Colorado won’t get a chance to play in Northwestern’s renovated stadium this year.
On Tuesday, Northwestern announced that its first two home games of the 2026 season, including Sept. 19 against the Buffaloes, will be played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, its temporary home for the past two years in Evanston, Illinois.
The Wildcats will unveil their renovated Ryan Field on Oct. 2 when they host Penn State. That will mark 100 years to the day that the original stadium hosted its first football game in 1926.
The Wildcats have played at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium, located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the past two seasons as Ryan Field has gone through its renovation. It has been the primary home of Northwestern’s soccer and lacrosse teams since 1997.
With the game being played at Northwestern Medicine Field, that means fewer fans will have a chance to attend the game. The new Ryan Field is expected to have a capacity of 35,000, while Northwestern Medicine Field has a capacity of 12,023.
According to a BuffZone source, CU is still working with Northwestern to determine the number of tickets that will be available for CU fans.
Colorado opens its season Sept. 5 against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. The Buffs will host Weber State at Folsom Field in Boulder on Sept. 12, before traveling to Evanston the following week to complete nonconference play.
Colorado Buffaloes defensive line coach Domata Peko works with players during a practice Aug. 1. (CU Athletics/courtesy photo)
Peko moving on
CU defensive line coach Domata Peko is leaving the Buffaloes after one season.
According to reports, Peko is being hired by the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers to coach their defensive line. Last year, CU head coach Deion Sanders hired Peko to coach the Buffaloes’ defensive line.
On a video posted by Well Off Media, Peko was seen saying his goodbyes to CU players.
“Shoutout to the CU Buffs, Coach Prime, coach Rob Livingston, coach (George) Helow, all the great coaches here, man,” Peko said as he looked into the camera. “Appreciate everything y’all. Big Uso’s outta here, man. Go Buffs. Much love.”
A former 15-year NFL veteran, including two seasons (2017-18) with the Denver Broncos, Peko began his coaching career as a defensive assistant with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024.
Peko’s sons, Domata Jr. and Joseph, joined the Buffs last month. Domata Jr. is a junior defensive end from Ventura Junior College. Joseph is a true freshman defensive lineman.