Why is Northwestern football playing Minnesota at Wrigley Field? What to know

Northwestern football was defeated on a walk-off at Wrigley Field last weekend against No. 17 Michigan, but the Wildcats will have a second chance at getting off the schneid at the historic baseball stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22.

The Wildcats (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten) will take on Big Ten rival Minnesota (6-4, 4-3) with a chance at a bowl berth for a second straight week. Northwestern is playing in its fourth game at the home of the MLB's Chicago Cubs in the past two seasons, but is still seeking its first win at the venue.

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It took a walk-off field goal from Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada to get the Wolverines past the Wildcats, 24-22, last Saturday. Wrigley Field, located just 8.4 miles from its usual home stadium at Ryan Field, has been the home for Northwestern game six times before.

Here's what you need to know about why Northwestern is taking on Minnesota at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 22:

Northwestern vs Minnesota location

• Stadium: Wrigley Field

• Location: Chicago

Northwestern will host Minnesota at Wrigley Field in Chicago, the home of the Chicago Cubs and the second-oldest MLB ballpark, behind only Fenway Park.

The Wildcats have played five other home games at Martin Stadium, which has an approximate capacity of 12,000 seats.

Dugouts are removed, creating more space for the end zones, to accommodate a baseball game, while the locker rooms are located in the clubhouses. The Wildcats are once again using the Cubs' clubhouse, while the Golden Gophers will take the visiting teams' facilities.

Why is Northwestern playing Minnesota at Wrigley Field?

With Ryan Field ― the former and future home of the Wildcats ― currently under construction, Northwestern football needs a temporary home for the 2024 and 2025 college football seasons. The original Ryan Field was demolished in 2024, with the Wildcats playing their last game there on Nov. 25, 2023.

Northwestern is in the midst of building an $862 million stadium on the same site, but the stadium is not slated to open until the fall of 2026. As a result, the Wildcats have had their home games shifted.

The Wildcats played the first five home games of the 2025 college season at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium near the campus in Evanston, Illinois, off Lake Michigan. Northwestern played the first of its two final home games of the season at Wrigley Field on Saturday, Nov. 15.

Northwestern has one final home game, which will also be played at Wrigley, on Saturday, Nov. 22, vs Minnesota.

Northwestern history at Wrigley Field

Football at Wrigley Field is not uncommon. The Chicago Cubs shared the stadium with the NFL's Chicago Bears from 1921 through 1970, when the Bears moved to Soldier Field in 1971.

Saturday will be the seventh time Northwestern will host a home game at Wrigley Field. Following last week's loss to Michigan, the Wildcats are 0-6 all-time at "The Friendly Confines." The first game was played in 2010 against in-state rival Illinois.

• Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010: Illinois 48, Northwestern 27

• Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021: Purdue 32, Northwestern 13

• Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023: Iowa 10, Northwestern 7

• Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024: Ohio State 31, Northwestern 7

• Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024: Illinois 38, Northwestern 28

• Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025: Michigan 24, Northwestern 22

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025: Northwestern vs. Minnesota

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Northwestern football playing Minnesota at Wrigley Field?