Attending First Game - Seating Question
MGoUsers, I just won tickets to the SMU game through Veteran's Ticket Foundation, Vettix. I won't know my seats until 24-48 hours prior to the game according to their site. I'm hoping the collective mind will know where/what section these tickets typically go to. I have a family of 6 and was going to Stubhub to try and secure 2 more tickets (I can only get 4 through Vettix) for the rest of my family. If anyone has advice or knowledge on this, please let me know.
That being said, this will be my/our first Ann Arbor and Big House experience. What, if any tailgates, sites to see, stores, restaurants do you recommend? We will be driving from and back to Dayton, OH on the same day so we can't do a large list of things but I definitely want to see more than just the game. All suggestions are welcome for family friendly activities! Thanks!
September 5th, 2018 at 12:47 PM ^
I have no clue on where your seats will be and it's been a long time since I did AA so I'm lousy tour guide but....
Thank you for your service and have a GREAT time.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^
It is my pleasure to serve. You're a kindred spirit being from Cleveland and all so I appreciate your posts all the more.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:50 PM ^
Honestly I wouldn't use Stubhub for the SMU game and would just try to get two on site before kickoff. I see a lot of people trying to off load tickets for that game.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:57 PM ^
I think this is a bad idea for a family of also trying to enjoy the day in Ann Arbor. It would be cheaper but then you have to spend part of your time wandering around, negotiating with ticket sellers and trying to find random sellers with tickets near your section.
I can't answer the seating question. For the things to do around Ann Arbor all depends what you are looking for. The best tailgating for a family is on the golf course. If you don't mind your kids seeing drunk college kids its a scene to walk down State street and then right down hoover to get to the game. Walking around downtown on main street is great and just through the campus.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
Since this is your first time going to a game in AA I would suggest getting to AA at least 2 to 3 hours before kickoff. This way you can find a good parking spot (if you don't have one already) and then figure out where you need to go from there.
Getting to AA closer to kickoff can get dicey because any parking close to the stadium is gone and anything that is close will be super expensive.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:51 PM ^
Just a guess, but the tickets from Vettix are most likely donated by people who sit all around the stadium, so I'm not you'll be able to pinpoint where you'll be sitting.
Enjoy your first trip to The Big House! Go Blue!!
-Zingermanns - if you want one of the most talked about restaurants in A2 (expensive but good)
-Frita Batidos - Cuban-style burgers, newer place, very popular and good
-Big Ten Burrito - one of the best burrito joints in town, conveniently located on the walk to the stadium
September 5th, 2018 at 12:59 PM ^
pizza bob's. get a sister ann with meat. combine that with a chocolate/coffee milk shake. you will be happy.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:05 PM ^
The past Vettix events I've attended had all the tickets in one area. This is my first sporting event through them so it may be different. Luckily I already know my seats, contrary to what the site says.
September 5th, 2018 at 3:35 PM ^
not gonna lie always thought zingermanns was overrated. Yeah it's a cool experience and all, but Frita and BTB are far more bang for the buck and better overall imo.
September 5th, 2018 at 12:58 PM ^
Lots of tkts will be available for that game.
Cheap.
Buy at game.
Go early, enjoy the campus.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:00 PM ^
I've sat in a lot of different locations in Michigan Stadium, and I'm not sure there's really a bad seat. Sure, some are better than others. But none horrible.
Back in the 1989 - 1994 time frame I was buying tickets off the street, and had pretty good luck doing it. Is that still a thing? Or do most people just push their unwanted tickets up to an online broker now?
September 5th, 2018 at 1:02 PM ^
Well, turns out the site was just overly cautious with timelines. We are in section 14 row 26. Stubhub is only showing seats 20 rows above that so I'm hoping that changes as the game nears.
September 5th, 2018 at 2:01 PM ^
You mentioned you were going with a family, so while I am sure you could save $10 (maybe even $20) per ticket by waiting until you get to the game to buy tickets for a scalper, you'll have to weigh that monetary benefit against knowing before Saturday that you've got all your tickets, in the section you want, and won't have to worry about the hassle of finding the "right" scalper before the game.
Whenever I go with family to an SMU-type game, I use StubHub (or buy extras from friends) -- tix are still pretty cheap and I don't have to drag my son around while trying to find a good scalper.
Whenever I go with friends to the same type game, then I go the scalper route, as it's more freeform and the cheapest.
Enjoy the game!
September 5th, 2018 at 1:07 PM ^
I often enjoy showing first-time game day visitors the Law Quad -- not too far from the Stadium (compared to many other parts of campus) and very memorable.
The steps of the Union are pretty cool ... there's a sign indicating where JFK gave a speech that was to be the spark that ignited the launch of the Peace Corps. (Love it or hate it, that's noteworthy.)
The Diag is worth seeing as the heart of one of America's great college campuses, especially if it's a pretty Fall day.
I'd recommend Ann Arbor Golf & Outing for parking. Classic U-M golf course tailgate site.
September 5th, 2018 at 6:28 PM ^
FYI steps to the Union are fenced off - as is the whole building - during renovations. Until, approximately, 2165.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:31 PM ^
Hopefully this Q is building on AFWolverine and not thread jacking. I'm also going to the SMU, first time back on campus in 15 years. For the 3:30 start what time when (and where) does the band start the walk in to the stadium? Is walking in behind the band still a thing people do? I have fond memories of doing that occasionally instead of the usual proper tailgate, if it is still a thing might be worthwhile AFWolverine?
September 5th, 2018 at 1:36 PM ^
I 100% intend on being present for the band entrance, even if from our seats. I didn't know about the possible follow-in so that would be cool to do maybe. Thanks!
September 5th, 2018 at 6:29 PM ^
ABSOLUTELY be in your seat for "Baaaaannnnddd, take the field!"
September 5th, 2018 at 6:18 PM ^
They typically start at Revelli on Hoover and march to the stadium. So if you're into that scene you could head over there and catch the march out, or wait in the lot near the tunnel to watch them go in. Downside is that you won't be in your seat for the pregame entrance so it's a toss-up.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:34 PM ^
1. thanks for your service!
2. I just did a mini write-up for a friend going to his first game this weekend against WMU. Happy to send if you have an email/phone # you feel comfortable sharing.
September 5th, 2018 at 2:03 PM ^
It is my pleasure to serve. I would greatly appreciate an email! [email protected]
September 5th, 2018 at 1:36 PM ^
You'll likely be on the field playing LT or RT.
September 5th, 2018 at 2:05 PM ^
Ha! I played ONE game for my last squadron's football team. No joke they put me at LT. I'm 5'10"/180 lbs. I'd probably look like Wilton Speight against Purdue if I were on the field for Michigan.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:47 PM ^
The vet tix tickets can be very random. I don't know if they have access to a block, but I have donated my 2 seats to Vet Tix in the past. I would expect they are scattered around depending on who and how many have been donated. getting 2 to pair with the 4 will be impossible. That being said, if you're willing to move, I would guess in the upper rows you'd be able to all sit together, the stadium won't be full.
I usually park in the Post Office parking garage for $5. There are a lot of food/drink options around there and its an easy 1 mile walk to the stadium. Catching the drum line performance in front of Revelli Hall about 90 minutes before the game is a favorite of ours as well.
ENJOY!
And thanks for your service.
September 5th, 2018 at 1:52 PM ^
I have mainly attended games as student '05-'09 and haven't been to a home game since the Air Force game in '12 so I don't know if things have changed but I will offer my suggestions:
If you want to see more of the campus before the game, I highly recommend you park in one of the parking garages in downtown AA, I used the one by Scorekeepers or around that area (you might need to come from the Plymouth Hwy 23 side of town for this as I think coming from 94 just funnels you toward the stadium) this will allow you to walk through most of central campus like the Diag, the libraries, student Union and then the Law Quad (an absolute must, definitely go inside the reading room) and you can follow the student crowd down State Street. A cavaet though if you're bringing children, this will take you past some of the frats/student houses so there will be plenty of debauchery going down, but nothing past loud uncensored music and lots of drinking and will give you the full "college experience". But you can always go down S Division to bypass most of that.
I then highly recommend you take a right onto E Hoover Street, walk past the IM building (is Bongo man still there?) and wait outside Revelli hall which is where the band departs from. If you get there early enough the drumline put on a show before the whole band forms up, and marches to the Big House. This will put you on the opposite end of the stadium from where your seats are, but I would argue it's not that much of an inconvenience. If you park near the stadium, it will be too much of a walk to and from campus to make it worth it.
For food I recommend the Northside Grill for breakfast (near the hospital), and Zingermann's Roadhouse for dinner (but it will be super packed so try to make a reservation if you can), or the Red Hawk Grill which is right on state street. Either way, walking through AA will present plenty of options for you.
Hope this helps, thanks for your service, and have a great/safe trip!
September 5th, 2018 at 2:12 PM ^
I wager you'll be row 70+ in section 39 or 18. Do I get anything if I win?
The big house is a magical place and you'll enjoy no matter where you sit. Just yell loud
September 5th, 2018 at 3:11 PM ^
The golf course is ok (I'll be there with friends) but you absolutely should be outside Revelli Hall for the drumline show an hour before the game. Most kids love it!
September 5th, 2018 at 4:00 PM ^
I haven't been back in a couple years but if they still open the golf course next to the stadium for tailgating you should at least walk through there. It was a pretty cool tailgate area
September 5th, 2018 at 5:25 PM ^
Have a great time! I'll never forget my first time at the Big House as a little kid in 1983....what great memories.
Go Blue!!
September 5th, 2018 at 10:23 PM ^
I would use stubhub and get tickets in the same general area instead of screwing around day of and possibly being spread out. Sections 13 and 15 might well butt up to your seats depending on the seat numbers. There are two seats available in Section 13 row 26 for $40 a piece. Stubhub prices get low on game day but there's less selection. If you plan on walking through the golf course let me know. I'll have plenty of beer and food on hand.
September 6th, 2018 at 12:22 PM ^
(Sarcastic) Advice for all Big House first timers: stay in your seat and make sure that you yell at any and all people in front of you who dare to stand and try to cheer and / or raise the general energy level of the stadium at any point in the game.