Evanston Township High School's football team will play its long-standing rival, New Trier High School, at Northwestern University's new Ryan Field on October 16, 2026. The announcement was made during a press conference on May 26, surprising many players from Evanston, who initially expected a campus tour. The game will be part of a commitment to engage the Evanston community, as the stadium, a significant investment at $862 million, aims to host various events beyond college football. Evanston holds a slight edge in their historical rivalry, which dates back to 1913, with a record of 57 wins, 54 losses, and 6 ties. Both teams have experienced recent success, splitting their last four matchups. The partnership between Evanston High and Northwestern is expected to continue, with hopes of hosting at least one home game at Ryan Field each season, providing high school players a rare opportunity to compete in a college stadium.