Michigan football tickets will cost a little more during 2011 season
Want to see the likes of Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State this season at Michigan Stadium.
It will cost you a little more than previous seasons.
The University of Michigan announced Monday that fans will pay $480 for season tickets to each of the team’s eight home games in 2011, an average of $60 per ticket.
Last year, season tickets cost $375 for seven home games, an average of $53.57 per game. As was the case last year, variable pricing is available in separate tiers and in partial-ticket packages.
“Our goal is to provide our fans with a menu of ticket options and great game-day experiences this upcoming season,” athletic director Dave Brandon said in a written statement.
Individual game tickets will be available for most home games at $70 per ticket. For matchups against “premium” opponents - the Fighting Irish, Cornhuskers and Buckeyes - fans will pay $85 per individual ticket sale.
A limited number of season-ticket packages are also available for the first time since the university completed a renovation project last fall.
For more information and to sign up for tickets, go to Michigan's official website.
Comments
Ross
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:36 p.m.
@ BigWolverine: Heck yes I think the (ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT) of Michigan is a profit making enterprise! It is currently operated for continuous expansion and growth! Do you disagree? Look at the ridiculous facility upgrades and administration/coaching salaries that only continue to grow. No doubt the football program helps fund other sports. But should we really give full ride scholarships to fencing enthusiasts and cheerleaders anyway? And what proportion of football revenue supports other sports vs. defending its own bloated budget? I don't fault Michigan for this alone. The entirety of college football has become a money grabbing disgrace. Expanding conferences just to play an extra game, slapping advertisements onto anything that people can see, letting cheaters into championships just to keep the ratings up, etc. It's pathetic. I agree that the ticket prices are what they are as long as demand is there to pay them. But look for the plummeting street prices and room in the stands in an economy that continues to struggle. And YES, I am indeed a graduate of the university (2006). Even on a decent Engineering salary, after supporting my small family and making the mortgage payment, I don't feel like I can afford to go cram myself into a monstrous sea of people. Something is wrong here. Anyway, I can rant all I want here, but come August, I will be PUMPED for Michigan football whether I can help it or not, so there ya go.
1st Down
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:02 p.m.
The ticket price increase is a direct result of the immediate need to recoup some of the $20 million that Bill Martin's folly blew on the Rich Rod Error. RR's salary, multiple buyouts, equipment upgrades for the failed S&C program under Barwis, missing Bowl revenues lost for 2 years, loss of merchandising due to losses on the field and a drop in the program's profile ....and oh yeah those pesky NCAA investigation legal fees. All add up to over $20 million dollars = cost of the RR Error. Ticket price increase = Your RR dollars at work. Go Blue. This is (now) Michigan.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Right on, RR was an expense we'll all pay for, for quite awhile and the mega, mega millions spent on the stadium, scoreboards and cost of new coaching staff for from now on. Ol RR just about bankrupt Michigan. Good thing Dave is in charge he knows just what to do to recoup that lost RR revenue. Go get em Dave, do what you were hired to do, swim with the sharks.
lumberg48108
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
As long as the stadium continues to sell out, tickets are not overpriced ... the market will determine that! Compared to Ohio State, its still a decent value but I have to admit, a family of four who wants to go to ONE U-M game per year will struggle in this economy... including parking and food its an expensive day! My concern is market driven, adding the extra (crappy) game was a nice windfall for the school, but it takes something away from the season. There was a time when finding tickets was not easy - even before Rich Rod. Now, with an extra crappy game, second hand tickets are everywhere as season ticket holders look to recoup their costs because they do want to pay to see a another crappy MAC team ... This goes to show how close college football is to jumping the shark! "Event" games like neutral site games in Texas are nice to talk about but take away from the weekly schedule. Now there is a conference title game ... there is only too much of something when there is too much!!! In other words, you only know when you are saturated in a market AFTER, not before. College ADs need to be aware -- all college major college sports are close to saturation and the short term profits (like Big Ten Network and neutral site games) will diminish the core product eventually.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:59 p.m.
You can slice that anyway you want they are still pricey. On an average, gas around the country is cheaper than where I live in California but that doesn't help me one bit when I go to the gas pump. I have to buy gas but I choose not to buy tickets to college or pro games anymore. The public will wise up in time. The key words here are, "in time" in the mean time the rich get richer and greed is really all this is about. Don't you notice more and more folks getting anxious about these ticket prices, take heed Michigan.
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
Why is everyone so surprised here ? Have you not been to the grocery store lately ? fill your gas tank ? paid your cable/internet bill ? everything has gone up,especially petroleum type products,which is a long list of products ! The stadium renovation ,HD scoreboards,heck the lighting systems for night games was in the millions.. Dave Brandon is simply the messenger here.. I read several articles one yesterday by the Bleacher report ,that Michigan has a chance to go un-defeated this fall,some of the authors points: msu defense is really not that good losing Greg Jones,and young secondary,osu could possibly be without the VEST !,and Mattsons defense will be much improved over the past 3 yrs..Michigan offense which already highly ranked and so on.. I invested in a 55inch high definition ,plasma flat panel tv, hooked up with a dvr,so I can record the game,pause to get brats off the grill,or a beer from the fridge,or to use the bathroom with no line..On the occasion to see a live game,i buy the tickets outside the stadium on game day ..just one solution is all... GO Blue..
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:05 p.m.
Yes, I've got the big screen to and firing up the barbe on game day and staying home close to my fridge is great. After I left Mich. yrs. ago and moved to Calif. I used to go to USC games, sometimes UCLA. Parking prices around USC got crazy and driving down to the Rose Bowl to watch UCLA got old real quick so, I do like you and love it just fine. Oh, I do fly my Mich. flag on game day. A lot of Mich. fans out here in the desert you'd be surprised
BigWolverine13
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.
What nonsense! Do you think the U of M is a profit making organization? Are there stockholders and fat-cat executives flying around the world on Michigan owned jets? Is someone getting paid dividends on U of M stock? Who is filling their pockets with the "profits" -- as you call it? All the excess revenue from football is used to fund other athletics and related activities at Michigan. Get real! I sincerely hope none of the above naively negative comments come from anyone actually educated at Michigan -- that would be an embarrassment!
Blu-dogg97
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
very good point BIG !!
Ross
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:28 p.m.
No. This is ridiculous. Watching a football game with 109,500 other people should not be accessible only for those making 6 figure salaries or willing to sacrifice other important things in their lives. This is not warranted by coaching salaries. The stadium renovation was not demanded by the fans. And quick math tells us that U of M will gross $53 MILLION dollars this coming season from ticket sales alone. Include merchandise and concessions and that figure probably doubles. This is a profit making enterprise designed to GROW when really, status quo should be seen as acceptable. This pains me to type as an avid Michigan fan, but I am sick of this disgusting display of capitalism we call college football. IF, IF I attend a game this year, I will buy tickets on the street as another poster mentioned. They can usually be had for half of face price. Especially if we go through another season in the dumpster.
A2D2
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
Whoa! Let me correct my self! $480 is for * games, while $375 was for 7 games! We don't have a 28% increase as was previously reported by ME, we only have a 12% increase........Which, if you really take a long hard look at it is a easier to accept than the $4 dogs...........
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:34 p.m.
Does the average fan get a 12% pay raise? With this out of control inflation don't let the figures (ticket hike) fool you. Your dollars went much further last year than this year. If you don't comprehend this, look at what you paid for a weeks worth of groceries this time last year or gas for that matter. I believe that the, "complainers" like me are weighing the over all picture. This isn't about just the fact that Mich. is raising their prices it's about the run away prices in the whole country, the Michigan ticket price hike is just a portion of this problem. I prefer to stay home and enjoy the game on my big screen but when I was young 10-40 yrs of age I enjoyed going to games with say 2-5 friends or family members. At these prices I guess I'll just have to enjoy the memories. By the way as I got older I enjoyed taking the kids. At the present cost of tickets that enjoyment of taking the family is a distant good memory for many folks, to bad.
A2D2
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:36 p.m.
Going from $375 to $480 is a 28% increase, right in line with my pay raise this year (I wish). . But remember, not only do I get to pay 28% more for my ticket, I get to pay $4 for a bad hot dog, $4 for a Coke with no lid, and wait in 20 minute long bathroom lines. . And if the Maize and Blue beats MSU and OSU, it'll all be worth it! Every cent and every inconvenience!!!!!!!!!!
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:33 p.m.
A2D2 - remember 8 home games this year, not 7...
DonAZ
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
(A) Don't like the prices? Then don't go to the game. That's the free market. You are not *entitled* to tickets. Nearly all of them are on TV now anyways. (B) Buy a ticket on the street. That how I've done it every time I've gone to a game there. Hope for bad weather; ticket prices tumble (C) Do you like sports like women's volleyball and men's baseball? Guess what Michigan sport revenue pays to provide those? You got it ... football.
michboy40
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:21 a.m.
College FB is a business and if the fans will pay, the price will go up. Sorry to say...for fans like me, that means not going to games unless I get lucky and someone gives me a ticket. Or walking up at teh last minute when were playing a crappy team...that would be affordable.
Dr. Rockso
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:20 a.m.
Mr Applewhite your reply to Mr Briegel is inaccurate as are many of the Tricky Rick supporters comments. There are two suites still available 508 and 528. Please try to get your fact right.
Dr. Rockso
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 10:27 a.m.
Once again Mr. Applewhite you cant get your fact straight. Check it out. <a href="http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/east_suite_level.php" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/east_suite_level.php</a>
Marshall Applewhite
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6 a.m.
Dave Brandon said he had agreements in principal for every suite. If he actually still had some still available on the open market, this doesn't strike me as something anyone would have said..........
Rodie
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3 a.m.
I think this is completely out of line. There are people incharge at this organization who are eroding the core values. Maybe they should on rebuilding their product (the team) before raising the price. As if the parking situation isn't bad enough...
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:19 a.m.
Rodie, good point. Folks are being bombarded with price hikes and we're not just talking about Mich. football tickets. Mich. football tickets are a luxury item that folks can live without.
Terry Star21
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:25 a.m.
Where is everyones TrueBlue spirit ? I for one, will pay what ever they ask for my season tickets - there is nothing like Michigan Football for the Faithfuls. Maybe some of the bellyachers should think about those $60-$100 meals you buy, those expensive vacations Realtors and Bankers take every two-weeks - make a list of your expenses, then double check. Did any of that money and time spent match anything close to a Michigan Football Home Game ? Then there are the people that scalp their tickets for $100's of dollars...the guy that owns 4-seats next to me sells his on ebay - every game. He laughs at the small increase in price, he'll pay for all his tickets with either the ND, OSU, or NEB. game hands down. The $6.43 increase per ticket is a small price to pay - some of you pay that every morning for your Starbucks ! This fall - I can't wait to see the new Coaches, the Team, the Fan's, the Tailgating, the Stadium and our SUPER NEW SCOREBOARDS - and I don't care what it costs ! MgoBlue....
David Vande Bunte
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:55 p.m.
Reply to Portage: For folks on a tight budget, myself included, what is the real difference between 375 and 480 dollar season tickets? Either way they can't afford to go. I live in Grandville, near Grand Rapids. I already can't afford to go to Michigan Stadium. Sorry, but someone who can't afford the new rates probably couldn't afford the old rates either, so its really kind of a hollow complaint.
jcj
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:35 a.m.
"This fall - I can't wait to see the new Coaches, the Team, the Fan's, the Tailgating, the Stadium and our SUPER NEW SCOREBOARDS - and I don't care what it costs ! " You should run for city council! You might start caring when you start paying your own way !
jcj
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:28 a.m.
He said as he cashed a check from his parents to pay for his student tickets!
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:50 a.m.
Maybe you should think about folks that are on a tight budget. Some Michigan fans are financially struggling excuse me I mean some Michigan "bellyachers" are financially struggling. We should all be careful about the words we choose, some folks are not as fortunate as others.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:20 a.m.
I will add one comment to my previous, I did think they would wait one year. Why you ask, well the product over the last 4 yrs has been disappointing at best and we really don't know what Brady Hoke is bringing to our table. We assume he's going to bring a better product say, next year. I think after all the difficult drama and cost they put Mich. fans through and embarrassment they could have waited one year. They say Brady is going to take us back to the old days of smash mouth, well boys and girls, you just got your first taste of that smash mouth in your wallet. Welcome to the new Mich. football, get ready, it's gonna cost you.
Jackson
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
Why? for all we know Hoke could put a worthless product out on the field as Richard did. If anything they should be lowered to draw some us fans back from out of our caves!
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:31 a.m.
So, now come on boys and girls none of us were so naive as to think the price of a ticket wasn't going up, stadium remodel, coaching salaries, new high definition scoreboards. I mean, you boys and girls didn't think it was a gift to the fans did you. Now, for the most important issue. Is the price of a Hot Dog going up?
Tru2Blu76
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:57 a.m.
I hope they're going to set up a fund using the money for increased ticket prices: for tattoos, so the players don't have to sell their Michigan memorabilia to get one (or a few). Well, the new high definition scoreboards are being put up at Michigan Stadium right now, so at least the majority of fans will be more entertained in return for the additional bucks they're shelling out.
jcj
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:52 a.m.
The Athletic Departments budget continues to go through the roof, Administrators salaries continue to go through the roof. It would appear that they would prefer nothing but the high society snobs be able to afford a ticket.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:46 a.m.
Actually you are closer to the truth than you think.
tater
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:48 a.m.
Once again, David Brandon shows his true colors. Economy? What economy? Economy shmamamony. Let them eat cake. I sure am glad I moved away while it was under $30 a ticket. The only bright side is that the scalpers are going to really take a bath when their $60 tickets for games against "directional" go for $10 five minutes before game time.
1st Down
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:03 p.m.
your misplaced anger should be directed at the $20 million dollar bust Rich Rod...Tater...buy a clue.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:48 a.m.
I think Dave Brandon is thinking, Domino's.
heartbreakM
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:46 a.m.
Well, referring to other discussion about whether high-revenue producing athletes are "exploited", I guess we now have extra money to pay these athletes to play. :) I can't believe how much money these games cost. The experience is second to none, if you like athletics, but it is getting to be quite a lot of money rivaling the pro game (if not more) and when will it all end?
michboy40
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:14 a.m.
It will all end when the fans quite buying the tickets.
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:51 a.m.
Yes, and if you live any distance from the stadium let's not forget the increase in the price of gas to and from the stadium. Unless this economy gets better in the near future their going to have to operate like the P.O. does with stamps, a little will never be enough.
David Briegel
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 11:40 p.m.
Imagine this. Despite all the bucks from shipping the Alabama game to Jerry Jones. Can't rent all of Martin's suites, eh? Get used to it fans. You are subsidizing the billionaires just like you do everywhere else in our once proud society!! Good Job MSC and DB! He Dave, Maybe Slick Rick can lease all the empty suites for his billionaire buddies!
PortageLkBlu
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:17 p.m.
I remember lining up and buying student tickets at the ticket booths. Yes, that was awhile back. I have a lot of good economic memories of Michigan games decades ago and I bring up those memories on football Saturday in front of my big screen, next to my fridge, not far from my barbecue. I can afford the ticket prices however, I choose not to. That is my choice as you have your choices. In my opinion those ticket prices are not fair for the average fan, so what else is new.
Marshall Applewhite
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:01 p.m.
They don't update that website frequently enough. Trust me, I recently inquired about purchasing a suite with my partners, and was told they are unavailable.
Dr. Rockso
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 10:36 a.m.
Mr. Applewhite. There are 2 suites still available. This is searchable on Mgoblue.com. All the chairback seats where the old press box was are sold out. If you trust everything you read in the newspaper you will be a sadly misinformed person . Check it out. <a href="http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/east_suite_level.php" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/east_suite_level.php</a>
Marshall Applewhite
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:04 a.m.
<a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110308/SPORTS06/110308035/Michigan-s-Dave-Brandon-says-football-coach-Brady-Hoke-hasn-t-asked-much" rel='nofollow'>http://www.freep.com/article/20110308/SPORTS06/110308035/Michigan-s-Dave-Brandon-says-football-coach-Brady-Hoke-hasn-t-asked-much</a> " Brandon said all of Michigan Stadium's suites and club seats are sold out. ... His 45-minute presentation focused on his leadership style and how he runs the athletic department, following the model he used when leading Valassis and Domino's Pizza. While making clear he "hates" Ohio State, Brandon pointed out OSU is the athletic department standard he is shooting for as far as more revenue, more sports, better facilities and better academic standing in football. Brandon also cited Texas and Florida as the best departments in the country."
David Briegel
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:30 a.m.
marshall, see Dr Rockso. and there are always empty seats where the press box used to be because of the "donation" required. Heck, I would pay face (regular price) value for any of those empty seats! Guess your 7 votes were also wrong, eh?
Marshall Applewhite
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 11:44 p.m.
The suites are already sold out for the 2011 season. (Sorry. I didn't mean to let facts get in the way of your argument.)