Michigan football program announces 'moderate' raise in ticket prices for 2012 season
The Michigan football program announced in a news release Friday what it calls a "moderate" increase in ticket prices for the 2012 season.
The six-game home slate will go for $390, an average of $65 per game. That's an increase of $5 per game from 2011.
The cost to enter Michigan Stadium will rise this season.
Single-game options are available as well. Michigan designates the Oct. 20 game against Michigan State as premium and will charge $95. Matchups against Air Force, Massachusetts, Illinois, Northwestern and Iowa will cost $75.
Last year, marquee games against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State were $85, and everything else $70.
“We benchmarked our ticket prices against our peers and other comparable football venues and we have concluded that these prices will bring us closer to current industry standards,” Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon said in the release.
Season-ticket information will be sent out in early April. Partial ticket packages and individual tickets hit the market in July.
Michigan previously revealed student season ticket prices also will rise. They now cost $32.50 per game, plus a one-time fee of $10. That's a $2.50 bump per game from last season.
Kyle Meinke covers Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2588, by email at kylemeinke@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @kmeinke.
Comments
ian
Wed, Apr 4, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
The $5 a game fee sounds high, but in relation to other schools it isn't much. We have season ticket to both Michigan and Texas A&M. Our ticket renewal just came from A&M and for 5 games with the move to the SEC, it will cost us $2200 for 2 seats in the 3rd deck of Kyle Field. I'll take the $5 increase versus the $60 a game we took from A&M.
Spanky
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Apparently things are a little tight these days at the athletic dept. With all the building going on.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 7:28 a.m.
We cringe at the idea of handing $5 to a homeless beggar, we ignore that our government is bought off by big money donations from "businessmen" and we do nothing about the prodigiously wasteful, medieval jury trial system. But, oh, let us not forget to gripe and stamp our feet over football ticket prices. Homeless people, good government and sane justice just do not have the same excitement and entertainment value. Yay for Entertainment! Boo for Rational Existence! (Now watch the negative votes pile up for this post.)
aarox
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 5:27 a.m.
hey, its supply and demand. anybody want to argue for a ticket price increase during the RR era? gotta catch up sooner or later. we made a major bowl (doesn't matter why) and have a quarterback that is known at the national level. why wouldn't the price go up?
Geoff Larcom
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 1:37 a.m.
It is important to acknowledge that purchasing a Michigan season football ticket, which constitutes the bulk of Michigan seating, involves the purchase of a seat license, or annual donation of a certain amount. That can vary, as I recall, from $500 per ticket for premium, midfield seats to $50 for an endzone seat. Kyle, can you add this detail, so one can get a legitimate feel for say, the purchase price of two season tickets on the 30-yard line? The reality is that Michigan football is a national brand - an electrifying product to many. Only 5-6 schools can compete as far as attendance, and when U-M talks about benchmarking, these other schools have similar price points. But as southeastern Michigan and Washtenaw County families consider the overall cost of attending a game and savoring the football experience, take a look at the value of heading out to Rynearson Stadium at EMU and enjoying minimal expense, free parking, and a fine afternoon of Division I under under U-M defensive coach Ron English, now head of the Eastern program.
lefty48197
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 6:04 p.m.
Michigan football tickets are a rip off. If you buy season tickets, they cost about $60 each. Are you KIDDING me? That's what we pay to see the Detroit Lions or the Detroit Tigers and that's if we're sitting in GREAT seats. The BIG difference is that the pro teams have players getting paid $1 million, $5millions, $10 millions, or $15 million dollars per year. Those high salaries justify the high cost of game tickets. What is the University of Michigan's excuse? Perhaps they adopted the methods of the Wolvering basketball team and ARE paying their players professional style salaries? Otherwise, the price of Michigan Wolverine football tickets are WAY overpriced.
aarox
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 5:33 a.m.
if it was a rip off they wouldn't get 100000+ people (including me) to pay to sit in 11 inch seats week in and week out. methinks you get what you pay for..
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.
I hear you lefty. This is obviously just plain greed at it's darkest level brought on by an elitist governing body at the University if Michigan. I hear some fans on these sites justifying the rising costs by comparing the high ticket prices to the purchase of unnecessary electronic toys, how silly and absurd. The constant increase in tickets and concessions are due in part to greed and in part to the rising cost of everything. You don't have to look any further than the cost of bottled water for sell at the stadium or that extravagant scoreboard just to name a couple. The time will come when they overstep their boundries on cost and they will be the first to say, it was fair market value we just don't get it, ohio got away with it.
Wally the Wolverine
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
The other rejected option was to take that 12" section of bench they give you and reduce it by 3 inches.
15crown00
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
You bench marked your ticket price to pay the bills of the athletic dept.because there are so many non revenue sports and you lose a 7th home game to the neutral site game in Texas. If the "BIG HOUSE" had 150,000 seats it would still sell out Every game just because. It's time to use the "Big House" for more revenue producing events,i.e concerts. All sorts of organizations have fundraisers.So To Can those sports that produce little or no revenue.
Doug
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:14 p.m.
Typical greed!
johnnya2
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
Six home games go for $390. How much do people pay for an Iphone? An Ipad? A car payment? Car Insurance? Gas per year? Pizza? Movies? Get over it. It is still a value to most people. If you don't like it, DONT GO. There that was simple. I bet there will be plenty of people waiting to take your place in the stadium.
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:06 p.m.
You must be very young. Time will help you get over yourself.
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
they make upwards of 7.5 million per home game.That would make it over 37,000000 for the season. This is estemate on the assumption that 135000 pay the $65 average.
15crown00
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
they may make 7.5 million per home game but thev visitors get a fairly large payout and expenses are huge.
annarboral
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
The reason is something called Title IX. That is, we now have to offer full ride scholarships to all women's sports (men's sports too) like crew that have essentially no revenue from fans. Football pays the bills for the entire sports department. The only exceptions are Men's basketball and hockey. Because of football the U-M sports propgram doesn't cost U-M anything. In fact it often makes contributions to U-M and allows the use of sports facilities for non sporting events (e.g. graduation, Dali Lama visit).
Meral
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.
It is the capitalism at best, would be nice though if the great U of M shares some of the $$$$$ to help out our crumbled streets.
OLDTIMER3
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
I prefer to watch their games on tv rather than go to stadium. Because of prices mainly, traffic will be terrible this year with the bridge construction, and parking fees. If I weant to go to a reasonably priced game I'll go to Easterns games at Ryerson stadium. Way cheaper easier to get in and out, just as much fun.
G-Man
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:34 p.m.
No wonder Ms. Coleman is whining about the State money................I wouldn't pay $10 to watch MSU play...Can't imagine having to fork over that much......Think of the nice golf courses one could play for that kind of money.. For a couple, we're talking close to a $300 day when including gas, parking and concessions. What if i wanted a tee shirt? Better bring $400 that day........ I guess they're doing their best to keep the riff-Raff out........
nattiejames
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:11 p.m.
It's a fundamental: when demand exceeds supply, prices go up. For those of us who are unwilling to bow out of going to the games, the real pain won't be this year (only six home games this time around), but I doubt the prices will be reduced by $5 per game when UM schedules 8 home games, and that happens fairly routinely. Pain at the turnstile, to be sure, but I wasn't thinking about that during the 4th quarter of the ND game, nor was I thinking about that when walking out of the stadium after an excellent team performance against Nebraska.
towny
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
Me and my family are done going to the stadium. We can enjoy just fine from home. All the positives of watching from home far exceed the negatives of going their. The university has billions in the bank. I get sick every time I hear them cry about money. The price of taking your family to a game has become way to much for the average household to pay. What a shame.
FCBarcelona1899
Sun, Apr 1, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
I agree too. At least at home you can invite friends over and BBQ while watching the game. Heck it's cheaper to do it that way to begin with!
jns131
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
I could not agree more.
Dick Patten
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:51 a.m.
I am a little disappointed with the raise in prices. I am on disability and we come out from New Hampshire and Washington State once a year to see a game. None of us went to Michigan. I have been a die hard fan since 1975. I have to use a wheelchair toget around. The ticket increases along with those for traveling and hotel rooms is going to make it difficult to come out. I am hopeful I will make it this year. I have met some wonderful people such as the ushers, students at Michigan but i don't know what to do. I realize every college has to keep up with the increased costs, but do the fans need to pay.? Go Blue, and I am praying I will be able to come this year.
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 7:10 p.m.
Mr Patten, I too am disabled, I'm a disabled Veteran and yes I long for the old days when ticket prices were a fair ratio to my income which is a fixed rate by Uncle Sam with a very small cost of living increase once a year. Please don't get me wrong Mr Patten I'm thankful to have my military disability retirement although I'm pretty much done being able to financially enjoy a home game at our beautiful Michigan stadium. I keep many golden treasures of old home games gone by locked away in my memories.
Lets Get Real
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
Dick Patten - I understand your disappointment with the raise in prices and I understand the pressure on your budget. Ann Arbor has some wonderful people. I contacted a friend who owns a bed and breakfast in Ann Arbor who would like to work with you to keep your string of visits going. Look on the Internet for Davies House Inn. The won't change the ticket prices but your experience will be memorable.
annarbortownie
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.
Oh dear.... Sky Boxes not selling well. What a surprise. I LOVE Michigan football and the Big House but I do not understand the need for the "private" boxes. The excuse that "everyone is doing it" does not fly.
leaguebus
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
You need to see a game in one. Of course , that being said, I can't afford to do this regularly, but it is a hoot.
Dcam
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:07 a.m.
Prices have come a long way since $2.00 student ticket days, and the big event in the stands was the card section. But, that was Camp Randall, not the Big House - I don't know what they did here.
lefty48197
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
I remember $3 student endzone tickets on game day and I remember "Band Day" when we played Navy. U of M has fallen a LONG way since those days.
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 4:35 p.m.
I actually remember lining up outside the stadium and purchasing a student ticket for around $2.00 at a ticket booth. That memory is a treat. If Mr Marketeer Brandon keeps tweeking the cost of everything he will eventually be confronted with the old adage, "What if I threw a party and nobody came". I hear people getting irritated about these prices and it's my opinion that Mr Brandon is not listening. The Domino's people did not listen either and they suffered for it and still are.
Hunterjim
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.
I payed a dollar for anywhere in the end zones. After halftime we could move to any empty seat in the stadium! Those were the days.
Lemmy Caution
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 4:06 a.m.
I hope they finally decide to pay the players this year, since there's SO MUCH money to be made from college football. Or at least guarantee the players 4 full years of scholarship (not year by year) in case they decide that they really like their biology class and may become doctors after college and may need to lower their football commitment to 20 hours a week during the fall term..... This is one of the great shames of U of M. And we're not alone.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:34 a.m.
One problem with paying players is very few programs actually turn a profit. Easy to say here at UofM but drive east on Washtenaw turn left on Hewitt and how are they going to pay players?
truebluefan
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:16 a.m.
How 'bout that blonde to the left?
aareader
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
Is that the blonde at your party at home or ...
nattiejames
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : noon
I'll settle for the brunette if that's what it takes for our place kicker to make game-winning field goals.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:28 a.m.
you don't get that at home
treetowncartel
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:22 a.m.
The September games are best on the radio, on a boat, on a lake, in northern Michigan.
catfishrisin
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:45 a.m.
Greatest show? 2004 The Ohio State University 37 - The Team Up North 21 2005 The Ohio State 25 - The Team Up North 21 2006 The Ohio State University 42 - The Team Up North 39 2007 The Ohio State University 14 - The Team Up North 3 2008 The Ohio State University 42 - The Team Up North 7 2009 The Ohio State University 21 - The Team Up North 10 2010 The Ohio State University 37 - The Team Up North 7 2011 The Ohio State University 34 - The Team Up North 40 ( Oh well, need to throw a bone once in a while) Greatest comedy show maybe...Go Bucks!!!!
lefty48197
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
I heard stories for decaded about how drunk and combative Buckeye "fans" are and how poorly they treat their visitors "from the north". I've attended dozens of games at the Big Bowl and I've NEVER seen anybody get sucker punched by a UM fan and I've NEVER see anybody's car get vandalized because of it's license plate. Personally, I'm just disgusted with Buckeye football fans. If I were an OSU fan, I would be ashamed of them.
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 4:43 p.m.
catfish is a bottom feeder !
aareader
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
Before you pat yourself on the back too much the conditions at the stadium "down south" are really no better.
eagleman
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 1:51 a.m.
You apparently forgot the years 1989-2000 when UM won 10 of 12.
Hailmary
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:49 a.m.
And still I ask, who the hell wants to pay to fight traffic, high gas prices, insufferable parking and prices, ridiculous concession prices, mob like attendance and then ya gotta fight your way out into traffic jams and high gas prices home. On the other hand, we turn on the Big Screen fire up the barbecue, some friends roll in and oh by the way, they bring the drinks and three quarters of the food. We get great replay that we can see and did I mention, the water is free and we have the best seats for viewing. Yes, we to like to catch a game Once in awhile but for the most part we like our home and friends over and no drunk drivers in our living room. Occasionally we catch a Friday night football game at our high school and we're just fine with that Mr. Dave Brandon.
aareader
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:01 p.m.
Your post makes more sense every time I read it.
annarbortownie
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:21 a.m.
AND... you forgot to add the possibility that some drunk will get sick all over which happened near us last year.
Blue Marker
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:38 a.m.
I get your point. But I can't describe how it felt to be at that Notre Dame game last year. Sometimes there's nothing like being there!
Terry Star21
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:42 a.m.
I know that it doesn't seem fair to many, considering what the University makes per home game. Their are however, a lot of things to take in consideration - but bottom line is the money helps fund other sports programs and constant upgrades appropriate for college footballs best and most popular team. People knock off off six Starbucks next week and you will come out even. The part I don't like is when our so called fans, sell their oso, msu and nd tickets for $1000.-$1500. However, for those with families it's still possible to buy tickets game day for as little as $20. just before kickoff. MgoBlueForTiM....paying whatever they ask for the Greatest Show on Earth
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
"However, for those with families it's still possible to buy tickets game day for as little as $20. just before kickoff. " While that may be true, packing up the family and heading to the stadium without tickets hoping to find enough together from a "scalper" selling below face value doesn't seem like a plan most people would jump on.
Theo212
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:27 a.m.
Brandon has everything going great. 1. Fires Our King so we can "win the Big Ten." Whoooopppeeeeee! 2. Raises ticket prices in 2011 (unnecessarily). 3. 95 degrees at WMU game. Theo goes to get water from a drinking fountain. Water temp: 115 degrees. 4. Installs new scoreboards (unnecessarily). 5. Actual screen is same size as old ones, still no out of town scores. 6. Scoreboards don't work for Nebraska game. 7. Raises ticket prices in 2012 (double unnecessarily). This is Michigan? Don't look, Bo. Hopefully sanity returns soon.
aareader
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:59 p.m.
I like your "kind of talk"
Terry Star21
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 12:44 a.m.
I knew it....you still go to games....
Laura J
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
It's a sad day when we can't afford to take our family to a Michigan football game. This is our hometown and we should be able to go at least once as a family. With 6 kids and 2 adults it will be well over $600 and that seems excessive. There should be some type of family price.
jns131
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:44 p.m.
I agree Laura. UM is way too pricey for my budget. You can take a family of 4 to WDW for a much nicer place to do more then watch a bunch of insensitive men scream at a bunch of sweaty guys tackling each other.
ecom24
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
Well, there's always Disney World. ;)
ted
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 11:17 p.m.
Waa, waa , waa. Watch it on tv
GoBlueGoWing
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
"current industry standards" Way to be Leaders. Everyone else is doing it.
aareader
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
You stated it well. Appears having revenue to cover expenses is not the real motivation of ticket prices. Charge what the market will support? (The goose that lays golden eggs story comes to mind) A real great philosophy for a public institution. Sooner or later sports success may be a challenge and attempts to generate support may not be well received.
Craig Lounsbury
Sat, Mar 31, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.
nicely played
MRunner73
Fri, Mar 30, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
Sounds like the 6 game home schedule in 2012 will really put the hurt financially on the Athletic Department, so just raise ticket prices some more. Gott love the sugar coating wording on only a moderate price and are closer to "current indusrty standards". I can rest real easy over that. Let's hope gas prices fall below $4/gal by then not to mention the cost to park, maybe that will go up moderately as well. I suppose 125,000 to 150,000 would or could attend U of M home games but you wonder when the limit will be reached. Good thing we are comng off an 11 and 2 season with a beloved Head Football coach and not 7 and 5 with increasing turmoil. In the end, I go to as many home games as I can, bite the bullet and yell GO BLUE!!!, just the same.