History
Ryan Field opened in 1926 and seats 47,130. It is located away from the main Northwestern University campus and south of Welsh-Ryan Arena. The stadium had artificial turf from 1973 to 1996 and switched to natural grass for the 1997 season – the same year the name of the stadium changed from Dyche Stadium to Ryan Field.

When the NFL wanted the Chicago Bears to move out of Wrigley Field, the Bears hosted their first game of the 1970 season at Dyche Stadium as an experiment. However, the permanent move was blocked by Evanston residents and the Bears moved to Soldier Field.

Directions
From the North: 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.
From the South: 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.
Alternate Route from the South: 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.
From the West/ O'Hare Airport: 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.
Alternate Exit from I-294 and I-94: 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.

Parking
Parking is unavailable in the official Ryan Field parking lots near the stadium. Free parking is available in the streets surrounding the stadium but it is difficult to find a parking spot as game time approaches. One street that is free, parking spots are available and is a relatively close walk to the stadium is Milburn St. off of Sherman Ave.

Public Transportation
CTA: Ride the Purple CTA line to the Central Street train station, 2 blocks east of Ryan Field.
Metra: The Central Street Metra Station is also conveniently located 2 blocks to the west of Ryan Field at 1601 Central Street.

Location of Ticket Scalpers
Ticket scalpers are located along Central St. from the CTA Central Street station to the main box offices of Ryan Field.