The University of Michigan Wolverines visit Evanston Saturday for a sold-out evening game against the Northwestern Wildcats.
In case you want to plan your weekend schedule to avoid game-related congestion, here’s the schedule.
- Parking lots open at 3 p.m.
- Stadium gats open at 4:37 p.m.
- Kickoff at 6 p.m.
- Game conclusion, about 9:30 p.m.
NU Athletics is expecting a stadium-capacity crowd of 47,130.
To alleviate traffic congestion on Central Street to Ryan Field, incoming freeway traffic will be directed to the I-94 exits at Dempster Street and Skokie Boulevard/Lake Avenue.
Representatives from the Evanston, Wilmette, Northwestern, and Illinois police departments will coordinate and manage game events and neighborhood patrols from a Unified command post.
Once the game is over, lights on the four stadium towers will be redirected outward to the parking lots to help fans find their way to their cars.
Alderman Jane Grover, whose 7th Ward includes the stadium area, encourages local football fans to leave cars at home and head to the stadium on foot or by public transportation.
She’s encouraging neighbors to report what she calls “fan shenanigans” to 311 and any police emergencies to 911.