About Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium sits on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, about 42 miles west of Detroit. At 107,601 seats, it’s the largest stadium in the United States, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the third-largest in the world. They call it The Big House, and on a fall Saturday when every seat is full, the name doesn’t feel like an exaggeration.
Home to the Michigan Wolverines since 1927, the stadium has hosted over 300 consecutive games with attendance exceeding 100,000 — a streak that dates back to November 1975 and shows no sign of ending. The atmosphere on a rivalry Saturday against Ohio State or Michigan State is among the loudest, most intense experiences in all of American sports.
The original stadium was designed by Bernard Green of Osborn Engineering — the same firm behind Yankee Stadium and Comiskey Park — at the direction of Athletic Director Fielding Yost. Yost insisted the foundation be built strong enough to support expansion to 150,000 seats. The original 72,000-seat bowl was excavated below ground level, modeled after the Yale Bowl, at a cost of $950,000. A $226 million renovation in 2007-2010 added 83 luxury suites, 3,200 club seats, and a new press box while preserving the stadium’s iconic open-air character.
Michigan Stadium has hosted far more than football. The 2014 NHL Winter Classic drew 105,491 fans for a Maple Leafs-Red Wings game. A 2014 soccer match between Manchester United and Real Madrid set the U.S. attendance record at 109,318. And in September 2025, Zach Bryan’s concert drew 112,408 — the largest ticketed concert in American history.
Getting to Michigan Stadium
Public Transit
Ann Arbor’s TheRide transit system operates a FootballRide shuttle on game days — five routes running from hotels and park-and-ride lots across the city directly to Gate 2 near Crisler Center. It’s $1.50 each way (exact cash required).
→ From Downtown Ann Arbor: The Downtown Shuttle stops at the Michigan Union, Graduate Ann Arbor Hotel, and several parking structures. Shuttles run every 20 minutes starting 2 hours before kickoff.
→ From the North Side: The North Shuttle departs from the DoubleTree by Hilton and the Plymouth Road Park & Ride lot.
Amtrak’s Wolverine line serves the Ann Arbor station about 1.5 miles from the stadium, connecting Chicago, Kalamazoo, Jackson, and Detroit. It’s a viable option for day-trippers from Detroit (about 45 minutes by train).
Driving + Parking
Michigan Stadium is accessible from I-94 and US-23. GPS users should enter “1201 S Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.” Arrive early — 107,000 fans emptying into a college town creates serious congestion.
→ From Detroit (~42 mi): Take I-94 West to Exit 172 (Ann Arbor-Saline Road), head north, then right onto W Stadium Blvd directly to the stadium.
→ From Toledo (~51 mi): Take US-23 North to I-94 West, then Exit 177 for State Street south into the campus area.
→ From Lansing (~66 mi): Take I-96 East to US-23 South, then exit onto I-94 East or use the Stadium Blvd exits.
The university operates color-coded lots (Blue, Grey, Green, Red, and others) around the stadium. Season permits run $60 per game. The U-M Golf Course south of the stadium is a major game-day lot. Tailgating is permitted but setups must fit within the assigned space (8’9” x 18’), and all vehicles must leave within 2 hours of the final whistle.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft drop off and pick up near Gate 2 on Stadium Boulevard by Crisler Center. After games, expect 20-45 minute waits and heavy surge pricing — 107,000 fans all requesting rides at once will do that.
Pro tip: Walk 10-15 minutes away from the stadium to a quieter side street. You’ll cut your wait time in half and avoid the worst of the surge.
From the Airport
→ Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW): 25 miles southeast, 30-40 minutes by car. The closest major airport with full carrier service (Delta hub). No direct transit — rideshare or car rental is your best bet.
→ Flint Bishop Airport (FNT): 51 miles north, about 55 minutes by car. Limited carrier service (Allegiant, American Eagle) but can offer cheaper flights.
History of Michigan Stadium
Athletic Director Fielding Yost wanted a stadium that would never be outgrown. He hired Bernard Green of Osborn Engineering to design a bowl excavated below ground level — inspired by the Yale Bowl — with foundations strong enough to eventually hold 150,000 fans. Construction began in September 1926 and cost $950,000. Michigan Stadium opened on October 1, 1927, with a 33-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan before a crowd that filled most of the original 72,000 seats.
- Dedication Game (October 22, 1927): Michigan defeated Ohio State 21-0 before 84,401 fans in the stadium’s official dedication.
- Capacity Breaks 100,000 (1956): A new press box and additional seating pushed capacity past the six-figure mark for the first time, reaching 101,001.
- 100,000+ Streak Begins (November 8, 1975): Every home game since this date has drawn over 100,000 fans — a streak surpassing 300 consecutive games and still active.
- $226 Million Renovation (2007-2010): Added 83 luxury suites, 3,200 club seats, a new press box, wider seats, improved accessibility, and handrails throughout the bowl.
- NCAA Attendance Record (September 7, 2013): Michigan vs. Notre Dame drew 115,109 fans — the largest crowd in college football history. Michigan won 41-30.
- NHL Winter Classic (January 1, 2014): Toronto defeated Detroit 3-2 in a shootout before 105,491 fans, the largest hockey crowd ever.
- U.S. Soccer Record (August 2, 2014): Manchester United beat Real Madrid 3-1 in front of 109,318 — the largest soccer crowd in American history.
- Largest U.S. Concert (September 27, 2025): Zach Bryan drew 112,408 fans, setting the record for the biggest ticketed concert ever held in the United States.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Michigan Stadium has hosted over 300 consecutive games with attendance exceeding 100,000 — a streak dating back to November 8, 1975.
The 2014 NHL Winter Classic drew 105,491 fans to watch the Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings in a shootout — the largest crowd ever to attend a hockey game.
Architect Fielding Yost designed the original 1927 foundation with footings strong enough to support expansion to 150,000 seats — a vision that was never fully realized but proved prescient as capacity grew past 107,000.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Michigan Stadium?
- Michigan Stadium seats 107,601, making it the largest stadium in the United States and the third-largest in the world. With temporary seating, crowds have exceeded 115,000.
- Why is Michigan Stadium called The Big House?
- The nickname comes from its sheer size. When it opened in 1927 with 72,000 seats, it was already the largest college-owned stadium in the country. As capacity grew past 100,000, the name stuck and became iconic in college football.
- Where is Michigan Stadium located?
- Michigan Stadium is at 1201 S Main Street in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the University of Michigan campus. It sits about 42 miles west of Detroit.
- How do I get to Michigan Stadium without a car?
- Ann Arbor's TheRide transit system runs a FootballRide shuttle on game days for $1.50 each way, with five routes from hotels and park-and-ride lots. Rideshare drops off at Gate 2 near Crisler Center. Amtrak serves the Ann Arbor station about 1.5 miles from the stadium.
- Is there parking at Michigan Stadium?
- Yes. The university operates color-coded lots (Blue, Grey, Green, Red, and others) around the stadium complex. Season permits cost $60 per game. The U-M Golf Course south of the stadium is a major game-day lot. Pre-purchasing is essential — the neighborhood has very limited street parking.
- When was Michigan Stadium built?
- Michigan Stadium opened on October 1, 1927, when Michigan defeated Ohio Wesleyan 33-0. It was designed by Bernard Green of Osborn Engineering and cost $950,000 to build. The original capacity was 72,000.
- Can you bring bags into Michigan Stadium?
- No. Michigan Stadium prohibits all bags, purses, and fanny packs — including clear bags. Exceptions are made only for medical needs and diaper bags. Bag check is available at Crisler Center's south entrance.
- Is Michigan Stadium the biggest stadium in the world?
- It is the third-largest by capacity (107,601), behind Narendra Modi Stadium in India (132,000) and Rungrado Stadium in North Korea (114,000). However, Michigan Stadium regularly hosts the largest actual crowds of any stadium worldwide.
Last updated: 2026-02-24
