Are you going to a University of Michigan football game and wondering how to best navigate game day in Ann Arbor, Michigan?
As a Michigander who has attended numerous Michigan football games in Ann Arbor, I’ll cover everything you need to know for a Michigan game day. So, read on to learn where to stay, the best places to eat and drink, and more of my Michigan game day tips!
Additionally, I’ve created Ann Arbor guides covering the unique coffee shops, independent bookstores, and best places to eat lunch in this Southeast Michigan college town. Plus, you’ll find even more helpful resources by clicking here as you plan your visit.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Destination Ann Arbor and Wanderful and contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission when you click on one of these affiliate links and make a purchase. All opinions (and Michigan game day tips) are my own.
Why Visit Ann Arbor during a Michigan Football Weekend?
Attending a Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium is bucket-list worthy. It’s your chance to watch the winningest college football program (and reigning national champs) in the largest stadium in the United States.
Michigan Stadium is massive! Its capacity to seat over 100,000 fans makes it the third-largest stadium in the world. I’d say it rightfully earned its nickname, The Big House.
Through the 2014 season, this legendary stadium hosted 258 consecutive games with more than 100,000 fans in attendance. It also broke an all-time record for attendance at any college football or NFL stadium with 115,109 spectators at the Sept. 7, 2013, game against Notre Dame.
The electrifying vibe in the crowd of 100,000+ Wolverines fans at the 2018 Homecoming game against Maryland was palpable. When the Michigan Marching Band began playing The Victors, I couldn’t help proudly cheering, “Hail! Hail! to Michigan, the champions of the West!” as I raised my maize-and-blue pom-pom into the air.
As a Michigan local and daughter of an alumna, I’ve visited Ann Arbor to attend Michigan football games multiple times over the years. Even though I wouldn’t consider myself a fan of American football, I’ve always enjoyed the exciting energy, over-the-top fanfare, and delicious snacks during a Michigan game day in Ann Arbor.
Fanfare aside, Michigan game day is still about football.
As I mentioned, a game day in Ann Arbor is also your chance to see the winningest college football team.
The Michigan Wolverines have won 12 national championships and 45 league titles. Additionally, three Wolverines — Tom Harmon (’40), Desmond Howard (’91), and Charles Woodson (’97) — have received the coveted Heisman Trophy.
You’ll also see professional athletes in the making. Remember, Tom Brady — the GOAT himself — suited up in Maize and Blue during his college days.
It’s not only in football that the Michigan Wolverines have dominated athletically. At the southeast entrance of Michigan Stadium near Crisler Center, where the Michigan men’s and women’s basketball teams play, is the Circle of Champions (Varsity Colonnade).
The monument features columns etched with the University of Michigan’s teams and their respective championships. As you can see in the photo below, it’s a pretty long list for the football team!
Turn Your Michigan Game Day into an Ann Arbor Getaway
Now that you’ve learned how exciting it is to attend a Michigan football game for the gridiron action and the fanfare, let’s take a look at why you should plan a fall weekend getaway in Ann Arbor.
Attending a Michigan football game is only one reason — albeit a bucket-list one for many sports fans — to plan a weekend escape to this foodie college town.
Beyond the legendary Michigan Stadium, you’ll find unique restaurants, local breweries, craft cocktail and wine bars, cozy coffee shops, live music, boutique shops, indie bookstores, colorful foliage, and fun fall activities.
Staying at an Ann Arbor hotel also lets you fully experience all the game-day festivities without the headache of navigating post-game traffic.
Instead, you can walk downtown for a celebratory dinner and drinks or return to your nearby hotel to relax — perhaps in the indoor saltwater pool at Weber’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant!
If you need more ideas of places to eat or things to do during your visit, click here to begin planning your Ann Arbor trip.
Graduate Ann Arbor
Located downtown near the University of Michigan campus, restaurants, and shops, Graduate Ann Arbor is one of the best places to stay during a Michigan football weekend.
This campus-inspired hotel will remind Michigan alumni of their own college days in Ann Arbor.
You can read my full Graduate Ann Arbor review to learn more about this unique hotel only 1.5 miles from Michigan Stadium.
Weber’s Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
Another hotel option for a Michigan game weekend in Ann Arbor is Weber’s Boutique Hotel, located 3 miles from Michigan Stadium.
This long-standing, family-owned hotel is particularly convenient for Michigan football fans who don’t want to drive themselves to the game.
Hotel guests can take the budget-friendly FootballRide shuttle from the hotel’s parking lot. Fares are $1.50 for adults and $.75 for youth each way, and you’ll be dropped off right near the stadium in time for kickoff.
Families visiting with kids will love the indoor saltwater pool, pinball arcade, table tennis, billiards table, and giant chess set on the outdoor sun deck. Other amenities include a sauna, hot tub, 24-hour fitness and business centers, and room service.
After the game, you can return to your hotel to dine at Weber’s Restaurant, known for its famous prime rib, or sip a classic cocktail at the Habitat bar while listening to live jazz music.
You can read my Weber’s Boutique Hotel review to learn more.
Where to Eat in Ann Arbor on Game Day
In addition to being a college town with a youthful and quirky vibe, Ann Arbor is also a major foodie destination. This southeast Michigan city’s hundreds of restaurants offer a diverse range of cuisines, and there are many options within walking distance of Michigan Stadium. Just head straight down South Main Street!
RELATED: Lunch in Ann Arbor — Five Spots Where You Should Eat
Breakfast Spots Before Noon Games
For game days with a noon kickoff, I suggest grabbing coffee, eating breakfast, or going out for a pre-game brunch in Ann Arbor.
In downtown Ann Arbor, Sava’s offers a Saturday brunch buffet beginning at 8:30 a.m. before every home football game during the 2024 season. If you are interested, you should make a reservation in advance.
Though it may seem out of the way before a noon kickoff, Juicy Kitchen is worth the 3-mile journey away from Michigan Stadium. This health-food breakfast and lunch spot offers fresh, fruit-and-veggie-loaded plates with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.
Alternatively, you could get away from the game-day hustle in downtown Ann Arbor by visiting Zingerman’s Bakehouse for pastries and bagels or Zingerman’s Coffee Company for a steaming cup of joe and fancy toast.
Best Ann Arbor Breweries for Lunch or Dinner on Game Day
On a Michigan game day, I’m usually in the mood for food that pairs well with beer. If you feel the same, you should head to one of downtown Ann Arbor’s breweries.
At Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery, you can pair Belgian-style farmhouse ales, saisons, and sours with crisp truffle fries or a mouthwatering truffle pizza on a sourdough crust. This is also a vegetarian-friendly eatery, where veggie pizzas are made with vegan mozzarella upon request.
After a chilly fall game, warm up with cheddar ale soup at Grizzly Peak Brewing Company. Then pair your smash burger with a bitter IPA, or share a “hearth-baked” pizza and a round of one of the brewery’s easy-drinking lagers.
West of downtown, HOMES Brewery serves delicious street foods inspired by Asian cuisines. Here, you can pair your salmon poke bowl, Cantonese pork ribs, or kimchi fries with a beer flight filled with samples of a juicy New England IPA and tart, fruity sour ales.
Back in downtown Ann Arbor, Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery satisfies more than beer drinkers and barbecue fans. The Triple Mac — made with smoked cheddar, Gouda, and a Wisconsin-made aged cheddar — is a cheese lover’s dream, and whiskey and bourbon drinkers should stop at the underground mash bar.
Game-Day Dinner Options in Downtown Ann Arbor
Right on South Main Street, the Pretzel Bell is a fitting place to eat in Ann Arbor on game day. With its Junior Varsity kids’ menu and Big Ten Cocktails list, this is the place to dine “on theme” on a Michigan game day. You might even blend in with the decor in your maize-and-blue gear as you nosh on a Varsity Burger topped with a fried egg, bacon, smoked Gouda, and aioli.
Finally, if you are craving a perfectly cooked steak, head to Knight’s Steakhouse, where you are more than welcome in your Michigan game-day attire. This family-owned steakhouse is known for its marbled ribeye steaks and tender filet mignon. Yet, the menu also features fantastic burgers, fresh salads, and a delicious house-made French onion soup.
Food at Michigan Stadium
You’ll find plenty to eat and drink during the game, too! Inside Michigan Stadium are 750 concessions areas offering game-day foods, beverages, and alcoholic drinks.
Of course, Michigan Stadium has all the classic game-day stadium foods. You’ll find vendors selling pizza, hot dogs, soft pretzels, and popcorn, but concessions also include frozen acai bowls, cauliflower sofrito bowls, elotes corndogs, cheesesteak fries, and some other unexpected game-day snacks.
Many of Michigan Stadium’s concessions come from area businesses, too. These local foods include Detroit-style pizza from Buddy’s Pizza, the Custard Hut’s macaron custard sandwiches, Detroit Wing Company wings and poutine, Founders Brewing Co. bratwurst and beer cheese, Olga’s Kitchen snackers, and Big Boy burgers and slim jims.
Club-level spectators can chow down on smoked brisket, chicken, and jackfruit barbecue sandwiches or a spicy vegan cauliflower and quinoa burger.
In the suites, food offerings include house-smoked Great Lakes white fish dip served with crackers and baguette slices, Carolina burnt ends sliders, duck confit pasties (as in the Upper Peninsula delicacy), and Maize and Blue cake pops from Michigan-based M Street Bakery.
New in 2024: Alcohol Sales at Michigan Stadium
Alcoholic beverages, including canned cocktails, Michigan craft beer, and other domestic and imported beers, are a new addition.
Alcohol sales begin an hour before kickoff, and spectators can purchase only two drinks at a time.
You must present a valid photo ID to prove you are of legal drinking age, and then you’ll be given a wristband to wear.
Michigan Game Day FAQ
If your question is unanswered, please ask in the comment section below!
How do I get tickets?
Michigan Football 2024 games are sold out, but tickets can still be purchased through SeatGeek, Michigan Athletics’ official ticket marketplace.
If you want single-game or season tickets for the 2025 season, sign up here to receive emails about how and when to purchase your tickets.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary depending on the game and seat location. For example, the cheapest ticket on SeatGeek for the Nov. 23 game against Northwestern is $34, while the lowest-cost ticket for the Oct.26 game against in-state rival Michigan State is $161.
Are bags allowed at Michigan Stadium?
The short answer is no.
The “no bags” rule at Michigan Stadium is strictly enforced. It includes camera bags, purses, binocular cases, and even fanny packs.
There are exceptions for attendees with medical needs/prescriptions or diapers/baby supplies. These items should be placed in a clear plastic bag, and these exceptions are granted on an individual basis at the entrance.
What other items are prohibited from Michigan Stadium?
- Selfie sticks and tripods
- Cameras with lenses longer than 6 inches
- Umbrellas
- Strollers
- Bottles and containers of all types
- Food
- Alcohol
- Seat cushions with pockets, seat backs, armrests, or any metal component
What happens if I forget the “no bags” rule?
Before entering Michigan Stadium, you will be instructed to take your prohibited item back to your vehicle or to the bag check area.
If your bag doesn’t contain certain items, including food, alcohol, and cameras, you can check it at the south entrance off of Stadium Way near Crisler Center.
What should I bring to a Michigan football game?
The University of Michigan asks that you only bring items you need into Michigan Stadium.
I’ll leave it to you to decide what is essential to you. However, you should certainly bring your phone with your mobile ticket already downloaded to it, your photo ID, a cashless form of payment for concessions, and a seat cushion.
Why should I bring a seat cushion to Michigan Stadium?
Well, have you ever sat on a metal bleacher for 3+ hours and enjoyed it?
Michigan Stadium’s seats are quite uncomfortable to sit on for the length of a college football game. These metal bleachers are also hot in the sunshine and quite chilly during November games.
Also, as fans stand to cheer on the Wolverines and then sit back down, they may shift for their own comfort. Unfortunately, without a cushion to define your space, your “seat” may become smaller and cozier as the game progresses!
When should I get to Michigan Stadium?
Gates at Michigan Stadium open two hours before kickoff. It’s best to arrive early to find your seat and explore the stadium and its concessions.
Where can I park my car near Michigan Stadium?
Several football parking lots are located around the University of Michigan campus and nearby Pioneer High School. Some of these lots require a permit or pre-payment, and fees range from $25 to hundreds of dollars.
Alternatively, you can park in a downtown Ann Arbor parking structure. Parking at some structures costs $20 on game days, but others charge their normal hourly/daily rates. Plan for the 1-mile walk from downtown to Michigan Stadium to take about 25 minutes.
Is there RV parking near Michigan Stadium on game day?
Yes, RV parking is permitted in the Brown and Maize lots, pending capacity, beginning at 7 a.m. for noon and 3:30 kickoffs and at noon for night games. The parking permit fee is $100, and the Brown Lot only takes credit.
The Blue Lot also has an RV parking area, but you must have a Blue Lot RV permit.
Where can you tailgate at Michigan Stadium?
Some popular places to tailgate before a Michigan football game are the Pioneer High School parking lot, Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club, the University of Michigan Golf Course, and Union Rec.
Before game day, you should check the tailgating rules for your desired location. Each tailgate lot has guidelines regarding vehicle size, grills, tents, alcohol consumption, and more.
If you plan to tailgate before a Michigan football game, check out my favorite Michigan tailgate gear and apparel!
What are the Michigan Wolverines’ school colors?
Maize and Blue! Maize is a yellow gold similar to the vegetable from which its name is derived, and Michigan’s “Blue” is a deep blue.
What should I wear to a Michigan football game?
First and foremost, you should dress for the weather, preferably in Maize and Blue. I also recommend wearing layers, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing that has deep and secure pockets to hold your essentials since no bags or purses are allowed.
Dress in Layers and for the Weather
Spectators can be exposed to sunshine, heat, humidity, wind, rain, cold temperatures, and even snow. Unless the weather conditions turn dangerous, the game plays on.
Because of this exposure to the elements, I recommend dressing in layers. For example, wear a hooded Michigan sweatshirt under your Michigan football jersey.
At the late October and November games, you may want to add a Michigan jacket, a knit Michigan beanie, a maize and blue blanket scarf, and Michigan gloves to your game-day outfit.
Additionally, since umbrellas aren’t allowed inside Michigan Stadium, you should wear a rain jacket or rain poncho on rainy game days.
To avoid getting sunburned (as I unfortunately have) at games early in the season and on sunny days, wear a Michigan hat, your favorite sunglasses, sunscreen, and lip balm with SPF.
Strategically Pick an Outfit with Pockets
You should strategically select your game-day outfit since you can’t carry your essentials in a bag or purse. This is especially true for female fans because women’s and girls’ garments are crafted without deep pockets if they have any at all.
Therefore, I recommend wearing or bringing a light windbreaker, anorak jacket, or rain jacket with zippered or enclosed pockets.
You could also attach a Michigan Wolverines silicone wallet to the back of your phone to hold your ID and credit card.
Luckily, planning your game-day outfit with pockets gets easier later in the season when the temperatures drop (and you can layer more clothing with pockets). But, with a little extra planning, it can be done!
2024 Michigan Football Schedule
- Michigan vs Fresno State, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31, Ann Arbor
- Michigan vs Texas (Maize Out), 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, Ann Arbor
- Michigan vs Arkansas State (Homecoming), 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, Ann Arbor
- Michigan vs USC (Stripe Out), 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, Ann Arbor
- Michigan vs Minnesota (Military Appreciation Game), Saturday, Sept. 28, Ann Arbor
- Washington vs Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 5, Seattle
- Illinois vs Michigan, Saturday, Oct. 19, Champaign, Illinois
- Michigan vs Michigan State (Alumni Recognition), Saturday, Oct. 26, Ann Arbor
- Michigan vs Oregon (Hall of Honor Recognition), Saturday, Nov. 2, Ann Arbor
- Indiana vs Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 9, Bloomington, Indiana
- Michigan vs Northwestern (Senior Day), Saturday, Nov. 23, Ann Arbor
- Ohio State vs Michigan, 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, Columbus, Ohio
Things to Know Before a Michigan Football Game
Location: Michigan Stadium, 1201 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Getting There:
- From Detroit Metro Airport or Points East: Take I-94 West to the Ann Arbor-Saline Road exit (#175). Turn right. As you travel north, Ann Arbor-Saline Road will turn into Main Street. Michigan Stadium is located at the northeast corner of Main Street and Stadium Boulevard.
- From Chicago or Points West: Take I-94 East to the Ann Arbor-Saline Road exit (#175). Turn left and follow Ann Arbor-Saline as it turns into Main Street. Michigan Stadium is located at the northeast corner of Main Street and Stadium Boulevard.
- From Toledo or Points South: Take US 23 north to I-94 West. Follow the directions above from Detroit Metro Airport.
- From Flint or Points North: Take U.S. 23 south to I-94 West. Follow directions from Detroit Metro Airport.
Where To Stay Nearby: Graduate Ann Arbor | Weber’s Boutique Hotel | Check Ann Arbor hotel rates and availability now!
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Have you been to a Michigan football game?
I shared my top tips for Michigan game day in Ann Arbor in this guide. If you have attended a Michigan football game, please share your insights with other readers in the comment section below!
These all sound like great tips for enjoying a game. The bag rule seems a little extreme, but as you noted, there are ways to work around it. I think the way to go would be to stay at a hotel and take the shuttle!
The size of the Michigan Stadium is incredible. The largest in the U.S. Wow!! I feel the energy and excitement of the games just reading through your article. I think the better next step is to attend a game. The no bag policy is quite strict, though your tip about pockets is priceless! I’m in Chicago, not very far…I think a nice weekend in Ann Arbor is a good idea. Thanks for the inspiration!!
What a fun time! I’m definitely adding Ann Arbor to my next Michigan trip..and Grand Rapids. Looks so fun. Yes, game day bags are a pain and they keep changing the size. ;( You look so great cheering on your team!
Sounds like an awesome experience happening here. The stadium seems packed to the rafters. No bag policy , is this typical when going to stadiums in the USA? In Australia they do bag checks and such and even body scanners. The food looks a of good standard for stadium fare
Mark, I’m not a fan of American football, and even I think the fan experience at Michigan Stadium is awesome! The energy, the fanfare, the food, and being in Ann Arbor all add to the fun of the day. As for the bag policy, it varies by venue across the United States. A few years ago, the National Football League (professional level) switched to a clear-bag policy for all of its games. Most other stadiums, arenas, and ballparks I’ve been to just ask to see inside your bag, and at some you might walk through a metal detector. While Michigan Stadium’s website states that the no bag policy is for safety and security measures, it seems to me it is just the most efficient way to get 100K+ people into a stadium in a timely fashion. So, if you decide to attend a sporting event or concert at a big stadium or arena in the US on your travels, it would be best to check the website for that particular venue’s policies.
My husband’s cousin lived in Ann Arbor at one time and we were able to attend a game at The Big House. Ann Arbor was a fun city to visit and I had a good time but sorry, Go Bucks! Ha Ha