Northwestern University's athletics department has revealed a rather swanky-sounding game day set-up that fans, alumni, and—let's be real—anyone looking to schmooze and booze in style can soon indulge in. Dubbed the 'Lakeside Gameday,' this premium tailgating experience is set to debut for the 2024 football season. In details shared with the Chicago Tribune, the university has painted a picture of live feeds from games, lawn games aplenty, and musical vibes provided by DJs, with some appearance by the Northwestern Wildcat Marching Band, and that's just scratching the surface.
Of course, this higher-tier tailgating extravaganza comes with a price tag to match. Brace yourself because general admission to the lakeside shindig will set you back $25 per head, although one could opt for tented areas or even the so-called Wildcat Chalets—if money is no objection. As reported by the Chicago Tribune, group spots could cost anywhere from $600 to $1,800, depending on the size of your entourage, while the ‘Cats Village VIP experience is looking to lighten your wallet by $4,250 for a party of 35.
Furthermore, Northwestern's collaboration with Specialized Mobile Exhibits (SME) signals a concerted effort to up the ante on traditional game day festivities. SME's CEO, Toby Robertson, was quoted by Northwestern Athletics saying, "Our partnership with Northwestern affords us an incredible opportunity to do what we love…using big ideas to create memorable experiences for customers and fans." He emphasized the uniqueness of enjoying college football complemented by views of the Lake Michigan shoreline and the Chicago skyline.
But let's not forget, Lakeside Gameday isn't merely about the fanfare. There's a promise of appearances by Northwestern's "Wildcat" Marching Band and legends from the gridiron days of yore to jazz up the place. As Wally Hayward of W Partners put it in a statement obtained by the Chicago Tribune, "Whether you have a ticket to the game or not, you will want to be part of creating your own customized [pre, during and post]-game tailgate experience with family, friends, and/or clients at Lakeside Gameday along Northwestern’s iconic ‘Lakefill’ property."
