Michigan StadiumAbout Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, commonly known as “The Big House,” is the football stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the home of the Michigan Wolverines. It opened in 1927 and has been expanded repeatedly; its official seating capacity is roughly 107,000.
Game days draw very large crowds, with attendance regularly exceeding 100,000 for major matchups and occasional record attendances above that level. Outside of games visitors use guided tours to see the field, press facilities, and stadium history exhibits.
Originally opened in 1927 to host college football, the stadium has undergone multiple enlargements and renovations across the 20th and 21st centuries to add seating, media facilities, and spectator amenities. It remains primarily a collegiate football venue.
The stadium sits on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, roughly 40 miles west of Detroit, and is accessible from the city center by local roads and special event transit on game days.
- Capacity: Official seating capacity is approximately 107,000, making it the largest stadium in the United States and the Western Hemisphere.
- Visitor advice: Public stadium tours are available on non-game days; arrive early on game days for parking and tailgating, which begin several hours before kickoff.
What to See#
- Field: The playing surface is a standard American football field measuring 120 yards long including end zones and surrounded by fixed spectator seating that exceeds 100,000 seats.
- Press box and suites: The press box and premium suites sit on the west side of the stadium and contain media facilities and corporate hospitality areas used on game days.
- Student section and band area: The student section and marching band occupy a concentrated area of the stands and are central to the on-field game-day atmosphere on home Saturdays.
Best Time to Visit Michigan Stadium
Best time: early fall (September-November) to experience college football games and the stadium atmosphere.
Weather & Climate near Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 29°C. Moderate rainfall (865 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -1° | -11° | 50 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| February | Poor | -8° - 1° | -9° | 47 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.3 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.4h |
| March | Poor | -3° - 7° | -2° | 68 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 14° | 6° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Good | 9° - 22° | 15° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.8 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| June | Excellent | 14° - 27° | 20° | 88 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.1h |
| July | Excellent | 16° - 29° | 23° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 3.0 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.8h |
| August | Excellent | 15° - 27° | 21° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.8 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Excellent | 11° - 23° | 17° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 5° - 16° | 11° | 62 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 8° | 1° | 74 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
| December | Poor | -6° - 2° | -7° | 67 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.0h |
How to Get to Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium (The Big House) is on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. From Detroit and points east take I‑94 west to Ann Arbor (approximately 40 miles/60-70 km from Detroit depending on start point) and follow signs to the university and stadium; from downtown Ann Arbor the stadium is roughly 1-2 miles and can be reached by a short taxi ride, local bus, or a 20-30 minute walk, with extensive event-day parking and shuttle services.
Tips for Visiting Michigan Stadium
- On game days arrive 90-120 minutes before kickoff-parking and tailgating areas fill early and arriving well ahead avoids long entry and security queues.
- Use the University of Michigan gameday shuttles or park‑and‑ride options rather than trying to find on‑campus parking; the university publishes a gameday transport map and shuttle schedule.
- If you're visiting outside of a game, book an official stadium tour in advance-tours are limited and are often suspended around major events, so check availability before you go.