7 Tips for Attending a Michigan Football Game with Kids

Are you planning to attend a University of Michigan football game with your kids? We are sharing 6 Tips for Attending a Michigan Football Game with Kids including Michigan Stadium rules. The 2024 Michigan Football season kicks off on August 31.

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1 – Everyone needs a ticket for Michigan Stadium Seating

Every person needs a ticket. It doesn’t matter whether your child is 2 weeks old and in your arms, they still need a ticket. There are still limited tickets available for select home games.

Michigan Stadium Seating is bleachers throughout the bowl. Those with season tickets can rent seat cushions for the season. Foam seat pads (without pockets, metal, arms or backs) can be brought in for single games.

2 – Getting to Michigan Stadium & Michigan Football Parking

Planning your route to Michigan Stadium is always important. If you are coming from out of town and have the budget, staying within walking distance is a great option.

If you know your way around town, you have a big advantage in getting to the football game. Certain routes are much more crowded than others. From several years of Saturday Rec & Ed soccer games around Ann Arbor, I’ve learned which roads are less crowded.

In general, traffic is better on routes that are not the primary route from a highway to the stadium area. Instead of 23 & Washtenaw, use another route like Carpenter and Packard. Instead of 94 & Stadium, consider using Zeeb and Liberty.

Do you know you can get free parking near Michigan Stadium on game days? It just depends how far you are willing to walk. Be sure to follow any signed parking restrictions in neighborhoods near the stadium. Michigan Stadium Parking lots are typically season permit only on game day.

Regular University of Michigan permits are not valid in the lots closest to the athletic campus on game weekends. However, a few years ago we used the Thompson garage with my husband’s blue parking pass. Non-permit holders are charged $25.

Years ago my husband and I parked for free near the Medical School. Many lots there are open to the public on the weekend and walked. It was a LONG walk, but we met little traffic getting there and parked for free. Be sure to observe any game day Michigan football parking restrictions in the areas near campus.

If you want to park close, Pioneer High School parking on Wolverines football game day is $73+. The UM Golf Course is only charging $50 this year. There are people who live near the stadium and charge for parking in their yards. Just make sure you won’t get parked in.

The Football Shuttle

The Ride operates 5 football shuttles on game day:

• West Shuttle (Purple) – Wyndham Garden Inn, Weber’s, Miller Rd Park & Ride lot
• Downtown Shuttle (Blue) – Bell Tower, Graduate Ann Arbor, Michigan Union (board at bus shelter at South Univ & State), Fletcher St Parking, 4th & William Parking, Pizza House, Thompson St Parking Structure
• South Shuttle (Green) – Sheraton Ann Arbor, Red Roof Inn Ann Arbor, Kensington Hotel
• East Shuttle (Orange) – Ann Arbor Regent Hotel & Suites
• North Hotel (Red) – Double Tree by Hilton North and Plymouth Rd Park & Ride lot

All shuttles drop off near Gate 2 by Crisler Center. After the game West and Downtown board on Stadium Blvd between Gate 2 & 4. North, East & South Shuttles board on Stadium Blvd east of Gate 2.

Tickets are $3/round trip, $1.50/direction. Youth tickets are half price. Senior and persons with disabilities ride free, but need to show a reduced fare card. MCard, goPass & 30 Day passes are not accepted for the Shuttle. Exact fare cash payments are accepted, but contactless mobile tickets are preferred.

For more information, check out the official UM Game Day Parking Lists.

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In 2018 my daughter and I collected bottles and cans at the UM Golf Course on Game Day. At the time there were plenty of RVs. As of 2022, they, are no longer allowing RVs.

Briarwood Mall now offers RV tailgating through Park N Party. The Football Shuttle departs from Kensington Hotel outside the mall.

3 – Outfit Your Kid in Michigan Apparel

Of course you want to make sure your kid is decked out in UM apparel.

Here are some youth options for the Maize Out & Stripe Out if you are in a maize section (odd numbers),

• Infant Onesie
• Girl Power Shirt – Youth Shirt
• UGP Arch Logo – Youth Shirt
• Women’s Vintage Shirt
• UGP Art Logo – Adult Shirt

Blue Shirts:

• Repeating Fade Youth
• Zingy Shirt – Kids
• Retro Script Triblend – Unisex

4 – Child Safety

Michigan Stadium offers ID wristbands for children and at-risk adults. These bracelets allow you to put a parent’s contact information and where your seats are located inside the band. I love that they include seat location. It is likely that you wouldn’t hear your cell phone at the game.

Wristbands are available at gates 2, 4, 8, 9, & 10. Even though my daughter was 8.5, we still got her a wristband just in case we got separated. Now she’s 18 and will be on her own in the student section.

5 – Bathrooms & Other Amenities

Family/Gender Inclusive Restrooms are located in all 4 corners of the stadium (on the outside walls). Changing tables are located in all Family/Gender Inclusive Restrooms and many men’s and women’s restrooms. Restrooms with a changing table will be marked outside with a baby symbol. The stadium map does not indicate which restrooms include a changing table.

Michigan Stadium has a lactation room for nursing mothers! It has 6 individual curtained stations for mothers to nurse or pump. It also has a changing table, electrical outlets, and a TV to keep up with the game. The lactation room is located on the upper concourse at section 40 in the northeast corner of the stadium.

Cups of water are available for free at various stations and at any concession stand with a soda fountain. There are bottle filling stations that can be used to refill water bottles purchased inside the stadium. (You may not bring bottles into the stadium)

The MDen stores inside the stadium & in Crisler tend to be very crowded on game day. Being local, we were able to make sure she had her fill of Michigan gear in advance. We shopped at MDen, Target, and Meijer before game day. We saved money and time in line – and avoided the crowds.

More details on amenities can be found on the Stadium information page.

6 – Game Day Distractions

Much to my dismay, my daughter was not a big sports fan. I alway planned ways to keep her entertained during the game. She is definitely more interested in the game being there in person than at home.

In 2022 Michigan Football Kids activities included the FanFest Zone presented by Meijer. Hopefully it returns for 2023. opens 3 hours before game time. It is on the southwest corner of Stadium & Main Street.

Also try to catch the Michigan Marching Band before the game. The Percussion Step Show is 90 minutes before kickoff and the band’s march starts 55 minutes before kickoff.

Make sure you are in your seats before the game starts. Kids will love seeing the Marching Band 15 minutes before kickoff. Plus there are Team Introductions, and maybe even a fly-over. The Marching Band’s Half-Time show is also great for kids.

Concession runs during the game also help keep kids from getting bored. My daughter loved seeing the huge bags of pre-popped popcorn that were in the concession stand.

Don’t go to the concession stands or bathrooms right at halftime as there will be long lines. Stay to watch the half-time show, or leave with a couple minutes left on the clock to beat the crowds.

7 – Michigan Stadium Bag Policy – No Bags & Other Prohibited Items

I’ve left the biggest obstacle for families for the end (because it’s hard for me to not rant). Michigan Football has followed many other sports venues in having a No Bag policy. Medical & child care supplies are exceptions. To expedite entry you can fill out a Special Permission form by 3p on the day before the game.

Other prohibited items at the Big House include umbrellas, strollers, bottles, containers, weapons, alcohol, food, tripods, selfie sticks, etc. I am surprised that bottles are on the banned list. When we went to a game years ago I was able to bring in an empty water bottle. I remember there being bottle filling stations at the stadium instead of single use water bottles.

2024 Game Day Events

The Michigan Football First game for 2024 is Saturday, August 31 vs Fresno St.

Make sure you don’t miss any special events at Game Day.

• Michigan vs Fresno State – Saturday, August 31 at 7:30p
  • Pregame Parachute Jump – The Chuters, a veteran owned and operated parachute team
  • Championship Recognitions – Men’s Gymanstics, (B1G), Women’s Tennis (B1G), Rowing (B1G), Paul Juda (NCAA Floor Exercise)
  • Band Halftime Show – Celebrations
• Michigan vs Texas – Saturday, September 7 at noon
  • Maize Out – Wear Maize Clothing
  • Giveaway – Maize Poms (while supplies last)
  • On-Field DJ – DJ Skee
  • Band Halftime Show – Carnival
• Michigan vs Arkansas State – Saturday, September 14 at noon
  • Homecoming – Pregame & Halftime Performances by Michigan Alumni Band
  • Weekend of Championships – Teams and Individuals celebrating 10th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, or 60th championship reunion honored
  • Championship Recognition: Cheer (NCA)
  • On-Field DJ – DJ Myint
  • Band Halftime Show – Welcome to the Blue Parade
• Michigan vs USC – Saturday, September 21 at 3:30p
  • Stripe Out – Odd Number Sections wear Maize, Even Number Sections wear Blue, Student Sections wear Maize
  • On Field DJ – DJ Arrayy
  • Band Halftime Show – Sing to the Moon
• Michigan vs Minnesota – Saturday, September 28 – TBD
  • Parent & Family Weekend
  • Military Appreciation Game
  • Military vehicles & equipment around the stadium concourse
  • Veteran Recognition
  • Championship Recognition – Softball (B1G)
  • On Field DJ – DJ Arrayy
  • Halftie Show: Rhapsody in Red, White, & Blue
• Michigan vs Michigan State – Saturday, October 26 – TBD
  • Giveaway – Maize Poms (while supplies last)
  • Michigan Football Alumni Recognition prior to kickoff
  • Football Alumni Team Recognitions – 1964, 1974, 2004 teams recognized for Big Ten Championship Anniversaries
  • Championship Recognition – Men’s Lacrosse
  • Band Halftime Show – Desert Music
• Michigan vs Oregon – Saturday, November 2 -TBD
  • Hall of Honor Recognition
  • Band Halftime Show – Rock and Roll Ale Nite
• Michigan vs Northwestern – Saturday, November 23 – TBD
  • Senior Day – Michigan Football seniors honored during pregame
  • Olympian Recognition – 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Athletes from UM Honored during game
  • Band Halftime Show – Into the Jazz Club

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