Questions about going to game at Northwestern

Submitted by UM2k1 on

I am going to be making my first foray to Ryan Field this fall, and have questions for those that have been before...

Is it better to buy tickets from Michigan as a part of the season ticket renewal, or could I get a better price by just going and buying tickets at the game? I know Northwestern has a reputation for having more Michigan fans at the game than home fans, but I don't know if this is true, or might there actually be a problem getting tickets in Evanston?

Thanks for any help the board may be able to offer.

chitownblue2

April 25th, 2011 at 9:12 AM ^

I've been to four games at Ryan Field, and have just bought my tickets from the NW ticket office every game.

It has been 100% true that more Michigan fans attend than NW fans in the past, but the last time we played their was prior to the RR decline, and before Fitzgerald got them upper-division finishes in 3 straight years - so, I don't know if that still holds true, though I'd imagine it does.

Tim

April 25th, 2011 at 9:45 AM ^

Northwestern's attendance took a huge leap last year over the previous 4-5 years (most likely a product of playing several teams with strong Chicago alumni bases at home), but it's still a far cry from selling out their stadium. I imagine they sell out for the Michigan/Michigan State/Ohio State-type games, and are practically empty when they play the likes of Rice.

MGoKalamazoo

April 26th, 2011 at 9:34 AM ^

Indeed they are. I visited Chicago for a conference and hung out with a few of my NW buddies for a long weekend stay. We went to the NW - Central Michigan game. I remember the attendance being announced at 30,000+ and we laughed in our drunken stuper. The Ryan Field had 1/4 capacity at best. Still a good time.  Good game, bought lame tickets and walked to wherever we felt like watching the game.

iheartlarryfoote

April 25th, 2011 at 9:26 AM ^

I absolutely love going to games at Ryan field.  I went in '03, '05 and '07 and will probably go again this year.  Every seat is good and tailgating is easy because their lots are free, it's awesome.  I would say definitely do not buy your tickets through either school.  Ebay, stubhub or scalping at the venue are all way better.  I sat in the front row for below face in '05.  In '07 I had friends get tickets for free from fans outside the stadium.  If you do it one of those three ways you won't pay more than $30.

Bosch

April 25th, 2011 at 9:43 AM ^

Not because you have to worry about getting bad seats, but because you are assured to be surrounded by a large group of other Michigan season ticket holders. 

You'll get put in the north east side of the stadium, which is near there open air, elevated concourse at the north end zone.  If you feel like stretching your legs, you can head up there, grab some snacks, and catch the game from a different perspective.

 

ChalmersE

April 25th, 2011 at 9:55 AM ^

to the game in which Avant made the one handed touchdown catch.  The Stadium was barely half full although that might partially have been due to the elements -- high 30s and drizzle (preceded overnight by freezing rain).  My brother-in-law who works in Chicago got the tickets from Northwestern a couple of months before the game.  They were about half way up the stands at the 35-yard line and about 75% of the fans in the stands near us were Michigan fans.

Bronco648

April 25th, 2011 at 1:29 PM ^

I was at this game as well. I think the tickets were at the 10 yard line, nearest to Jason when he made that catch. The weather was miserable (as mentioned) and my wife was fighting a cold. We left with about 10 minutes left in the game (UM up 41-10, IIRC).

I also went to the last game that UM as at Ryan Field (Dyche Stadium). I got tickets from an outlet downtown and then rode my motorcycle north to Evanston. I was able to park within one block of the stadium. The weather was nice, NW fans are pleasant, UM won and a good time was had by all. I don't think I ever seen their stadium sell out. If you want to go, you should be able to get tickets, regardless.

jmblue

April 25th, 2011 at 1:53 PM ^

I was also there that day.  I can't remember the yardline but it was the west side of the stadium (the side that's more built-up) and had a good view of Avant's catch. I also remember Braylon scoring a TD and then running up the little grassy incline behind the endzone.  After the game, Michigan fans gathered near the tunnel and chanted "Beat the Buckeyes!" 

Northwestern's a fun trip.  I may make it again this year.

UM2k1

April 25th, 2011 at 10:00 AM ^

Thanks for your insight everybody.  I was leaning towards waiting to get tickets at the game or from a second-hand shop, and I think this generally confirmed my thoughts.  I'm not to worried about not being by Michigan fans, as i can't imagine NW fams being all that obnoxious.

genericmichiganfan

April 25th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^

They're not. I sat in the student section for the night game in 2005 and the only trash talking I heard was academics-related. Quite hilarious when you have drunk people talking crap like that.

One of my friends from MSU went to their game last year and bought tickets from NU the week of the game. Pretty cheap. That's what I would recommend, as others have said. There will be so many Michigan fans there that you're bound to be near them.

jmblue

April 25th, 2011 at 1:59 PM ^

Also, if my experience in 2003 is any indication (granted, it was eight years ago), it's not that hard to move around in the stadium.  I did not buy tickets through U-M but my recollection is that we ended up sitting mostly around Michigan fans anyway.

ryanfourmayor

April 25th, 2011 at 10:17 AM ^

I too plan on make it to Ryan's Field for the game. Not sure how I am going to get tickets but i plan on eating some where downtown and taking the Purple Line to the Field. Does anyone know how long the 'L' takes from downtown? 

Mr Mackey

April 25th, 2011 at 10:38 AM ^

I'm really excited for this game... I registered for the Chicago Marathon and was really pumped about running it, then i found out we're playing at Northwestern the day before. That's gonna be a great weekend, going to the Michigan game then running the marathon. So pumped!

FieldingBLUE

April 25th, 2011 at 9:24 PM ^

I worked across the street (for those who know Mustard's, I worked in that brick building with the white columns) for five years and hit it way too often for lunch.

Kind of fun to walk past Ryan Field every day back then.

I've been to every Michigan game in Evanston since 1998 when my wife (a NW fan) got me tickets while we were dating...she was in Chicago, I was still in Ann Arbor. Since then, I bought tickets from the NW ticket office and the cost is the same. Plus, I usually get a block of 6 or so, to take my wife, kids, and in-laws (Father-in-law is a NW grad).

In fact, my wife and I have attended every Michigan vs Northwestern game since 1998 no matter where it's been played. We're pretty happy they will no longer take years off.

Srock

April 25th, 2011 at 1:22 PM ^

NW is a fun trip. I typically throw a BBQ at my place in downtown Chicago, then take a bunch of roadies on the L up to Evanston. Not too bad to take the Red LIne out of the City and transfer to the Purple at the Howard Stop - maybe about 45 mins from downtown. Then you have a short walk to the Stadium. That said, parking is pretty easy around Ryan Field as well. 

On a side note, you've got to try Mustard's Last Stand outside the stadium for food - think Blimpy Burgers - but Chicago hot dog style...

 

Go Blue!

WolverineHistorian

April 25th, 2011 at 3:14 PM ^

I've never been to a Michigan road game.  But when I finally do go to one, I think Northwestern would be my first choice simply for the fact that the stadium is about half Michigan fans.

It looks like a little high school stadium but with so many friendly faces everywhere, I'm sure it would be fun.

Nantucket Blue

April 25th, 2011 at 9:35 PM ^

Get to the stadium early.  They rarely sell out, and the ticket takers had a lot of problems dealing with the extra capacity of the Michigan fans (Halloween-ish game some years ago).  It took us way long from line to seat. 

And I wouldn't bother staying in evanston to party.  Head to wrigleyville, boys town, or whatever spot is currently hot.

But it is a fun place to see game.  Small, personal stadium, good classy fans.  Don't have to be on your guard like in C-bus, EL, or madtown.

MGoKalamazoo

April 26th, 2011 at 9:21 AM ^

Used to make the trip to Evanston every year Michigan made a visit and I absolutely loved it. I love the stadium because it's small, personable and there isn't a bad seat in the house. If you somehow get a bad seat/vantage point you can move around without any problem. I stayed the weekend with a few friends in Chicago and bought my tickets around 9 or 10 am that morning. Tailgating will consist of Michigan fans and a few Northwestern students/alums scattered about.