Report: Michigan Wolverines Want 2025 Northwestern Game Played at Soldier Field

5 min read
Dec 2, 2024, 1:10 PM
Soldier Field

Michigan Wolverines want their road game at Northwestern next season moved to where the Monsters of the Midway reside (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)

The defending national champion Michigan Wolverines aren't going back to the College Football Playoffs, but they will be back in a bowl game this postseason. Fresh off an upset win at #2 Ohio State on Saturday, Michigan is once again feeling major momentum after beating their arch-rivals, knocking them out of the Big Ten Championship Game, and doing so as 21-point underdogs.

They're also looking ahead to 2025, when their schedule includes a visit to conference rival Northwestern. According to RG sources, the University of Michigan’s athletic department is pushing to get the Northwestern game played at Soldier Field; home of the National Football League's Chicago Bears.

It still needs to be finalized, but according to sources high up within the athletic department, it looks pretty probable. While league opponents have been announced for next season, no conference game dates have been set as of yet.  

Due to Northwestern building a new Ryan Field, which will become their future home stadium on campus, they were forced to find an alternative venue(s) for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The answer is a very scenic, utterly distinctive, but also tiny lakeside facility called Martin Stadium on the Evanston campus. The venue has a capacity of about 12,000 and serves as NU's home venue for games in September and October. In November, the home games are shifted to Wrigley Field (capacity of about 41,000), when there is no risk of scheduling conflict with the Friendly Confines' primary tenant, the Chicago Cubs.

Soldier Field last hosted a college football game in 2021, when Notre Dame beat Wisconsin. Northwestern most recently played in the venue in 2015, when they beat Illinois 24-14 in the annual Land of Lincoln Hat trophy game.  

The Wolverines play their home games at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, which is known as "The Big House" because it has the highest capacity (107,601) athletic arena in the United States of America. Only two stadiums in the world, Rungrado 1st of May Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea (which can seat 150,000) and Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India (which holds 132,000), can hold more people.

While Soldier Field has the smallest capacity of any NFL venue, it still holds 61,500, which is much higher than either of NU's two temporary venues. Given the extremely high number of Michigan transplants who reside in the Chicagoland area and its reasonably close proximity to the state itself, selling out the stadium should not be an issue.  

Fans of college football's all-time winningest program are known for 1) being a nationwide base and 2) traveling very well. It makes perfect business sense for all involved to have Soldier Field host this game.

Paul M. Banks
Paul M. Banks
Sports Reporter

Paul M. Banks is a professional Content Creator whose career has seen bylines in numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Yahoo, MSN, FOX Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Banks has made scores of guest appearances on live radio and television, featuring regularly on NTD News, WGN-TV, CCTV, ESPN Radio, the History Channel, SiriusXM and CBS Sports Radio.

He is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank.net, which has been featured and linked in hundreds of leading media outlets all across the world.

He has also authored two books, one of which, "No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in Sports Media," became an assigned textbook in journalism courses at State University New York-Oneonta.

Interests:
NFL
EPL
MLB
NCAAF

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Football
05/02/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“Bo Nix Sees The Field Just Like Sean Payton”: Ed McCaffrey Applauds Broncos QB’s Historic Rookie Season
Broncos icon Ed McCaffrey discusses Bo Nix’s impressive rookie performance, highlighting his synergy with coach Sean Payton’s vision.
“Bo Nix Sees The Field Just Like Sean Payton”: Ed McCaffrey Applauds Broncos QB’s Historic Rookie Season
Football
05/01/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“I Don’t Feel Like I’ve Touched My Peak Yet”: Rams Star Kyren Williams Ready For Explosive Season
Kyren Williams aims to boost explosive plays and regain Pro Bowl form, ready to mentor young Rams backs in pivotal 2025 NFL season
“I Don’t Feel Like I’ve Touched My Peak Yet”: Rams Star Kyren Williams Ready For Explosive Season
Football
04/28/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“He’ll Take His Time, He’ll Make The Right Decision,” Says Jordy Nelson On Aaron Rodgers’ NFL Future
Packers legend Jordy Nelson shares insights on Aaron Rodgers’ uncertain NFL future and advises the star QB to follow his passion
“He’ll Take His Time, He’ll Make The Right Decision,” Says Jordy Nelson On Aaron Rodgers’ NFL Future
Football
04/24/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“A Great Addition for the Rams”: Puka Nacua on Possible Ramsey Comeback
Puka Nacua talks Rams’ future, teaming with Davante Adams, and battling Cooper Kupp’s Seahawks twice in 2025
“A Great Addition for the Rams”: Puka Nacua on Possible Ramsey Comeback
Football
04/23/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“We Need That Spark To Ignite Cowboys” – DeMarcus Ware Demands Ground-And-Pound Revival In Dallas
Cowboys icon DeMarcus Ware pushes Dallas to revive their rushing offense, calling for a dynamic pick at No. 12 in the NFL Draft
“We Need That Spark To Ignite Cowboys” – DeMarcus Ware Demands Ground-And-Pound Revival In Dallas
Football
04/22/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
“You’re So Scarred From Playing Lamar”: Steelers Need a QB Who Makes Rivals Worry, Says Orlovsky
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky believes the Steelers must draft a dynamic QB like Jalen Milroe to challenge Lamar Jackson and Baltimore
“You’re So Scarred From Playing Lamar”: Steelers Need a QB Who Makes Rivals Worry, Says Orlovsky
Football
04/17/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
"It Would Be Dope" — Ashton Jeanty Talks Potential Cowboys Draft and Hometown Dreams
Boise State phenom Ashton Jeanty aims to rush for 1,000 yards as a rookie and dreams of a 2,000-yard NFL season in the future
"It Would Be Dope" — Ashton Jeanty Talks Potential Cowboys Draft and Hometown Dreams
Football
04/07/2025
Paul M. Banks
Paul M. Banks
“I Just Wanted to Show I Could Move”: Xander Mueller Poised to Be Next Northwestern Star to Reach the NFL
Xander Mueller, mentored by NU greats, eyes the 2025 NFL Draft after standout college career and strong Pro Day
“I Just Wanted to Show I Could Move”: Xander Mueller Poised to Be Next Northwestern Star to Reach the NFL
Football
04/06/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
Ronde Barber Backs Bucs: Hall of Famer Says Tampa Bay Can Compete With NFC’s Best, Led by Mike Evans
Ronde Barber believes the Buccaneers are built to win now, with stars like Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield leading the charge
Ronde Barber Backs Bucs: Hall of Famer Says Tampa Bay Can Compete With NFC’s Best, Led by Mike Evans
Football
04/01/2025
DJ Siddiqi
DJ Siddiqi
"It Was Really Exciting": Danny Stutsman on Meeting With Dallas Cowboys at NFL Combine
NFL Draft prospect and former Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman names the teams he met with at the NFL Combine and how the Dallas Cowboys meeting stood out to him
"It Was Really Exciting": Danny Stutsman on Meeting With Dallas Cowboys at NFL Combine

NFL Writers

Crissy Froyd
Crissy Froyd
Football Reporter

Crissy Froyd is a sports reporter of over 10 years who specializes in quarterback analysis at the high school, college and NFL level. She was mentored by Mike Leach and learned the Air Raid offense and quarterback evaluation largely under the legendary head coach. Froyd has appeared in and worked with multiple publications, including USA TODAY SMG, Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports and Saturday Down South. She also covers canine journalism for Showsight Magazine and resides in Wisconsin with her three dogs -- two German Shepherds named Faxon and Bo Nix, and one Siberian Husky named Stetson "Balto" Bennett.

Meet All Our Experts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.