Northwestern will debut its new Ryan Field on Friday, exactly 100 years after the original stadium opened in 1926.

The new stadium is designed to host football, soccer and concerts, with features intended to bring fans closer to the action. For Pat Ryan Jr., whose family helped lead the project, seeing the stadium take shape marks the culmination of years of work.

"We want this to be the best at everything we do. The university takes great pride in that. Having the best stadium in college football is a start," Ryan, CEO of Ryan Sports Development, said.

Finishing touches are expected to continue for months, but Ryan said nothing should interfere with Friday's opening, when the Wildcats take on Penn State.

"This will be the best place to see a football game, soccer match or concert of any stadium in America if not the world," Ryan said.

The $875 million, privately funded stadium is among the most expensive college football venues ever built. Although the new facility is larger than the previous stadium, seating capacity has been reduced from more than 47,000 to 35,000.

Ryan said the smaller capacity was intentional, allowing the stadium's other features to be positioned closer to the field.

"Because we got rid of those last seats, it lets us put everything else on top of the action. So, the worst seat in this stadium is better than 80% of the seats in most college football stadiums," Ryan said.

The stadium includes a locker room designed to compete with the NFL, bars, and pubs near the end zone, and a designated student section.

"What you see right here with the wildcat wall is that it puts 2000 students right on top of the end zone," Ryan said.

Outside the stadium are parks, plazas and festival spaces designed for year-round use.

"Ultimately, we're really in the experiences business. No one goes to a football game, concert or soccer match alone. They go with friends, they go with family, they go with clients. And what are they looking for? They're looking for great experiences," Ryan said.

For the Northwestern class of 2027, the new stadium will be the third home venue during their college careers. They began at the old stadium, spent time at a temporary stadium along the lakefront and will finish their senior year at the new Ryan Field.