Northwestern Reportedly Still Seeking Locations for Several Home Football Games in 2024

With construction happening at Ryan Field, Northwestern's football team needs a home stadium for several games in 2024. Per reports, the Wildcats plan to host Indiana at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 5 and will play Ohio State at Wrigley Field on Nov. 16.

Northwestern is scrambling a bit to secure locations for home games on its 2024 football schedule, according to an update from Wildcat Report. Because the demolition of Ryan Field has already started, the Wildcats are going to have to play their home contests in a different venue this upcoming season, which could include Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, SeatGeek Stadium and Soldier Field. 

With kickoff now seven months away, Northwestern still hasn't signed contracts for any of the seven home games on the schedule, per the report. There's even a possibility that the team's season-opener — currently scheduled for Aug. 31 against Miami (Ohio) — could be moved to a different date.

Here's a look at Northwestern's home games in 2024:

• Aug. 31, 2024: vs. Miami (Ohio)
• Sept. 7, 2024: vs. Duke
• Sept. 14, 2024: vs. Eastern Illinois
• Oct. 5, 2024: vs. Indiana
• Oct. 19, 2024: vs. Wisconsin
• Nov. 16, 2024: vs. Ohio State
• Nov. 30, 2024: vs. Illinois

According to Wildcat Report, two games are "pretty much set" at this time. Northwestern will host Indiana at SeatGeek Stadium on Oct. 5. 

Then, on Nov. 16, the plan is to play Ohio State at historic Wrigley Field (home of MLB's Chicago Cubs). After that? It's still a work in progress.

The idea of Northwestern playing Wisconsin on Oct. 19 at Lambeau Field (home of the NFL's Green Bay Packers) has been kicked around. That possibility has been met with some pushback, as the Wildcats would essentially be surrendering a home game to the Badgers in that scenario.

In this situation, Northwestern may not have many other options.

Ryan Field is undergoing an $800 million reconstruction, forcing Northwestern to get creative with its home game schedule next season. 

Northwestern finished the 2023 season with an 8-5 record under interim coach David Braun. He earned the permanent job as head coach after his success last fall.

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