One has to think they've looked at this angle and planned accordingly. Either NW is expecting an exemption or planning to move out of the B1G, which I can't imagine they would.I thought the P2 was coming up w/ some commitment levels programs had to meet in order to be a member. One of them is surely stadium seating capability. Maybe NW is looking for some type of agreement ND has w/ the ACC for just Olympic sports
Yeah, not so sure about thatNot sure about the B1G, but awhile back I remember you had to average so many fans or have a certain capacity to be FBS in football.
FacepalmNice but I still think they went too small on this. 35K is tiny. Guess they're going for a Cameron indoor feel for football. I read somewhere that NW averaged around $35K in the old dump. You'd think more will come to a modern venue. Then again, I'm reading that ticket prices are really high.
FacepalmAre the upper decks for solar panels? They can’t possibly think they can have seats there and actual fill them, right?
what are you talking about?Facepalm
Yeah like kiddies staring like zombies at their phones rather than going out and engaging in the actual world.NW has said it's going for ambiance and cutting-edge amenities in a stadium inspired by top soccer facilities. NW will finally have sellouts in a stadium this size. The renderings suggest it will be an intimate atmosphere with all the latest tech and fan-friendly conveniences. I think it's the smart way to go. Don't we know by now that bigger isn't necessarily better? And many schools that have done major remodels or built new facilities recently have reduced capacity, and some--like Arizona State--dramatically so--from around 75,000 to about 54,000.
It would seem that prying people out of their AC (or heat) at home in front of their giant-screen TVs to sit in the discomfort of a football stadium is only going to get more and more difficult. The inconvenience and significant cost of attending a game is a huge issue. A generation from now I think it's possible, if not likely, that sports will be played in TV studio settings with small live crowds . . . perhaps less than10,000 instead of 70,000.
Regardless, I think the NW stadium will be unique and serve that institution well.
It might have a similar seating capacity, but that's where the similarities end. Check out this video: https://images.sidearmdev.com/resiz...7/RyanFieldRendering.jpg&height=300&type=webpLooks like a high school stadium in Texas.
No problem. I'm sure Jamie has a plan for Iowa taxpayers to chip in- a lot.Meanwhile in Kinnick West.
Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups ticket prices
‘ISU views this effort as one of the top priorities and challenges facing the university’
Vanessa Miller![]()
AMES — Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation.
“In the past two years, there have been several transformational changes in college athletics that will result in $30 million in recurring annual financial repercussions to the athletics department beginning this year,” ISU athletics reported in its 2026 budget report to the Board of Regents, made public this week.
Given the challenges, Iowa State told the board it has made several tough budget decisions, including:
- Indefinitely postponing construction of a planned $20 million wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation;
- No longer absorbing the cost of sales tax on tickets and instead passing on that expense — about $1.5 million annually — to consumers;
- Upping annual required donation levels for membership in the Cyclone Club by 20 percent — generating an estimated $3 million annually.
- And mandating all sports and support units cut costs and find savings “to slow the growth of overall expenses.”
It’s Chicago…it’s Northwestern and you think they care what others think? They raised $6B a couple of years ago (a world’s record for a school fundraiser) to pay for the new stadium amongst other things…..My in-laws are long time NW boosters and the guy they sit next to at FB games reads the Wall Street Journal during football games…and has for years. It’s a unique fan base in Evanston.Nice but I still think they went too small on this. 35K is tiny. Guess they're going for a Cameron indoor feel for football. I read somewhere that NW averaged around $35K in the old dump. You'd think more will come to a modern venue. Then again, I'm reading that ticket prices are really high.
They did a nice job with Welch-Ryan, downsizing it a bit.NW has said it's going for ambiance and cutting-edge amenities in a stadium inspired by top soccer facilities. NW will finally have sellouts in a stadium this size. The renderings suggest it will be an intimate atmosphere with all the latest tech and fan-friendly conveniences. I think it's the smart way to go. Don't we know by now that bigger isn't necessarily better? And many schools that have done major remodels or built new facilities recently have reduced capacity, and some--like Arizona State--dramatically so--from around 75,000 to about 54,000.
It would seem that prying people out of their AC (or heat) at home in front of their giant-screen TVs to sit in the discomfort of a football stadium is only going to get more and more difficult. The inconvenience and significant cost of attending a game is a huge issue. A generation from now I think it's possible, if not likely, that sports will be played in TV studio settings with small live crowds . . . perhaps less than 10,000 instead of 70,000.
Regardless, I think the NW stadium will be unique and serve that institution well.
Meanwhile in Kinnick West.
Facing $147M deficit, ISU Athletics halts Hilton Coliseum renovation, ups ticket prices
‘ISU views this effort as one of the top priorities and challenges facing the university’
Vanessa Miller![]()
AMES — Iowa State University Athletics — facing a $147 million budget deficit through 2031, or just under $25 million annually over the next six years — is rolling out painful concessions, including indefinitely postponing construction of a new wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation.
“In the past two years, there have been several transformational changes in college athletics that will result in $30 million in recurring annual financial repercussions to the athletics department beginning this year,” ISU athletics reported in its 2026 budget report to the Board of Regents, made public this week.
Given the challenges, Iowa State told the board it has made several tough budget decisions, including:
- Indefinitely postponing construction of a planned $20 million wrestling practice facility and a $25 million Hilton Coliseum renovation;
- No longer absorbing the cost of sales tax on tickets and instead passing on that expense — about $1.5 million annually — to consumers;
- Upping annual required donation levels for membership in the Cyclone Club by 20 percent — generating an estimated $3 million annually.
- And mandating all sports and support units cut costs and find savings “to slow the growth of overall expenses.”

Looks like this is FY22. Budgets must be way up as I thought Iowa was around $170m now ($126m in graphic).
Most current Infographic I could find re: schools that could / probably couldn't fund what was coming. This talk of P2, break-aways, etc. has been around for some time and ISU hadn't realized they may be in some trouble financially until now?Looks like this is FY22. Budgets must be way up as I thought Iowa was around $170m now ($126m in graphic).
Northwestern. They've already finished a very nice football facility on the shore of Lake Michigan.Forgive for sounding dumb. Is this a new stadium for Iowa?
Those late October games will cold.Northwestern. They've already finished a very nice football facility on the shore of Lake Michigan.
It’s more “than very nice”….Spectacular would be more accurate. The real estate it occupies is worth millions itself. The views of from inside the facility of Lake Michigan are amazing.Northwestern. They've already finished a very nice football facility on the shore of Lake Michigan.
That requirement was dropped years ago. That's how so many of the FCS schools were able to move up when they know they will never meet that threshold.Not sure about the B1G, but awhile back I remember you had to average so many fans or have a certain capacity to be FBS in football.
Yes…as it is reportedly one of the “loudest stadiums” in college football.Am i the only one surprised that Autzen stadium only seats 54,000?
Water temp still above freezing. It's all good.Those late October games will cold.
I live close by and am really looking forward to attending some Iowa games there.NW has said it's going for ambiance and cutting-edge amenities in a stadium inspired by top soccer facilities. NW will finally have sellouts in a stadium this size. The renderings suggest it will be an intimate atmosphere with all the latest tech and fan-friendly conveniences. I think it's the smart way to go. Don't we know by now that bigger isn't necessarily better? And many schools that have done major remodels or built new facilities recently have reduced capacity, and some--like Arizona State--dramatically so--from around 75,000 to about 54,000.
It would seem that prying people out of their AC (or heat) at home in front of their giant-screen TVs to sit in the discomfort of a football stadium is only going to get more and more difficult. The inconvenience and significant cost of attending a game is a huge issue. A generation from now I think it's possible, if not likely, that sports will be played in TV studio settings with small live crowds . . . perhaps less than 10,000 instead of 70,000.
Regardless, I think the NW stadium will be unique and serve that institution well.
I hope you're patient. With the 18 team league it's going to be less frequentI live close by and am really looking forward to attending some Iowa games there.
I look forward to hitting some of the new venues out west as well. Fall out there is awesome.I hope you're patient. With the 18 team league it's going to be less frequent
We had over a 100 the last 3 days. I am ready for October myselfWater temp still above freezing. It's all good.