Faegre Drinker Serves as Construction Counsel to Northwestern University for Development of New Ryan Field

Faegre Drinker served as construction counsel to Northwestern University in connection with the development of the new Ryan Field, a transformative project that represents one of the most significant collegiate athletics infrastructure investments in recent years.

Fully funded with private dollars, the Ryan Field redevelopment has driven substantial economic impact across the greater Chicago region, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in investment and creating thousands of construction and permanent employment opportunities. The new Ryan Field delivers a state-of-the-art venue for Northwestern University that serves as a year-round hub for the local community.

The new Ryan Field is among the most accessible stadiums in college football, featuring improved sightlines, a fan-focused design, and a canopy engineered to optimize acoustics and minimize light pollution.

The Faegre Drinker team was led by Raj Patel, a construction partner who has served as lead construction counsel throughout the project’s lifecycle—from inception through the stadium’s scheduled October 2, 2026 opening. The team also included Shawn Doorhy, Kevin Major, and Melissa Marks.

For additional information regarding the Ryan Field development, please refer to Northwestern University’s press release.