DeKALB — The football team’s game on Oct. 24 against the Brigham Young University Cougars has been moved from SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview back to Huskie Stadium.

The athletics department announced the decision Wednesday, saying the city of Bridgeview and NIU made the decision in response to COVID-19 safety measures for capacity put out by the state of Illinois.

“COVID-19 has obviously brought about many changes for all of us, and we continue to adapt and make the best decisions possible for NIU,  our student-athletes and fans,” said NIU Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier in the Wednesday news release. “Thanks to the leadership of the City of Bridgeview and SeatGeek Stadium, who have continued to be great partners in this process. We hope to continue our relationship and will look for an opportunity to bring a game to SeatGeek Stadium in the future.”

Phase 4 of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Illinois reopening plan, which went into effect June 26, does allow for outdoor sporting events to be held at 20% capacity. 

Cook County, where the city of Bridgeview is located, has 39,452 confirmed cases and a confirmed test rate of 10.1% as of July 8, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

DeKalb County, by comparison, has only 595 confirmed cases and a positive test rate of 5.4%.

The move back to Huskie Stadium, along with the moved date of the team’s contest with Buffalo, means that NIU will have five home Saturday games at Huskie Stadium for the first time since 2012.

Refunds are being offered for those who bought tickets through SeatGeek for the game, with tickets now available through NIU Athletics and their ticket office. Season ticket holders are also welcome to opt into getting tickets for the relocated contest.