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Michigan Stadium

1201 S Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Michigan Stadium, the "Big House," home of Michigan Football, is the largest stadium in the United States with a capacity of 109,901.

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Michigan Stadium – The Big House

Stadium Blvd & Main Street, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

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If you’re a University of Michigan alum, a football fan or just interested in a behind-the-scenes stadium tour, The Big House is the “house” to see. The University of Michigan’s football stadium is the largest stadium in all of the U.S. with 107,601 seats, and the second largest in the world. It’s bigger than all the pro stadiums so its name is fitting. The stadium was built in 1927 with original capacity for 72,000 and the ability to extend.

The family-friendly football stadium guided tour offers a history of the stadium, the team and coaches and a few memorable games, too. The tour takes visitors through the press box for the prefect aerial views of the full stadium and then goes down into the Michigan locker room, through the players tunnel and onto the field. Families can hit all of the superstitious and good luck spots along the way. You can slap the Go Blue sign as you walk out of the locker room, run a touchdown pass into the end zone, or take your photo on the 50-yard line. Tours last about 90 minutes.

Hours Monday through Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Tours must be booked at least two weeks in advance and are subject to tour guide availability.

Age or Height Restrictions Children under 5 are not permitted on the tour.

Things to Know/Bring Bring your camera and wear your University of Michigan gear! No cash payments are accepted.

Parking You will be instructed where to park once you enter the stadium gates.

Family Hotels Near Michigan Stadium – The Big House

Bell Tower Hotel

Graduate Ann Arbor

Residence Inn Ann Arbor Downtown

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Ann Arbor Univ. Michigan Area

Courtyard Ann Arbor

Candlewood Suites – Detroit/Ann Arbor

Family Attractions Near Michigan Stadium – The Big House

Kelsey Museum of Archaeology

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

Leslie Science & Nature Center

The Petting Zoo at Domino’s Farms

The Creature Conservancy

Family Restaurants Near Michigan Stadium – The Big House

Kilwin’s Ice Cream and Chocolate Shoppe

Cherry Republic of Ann Arbor

Conor O’Neill’s Traditional

Zingerman’s Delicatessen

Fleetwood Diner

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Michigan Stadium

• Cities of the Big Ten
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• 1201 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
• (734) 764-4599

The largest stadium in North America is located in Ann Arbor where on many an autumn Saturday afternoon more than 110,000 college football fans wander into Michigan Stadium to cheer on the Wolverines.

Walk right onto the 50-yard line! The Big House tour features access to restricted areas such as the team locker room, the press box, media areas, suite levels and premium seating.

Tour includes (60-90 minutes): - Michigan Stadium Field - Michigan Football Game Day Locker Room - Michigan Stadium Press Box - Club and Suite Level

Cost: $20 per person

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• 315 W. Huron St. Suite 340,
• Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Phone: 734-995-7281   Toll Free: 800-888-9487

Email:  [email protected]

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Touring University of Michigan’s Big House

As the daughter of a high school football coach, football is just in my DNA. I was always a fun date in high school and college when it came to Super Bowl parties or other big game events. I was the girl that watched the game, yelled in outrage at the refs, and contemplated if the next play would be a pass or a running play. This was all while the other ladies stayed in the kitchen doing other things.

So anytime that the opportunity is presented to me to go behind the scenes of something football related, I jump on that opportunity.

That’s where Michigan Stadium, in Ann Arbor comes in. Most often referred to as The Big House, this behemoth of a stadium is currently the largest college football stadium in the country.

How many seats does The Big House have?

The Big House has a seating capacity of 107,601. That’s a lot of your closest friends sitting together and watching the University of Michigan take on whomever they are playing that week.

What you need to know about the Michigan Stadium Tour:

The tour is between 60 and 90 minutes long, depending on the size of your group and the number of questions those in your group may have.

How much is the tour of The Big House?

The tour costs $20 per person (or a minimum of $100 total), so grab 5 of your friends and check out the stadium.

To schedule a tour, contact the Special Events Office at (734) 764-4599 or [email protected].

Ok, enough of the details, let’s talk about my experience touring the iconic stadium.

The Michigan Stadium Tour Experience.

First, I need to note that the tour I was on was part of a media tour so our time was limited, as we were on a tight schedule.

We started by pulling right up to the stadium and driving through the area where you normally walk, and wait in line for what seems like forever to grab a pretzel or a snack. When (not if) you go on this tour, this will also be your experience as well. This may seem insignificant to you but, to me, I was struck by how still the normally packed stadium really was.

From this point, we took an elevator up to the club/press box level. The nickname “The Big House” originated when announcer Keith Jackson was opening a game and said “Welcome to The Big House” and the name stuck from that point on. I tell you this now, because when we stepped off the elevator, we were greeted by photos of the iconic announcers in Michigan history and Bill, our extremely knowledgeable tour guide shared this nugget with us.

The next stop on the tour included a peek into the press boxes and the spaces where network TV does their show. It is quite awe inspiring to take a moment and think about the folks that have sat in these seats and watched nail biter games. Plus, these seats offer some pretty fantastic views.

Next we got to look at the door that holds the secrets to the plays that get reviewed. Our tour guide shared with us that they don’t share the same angles with those watching TV as the group of officials who are reviewing the calls. Bill told us that there are about 10 retired refs that are on hand just for these important review moments.

From there, we were shown an example of the luxury suites that are available for lease. Ranging from $60,000 to $90,000 these suites aren’t exactly going to be covered by your couch cushion change, unless of course, your couch cushions hold that sort of cash, in which case…let me know and I’ll help you scrape it up.

The yearly fee does not include food, so you’ll want to make sure that you budget for that. A point of interest, The Big House is a dry stadium, meaning they do not sell alcohol, including serving it in the suites.

Next, we got back into the vehicles and drove around to the rear of the stadium, to the section closest to the Crisler Center (the University’s basketball arena). It is a rather unassuming area, but behind two plain doors, was the game day locker room, and we got to go in!

I loved this part of the tour so very much. As we were in the locker room taking in the space, I thought a lot about the various players that had stood in the very spot that I was in. Desmond Howard, Tom Brady, Charles Woodson come to mind. I could imagine the fiery halftime speeches that were given along with the tears that fell after a hard fought game, players unable to bring themselves to change back into their street clothes and rejoin the general public.

Just as the players who were suiting up to take the field would, we left the locker room doors and turned to head down the tunnel and on to the field. Again, another surreal moment. Not to mention the tunnel was long and very sloped. Which I found out was due to the fact that the playing field actually sits about four stories below street level. So those seats that seem like they are so very high about the field, they are actually right about street level.

The walk onto the field was so very cool as well. I know I keep saying that about every part of the tour, but it really was. The field was very awe inspiring, especially imagining what it must be like to look up into the stands as a player and hear the roar of the crowd.

They shared with us some other very interesting tidbits about the field, but I will save them for you to discover on your tour.

If you are ever in Ann Arbor, I can’t recommend a tour of The Big House enough. It just might turn you into a Wolverine fan, or at the very least, restore your love of college football. Make sure you keep your eyes open, you may just see Sasha Obama in the University of Michigan student section.

For more information you can visit their website, here.

Michigan Stadium Information

Michigan Stadium, located at 1201 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is just about a mile and a half south of the University of Michigan campus. The Stadium was built in 1927 at a mere $950,000. While that doesn’t sound like much by today’s standards, that’s equivalent to around $20,000,000 now. Architect Albert Kahn designed the Stadium.

The largest stadium in North America is located in Ann Arbor. The Michigan Stadium – “The Big House” is where you can find more than 110,000 college football fans on Saturday afternoons during the autumn season. Excited fans gather in the stadium to cheer on the Wolverines.

The Big House is the largest stadium in the US and the second largest stadium in the world. The University of Michigan is the proud host of this enormous facility with an official capacity of 107,601 seats. Although it is said to have hosted crowds of more than 115,000 occasionally. Built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000, the Michigan Stadium had an original capacity of 72,000 seats.

The Big House

Nicknamed “The Big House” for its size, the Stadium holds almost 110,000 people (109,901 to be exact). Opened in 1927 and later upgraded to accommodate more fans, the stadium is owned by the University of Michigan and is home to the famous Michigan Wolverines football team. The Stadium’s first game was played on October 1, 1927, between the Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The home team, the Wolverines, cliched the game with a 3-0 win.

Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States and the third largest in the world. Throughout its existence – just shy of a century – the Stadium has undergone quite a few rounds of renovation that have kept it consistently modern. The most recent renovation was completed in 2010, when an additional 10,000 seats were added, bringing the Stadium’s capacity to its whopping current level of seating.

Concerts & Live Music

While a concert has never been hosted at Michigan Stadium (some suggest that is because of its unfavorable acoustics), it is an epicenter for dedicated sports fans, having hosted many major sporting events – and that’s not just football. Major hockey games have also been featured. Among these is the memorable “Big Chill at the Big House” – a record-breaking college hockey game between Michigan and Michigan State, which broke the attendance record with its 113,411-attendance number.

Michigan Stadium is considered a national treasure for many reasons. It is renowned for its passionate fans, who create a raucous atmosphere at every game – amplified by the Stadium’s powerful sound system. There’s nothing quite like hearing the crowd go wild from the grandstands.

The improvements to the Stadium included the construction of 85 suites, a new press box, over 2,900 club seats, restroom upgrades, and the installation of electronic scoreboards. Additionally, permanent lights were added to accommodate night games.

The Stadium’s renovations, completed in the not-too-distant past, have elevated its visual appeal and set a high standard for other venues across the country. Over the years, the Stadium has set the stage for many historical moments in American sporting history, from Howard Heisman’s game-winning catch in 1991 to Anthony Carter’s epic 1979 touchdown against Indiana. In an iconic 1969 moment, the Wolverines pulled off one of the most unexpected wins ever by beating favorites – and number 1 team – Ohio State 24-12. There are many other unforgettable sporting history moments that are too numerous to mention here.

You would be hard-pressed to find any other college football stadium that matches the gameday experience you’re likely to have at Michigan Stadium. The venue is one of the country’s most historic sporting venues.

The Stadium also currently holds an all-time attendance record for any college or NFL game. The record was set when 115,109 came out to witness Michigan’s 41-30 win over Notre Dame on September 7, 2013.

According to the Michigan “Go Blue” Athletics website’s top 10 facts, there were an estimated 106,000,000 blades of grass on the field at Michigan Stadium at the first game in 1927. But Michigan football hasn’t always been played on grass. Artificial turf was the standard between 1969 and 1990. Then, in May 1991, the Stadium brought grass back until 2003, when the modern-day FieldTurf was installed.

The Stadium was the first in the United States to install electronic scoreboards; today, it has a video scoreboard in each end zone. Michigan Stadium is a real American icon that has been wowing loyal fans for almost 100 years. If you ever find yourself in the Wolverine State, you won’t regret stopping in for a game or two.

The wave at Michigan Stadium is just a little bit bigger than everyone else’s, just like the size of the stadium itself. Fans won’t see the wave at Michigan Stadium until the third quarter if the Wolverines have had a decent lead.

A total of six waves will be made to complete the age-old tradition. The first two circuits are the usual traditional wave, where the student section kicks it off. Once the first two circuits are done, a quick wave makes its way around the stadium before it’s reduced to a very slow wave.

Once the slow wave (5th wave) is finished, the student section reverses the course and send it back the other way at the original speed. On the 6th and final wave, the students split the wave in opposite directions which creates a cross-section effect around the stadium.

If you’re sitting near the student section, do commit these rules to memory and be part of the fun!

For more information on the Michigan Stadium, please see the specific pages below.

Parking Information: Arriving by car? Read about parking options on the  Michigan Stadium parking information page.

Ticket Policy: For information on ticket guarantee and other ticket related questions, view the Michigan Stadium tickets page.

Seating Information: For information on accessible seating and to view the Michigan Stadium seating chart page.

This site requires that you have Javascript enabled. To continue, please enable javascript in your browser. To find out more please visit Student life knowledge base

• Transdisciplinary Fellow (2023-2024) (Housing)
• Tour of the Big House

Transdisciplinary Fellow (2023-2024) (Housing) View Other Sessions

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Join the TFs for a tour of Michigan's football stadium! The Alumni Association is offering an upclose and personal tour of the facility, which they describe as follows: "Each Big House Tour takes you behind the scenes of the largest stadium in the Western Hemisphere. During your tour, you will get a chance to explore the Michigan locker room, visit the Jack Roth Stadium Club, and run (or walk) down the tunnel onto the field, where you can catch a pass in the end zone, kick a field goal, and take your picture on the 50-yard line."

We will walk over together. Meet in the Munger lobby at 2 pm. If you have questions, email Arsha Ali at [email protected].

This event is for graduate students living in Michigan housing.

Join the Alumni Association and get a treat from Zingerman’s

Alumni Territory reaches far beyond Ann Arbor. Take a look at some of the ways Wolverines can experience Michigan athletics with the Alumni Association.

Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate

The Alumni Territory Homecoming Tailgate is headed to the U-M Golf Course! Join us Sept. 14 for the biggest homecoming party on campus.

Tickets are now on sale!

Join Us in Seattle as Michigan Football Takes on Washington

Michigan football is headed to Seattle to take on Washington on Oct. 5. Make plans to join us on the West Coast.

Big House Tours

Want to experience the thrill of running onto the field of Michigan Stadium? Now you can, because we have the keys to the Big House.

Tickets are now on sale for our three 2024 Big House Tour dates!

Michigan Game-Watch Parties

All season long, our clubs host watch parties for Michigan football games. Make plans to join your local Wolverines.

Alumni Ticket Exchange

Looking for tickets? Have seats you can’t use? The Alumni Ticket Exchange is here to help.

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Birmingham House Tour Set for September, Includes Early Access VIP Tickets

The Birmingham House Tour returns for its 35th year on Thursday, Sept. 12, and will feature some of “the most unique and captivating houses” in the Birmingham and Bloomfield area.

The tour, which costs $42 per person and runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., includes everything from classical elegance, contemporary designs, and innovative architecture.

New this year, guests can purchase Early Access VIP tickets (for $52), granting them entry to the tour homes one hour (9:30 a.m.) before general admission.

“As the Birmingham House Tour continues to grow each year, we are thrilled to offer early access to the homes, allowing you to explore at your own pace and avoid crowds that can form later in the day,” says Lindsey Brenz, assistant director of development at The Community House.

Each stop on the Tour will be staffed by knowledgeable docents who will bring the homes to life by sharing the rich history of these properties, design trends, and other fun facts from the homeowners.

The self-guided driving tour allows guests the flexibility to start their journey at any of the featured homes.

As a bonus, visitors have the option to take a midday break for lunch at the Wallace Ballroom at The Community House, prepared by Ryan Friedrich, corporate executive chef at The Community House. The cost of the lunch is an additional $20 per ticket.

The Community House, founded in 1923, is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to providing a space for individuals seeking continuity between personal, professional, philanthropic, and recreational pursuits.

For more information about the homes, parking, and to purchase tickets, call The Community House at 248-644-5832 or visit https://www.communityhouse.com/ .

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Editor:  R.J. King Associate Editor:  Tim Keenan

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All About Ann Arbor

Nine fast facts about the big house.

Meredith Bruckner , Community News Producer, All About Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR – If you've spent time in Ann Arbor, especially during University of Michigan football season, it's likely you've either been inside The Big House, tailgated outside it, or sat parked in traffic around it.

It's a beloved gathering place for fans to cheer on the Wolverines and hosts a number of non-sports related events throughout the year, like graduation ceremonies, senior proms and summer movie screenings . 

Recommended Videos

But how much do you really know about the largest football stadium in the United States? Let's see.

It cost $950,000 to build in 1927 and originally seated 72,000 people

It may seem like a relatively small amount now, but in 2016, some estimated that figure to be equivalent to $10.8 million.

Fritz Crisler (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

The mystery of the "extra seat"

According to tradition, the stadium's official capacity always ends with -01. The extra seat was originally reserved for Athletic Director Fritz Crisler in 1956 in the form of a press box, but only a select few know the location of his seat.

The highest attendance of all time was 115,109 in 2013

On Sept. 7, 2013, the record number of fans gathered to watch Michigan defeat Notre Dame 41-30.

On game days, 300-350 police officers are stationed at The Big House

It's a relatively small number of officers, considering the size of the crowd.

Fans tailgate outside Michigan Stadium on Sept. 9, 2017 ahead of the first home opener (Photo: Meredith Bruckner)

Not just the game: 50,000-100,000 people come to tailgate only

That's right. According to Michigan Athletics, just about as many people that enter the stadium's walls enjoy beers and barbecues in its parking lot. Who doesn't love an excuse to participate in a massive street party?

Best seat in the house? Suite seating (Photo: Meredith Bruckner)

Suites cost between $60,000-$90,000 per season

The stadium's 78 suites are all leased and there is even a waiting list to score one. Once you are selected, you can choose between a three-, five- or nine-year lease. Included in a suite membership are 16 season tickets and four parking spots.

No advertising is allowed on the field

Have you ever noticed that there are no big-brand banners around the field like there are in other major sporting events? Although it would be a major cash cow for the university, it wants to focus on the integrity of the game and the players on the field.

(Photo: Meredith Bruckner)

U-M football and basketball programs operate on an annual budget of $182 million

It is a Big Ten school for a reason. 

There is a documentary about it

Titled "The Big House," the film screened this year at the Ann Arbor Film Festival and was the result of a visiting filmmaker and two film professors at University of Michigan who sent 14 students to capture every aspect of the iconic stadium .

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