NCAAFB: Wisconsin Badgers Will Play at Both Lambeau Field and Wrigley Field in 2020

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Last year, Notre Dame and Wisconsin officially announced a two-game series of college football games at Lambeau Field (2020) and Soldier Field (2021). Now, the Badgers’ football team is set to play at another amazing venue in the 2020 season: Wrigley Field (against Northwestern).

While football at Lambeau Field and Soldier Field is normal, Wrigley Field has primarily been a baseball-only facility since the Chicago Bears moved into Soldier Field back in 1970.

With that said, the Northwestern Wildcats brought the pigskin back to ‘The Friendly Confines’ in 2010 against their in-state rivals, the Illinois Fighting Illini. And while they were absolutely torched by Illinois in the game (48-27) and the two Illinois schools could only use one end zone, it was a resounding success. Over 41,000 folks showed up for the game and it even received the College Gameday treatment. The event was titled the Wrigleyville Classic.

So why is Wisconsin getting the nod instead of Illinois this time around? Well, the Wildcats actually had the choice of either team but according to the Chicago Tribune, they didn’t want to give their main rival any extra shine.

Per Teddy Greenstein’s article:

“Just as Illinois moved its 2017 and 2019 games against Northwestern from Soldier Field to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Northwestern does not want its in-state rival to get a marketing boost from a game at Wrigley Field.

Playing host to perennial power Wisconsin creates the potential for national buzz and a return visit from ESPN’s “College GameDay” crew.”

Over the last two college football seasons, the Badgers have beaten Northwestern twice — 33-24 in 2017; 21-7 in 2016. However, when both schools were ranked in 2015, the Wildcats prevailed with a 13-7 victory in Madison.

Also, according to the Tribune article, the configuration will be set so they can use both end zones in 2020.

Besides the regular season games, the Cubs would like to follow in the Yankees’ footsteps by also hosting an annual bowl game at Wrigley.

Wisconsin opens up their 2018 schedule at home against Western Kentucky, New Mexico, and BYU before their Big Ten slate.