The game will be moved from there due to the health and safety challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic. The expectation was that fans would only be able to attend in a limited capacity.
"This is a disappointing conclusion to reach, but absolutely the right one in our current environment," Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips said in a statement. "The uncertainty of football and baseball schedules -- and the possibility of limited attendance -- made this an easy choice to make for our student-athletes and fans. We're grateful for our outstanding partners from the Cubs, and look forward to bringing the passion and pageantry of college football gameday to the city's north side when we can do so safely and securely with a packed house."
The expectation is the game will instead be played at Ryan Field in Evanston, though Northwestern didn't officially announce that yet.
Northwestern and Illinois played at Wrigley Field in 2010, the first time since 1938 that the stadium had hosted college football.