, this could be seen in the various full-fledged bars. While they do not have seating, there were a number of them on both levels of the concourse.
Additionally, all of the bars sold were well-stocked not just with beer but hard liquor as well. As someone who watched way too many episodes of Bar Rescue, that is where the money is and seems to be an incredible way for Northwestern to tap into new revenue. In general, it seems the expectation for Northwestern football is to still be Northwestern football — even in spite of the beatdown it laid on Penn State Friday night. I don’t know everything about Penn State’s license and PA’s confusing liquor laws but I wonder if Penn State starts to press to get these beverages inside Beaver Stadium soon. There was serious money to be had there.
Cocktails ranged from $16.99 to $27.99 depending on alcohol choice and cup choice. Draft beer was $19.99 while canned beer was $13.99 for a domestic and $14.99 for a premium beer. Fans could also get wine and non-alcoholic beer as well.
• To access your tickets at Ryan Field, you need to log in through the New Ryan Field app. It is akin to the Penn State app many fans are familiar with. However, at several food stands, showing the app gets you a discount on select items.
We have made a lot about the prices at Beaver Stadium in recent weeks but for non-premium items, this app is a great idea for Penn State to steal. Show the app, get a discount, then fans are happy, then you have data you can use to market to fans. This is the type of value that shows Northwestern cares about the average fan that Penn State definitely misses the boat on at times.
That said, some of the prices were quite high, like paying more for a soda or water than at Beaver Stadium. A 20-ounce Dasani was $6.99. Other drinks ranged from $8.99 and up. At least in my experience, they do not have fountain sodas, only bottles. (Northwestern is a Coca-Cola school.) I also found Monster for sale in some locations.
Overall, the food selection at new Ryan Field was a massive improvement from the old one — where I got a burnt hot dog bun that I still laugh about — and is definitely the best in the Big Ten. (Though Maryland’s crab stands are top tier.)
There are three options available to fans, two of which are primarily grab-and-go kiosks. One featured typical stadium food of hot dogs, fries, chicken baskets and more. That one was also where fans could get a discount through the app or value-meal-type options.
Then Northwestern offered another grab-and-go kiosk that featured foods from the Chicago area, like Italian beef sandwiches, tavern-style pizza and Chicago dogs. They also offered Garrett’s Popcorn.
The third option was standalone kiosks throughout the stadium, centerpieced by the Great Chicago Food Festival, which only sold food from Chicago-area vendors. That created a ton of options for fans, including those with dietary restrictions. (My wife was quite excited to find vegan chili.) This was the bespoke nature that many feel is missing from Penn State’s gameday experience and yet another school that taps into its regionality.
Once again, there was emphasis from Northwestern on the experience and not necessarily the game.
• We sat in the 200 level for the game and as the sun set, it was difficult to remember that we were at a stadium that was outside. Because Northwestern built the stadium with a massive overhang, and the sky was pitch black, there was a sensation of being inside despite that.
Overall, the stadium reminded me of some of the MLS stadiums popping up around the country with touches of the Atlanta Falcons Mercedes Benz Stadium as well. That combination makes a lot of sense for what they are trying to do with that stadium.
• The focus on experience away from the field was the starkest change. In part because the Northwestern band did not take the field pregame and because there were a lot of pyrotechnics, it felt much more like a professional game than a college game. As more of a purist in some areas of tradition and atmosphere, I didn’t love that. College football should feel like college football and it didn’t at times. But it was still a very smooth run of show.
I also recognize why that style works for them. But Penn State does a better job of toeing the line between the game and the stuff around the game.
• Northwestern showed game-stat leaders for both teams and was very quick to update stats in-game. That was unfortunate as I watched Penn State’s rushing yards allowed total increase but a great add that is something Penn State hasn’t done a great job at with its many, many ribbon boards.
• Northwestern seemed to strategically place the away section directly next to the student section and that was a good level of pettiness I like. The student section’s standing rail à la European soccer stadiums was also a smart idea. I am surprised that Penn State hasn’t considered something like that, from a safety perspective, for its student section.
And credit to Northwestern students. They were loud.
• Speaking of loud, the stadium sound is out of this world. There is intense clarity in the music and the PA system. Because of the overhang, Northwestern can place more speakers throughout the stadium so it is not all coming out of one end like Beaver Stadium. It was striking just how loud it was because my ears were still ringing by Saturday evening.
• There were three subtle details I noticed. The first was that this is not just Northwestern’s football home. It’s Northwestern’s athletics home. Throughout the stadium, there are images from big, recent moments in Northwestern athletics. They seem to also have functionality to be replaced and updated as well.
• The second was in the bathroom. Each sink has Northwestern and Ryan Field branding on its spout. That was a small detail I enjoyed.
• The third was various murals and art throughout the stadium. Penn State has done a bit more with this, particularly at Gate F and I would love to see more of these touches.
Overall, the stadium is perfect for what Northwestern needs and should set new precedents for what other schools can provide. That said, Beaver Stadium and its familiar traditions are what make it a college stadium. That doesn’t mean Penn State can’t take note of what Northwestern has in a lot of other ways. But ahead of its $700 million renovation, Northwestern did raise the bar for Penn State in terms of accessibility to things like food and more.
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