Club Seating - I have made the choice to purchase premium seating this year

Submitted by IUandUofM on
So, as most are aware, there are club seats available as a result of the stadium redesign project (in addition the the suites). I do not have season tickets, and think it to be a very interesting opportunity to get renewable season tickets in the new club area. It is not cheap to donate the minimum amount to have the right to buy tickets (a single seat right costs $1,500+), but the donation tax deductible and the tickets themselves are normal price. So I have done some basic research and have spoken to Victors Club staff. Here is some info I can pass on: Site Link to locate available seats and costs: http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/east_first_club_level.php If you put your mouse over the colored sections you can see the donation amount and the number of seats still available. When you click you can see the actual available seats. There are also links when you click on a seat section for viewing angles: http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/stand_view_section.php?id=206 http://www.michiganstadiumproject.com/stand_view_section.php?id=206# The outside seats are cushioned and will have drink holders. Rows 3-8 will have protection from the roof above from rain, sun, etc. The donation requirement is PER YEAR to retain the rights to the seats. What was most exciting to me was the club itself ... the inside area behind the seats ... with dozens of flat panel tvs, "gourmet" food, bar stools up against the windows, and dining tables. I have young kids, that now I can consider taking with me assuming I would stay in the club space with them if they cant sit still outside, or the weather isn't great. There are still a lot of seats still available for those that can make the larger donations, that want "season" tickets w/o the wait. Also, parking passes will be available for club members for about $30 per game. Happy to answer questions if I can.
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aaamichfan

February 5th, 2010 at 4:42 PM ^

Haha...if having $1500 disposable income each year to devote to your biggest hobby/enjoyment makes a person rich, there are a lot of rich people in the US.

Joined: 10/23/2009

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pz

February 5th, 2010 at 4:52 PM ^

With a group of friends, if you split it up and have people buy "shares" of the box for a certain amount of tickets throughout the year, it can actually be made feasible for the non-gratuitously-wealthy.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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mvp

February 6th, 2010 at 12:47 AM ^

I thought about this, too. You obviously need to have about 7 friends interested in pairs of tickets, or a bunch of friends that are interested in a split ticket. The big problem is the liability. To get the box, I think it can be split only between two donors. And it is a multi-year commitment. That means somebody could be left holding the bag if somebody bails, or loses their job, or has to move away, or whatever. It is a scary amount of money... Even so, having a box would be very, very cool.

Joined: 06/30/2008

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IUandUofM

February 5th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^

1. kinda once in a lifetime chance to pick your seats ... after they are filled and you want club seats, you have to wait in line based on priority points and can only get what is made available. 2. Because economy crappy AND Mich has not done so well their are still seat available. 3. Just think, no lines to wait to get to your seats, no lines for concessions, better food, private bathrooms, and place to go if weather is cruddy (not to mention parking pass). 4. Also, the donation cost necessary to get good stadium seats isn't cheap either (but some of you might be better to answer that than I am, since I am not a season ticket holder). 5. Can be in a way part of Mich history ... to get in 1st year and hopefully it is a great experience you can repeat for years to come. 6. Nice to give a big fat donation to UofM for scholarship, etc. those kids need the help. 7. Others?

Joined: 09/26/2009

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blueblueblue

February 5th, 2010 at 5:28 PM ^

I just hope you are springing for the $3k seats. I watched many a game from the corners and the one time I sat in the 50-yd line area made for an exponentially better experience (than the awesome experience of the student section). The big house just seems so much more intimate from the middle areas - like i can just wave to the folks across the field (or flip them the bird depending on what color they are wearing).

Joined: 12/28/2008

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IUandUofM

February 5th, 2010 at 5:40 PM ^

I think I will let people know if I have available tickets here on this board so that others can see what the club experience is like. I went with the $2,250 seats, but the section that is closest to the $3,000 per seat ... so "mid-tier" ... the views still look good, but you are right being at the 50 sure would be nice! I really debated what section to be in, where in the section (under the ceiling for weather protection, or front row so nobody would sit in front of you, etc.). I am getting more and more exited to see what it is like.

Joined: 09/26/2009

MGoPoints: 830

mvp

February 6th, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^

...for posting this one. I made a similar decision this year (got 2 of the West Side Chairbacks). I didn't know how people would respond so kept it to myself. I agree with the 6 points you make in the "rational" follow up. I think the West Side experience will be different than the club experience, but as I tried to figure out everything, it ended up being exactly what I wanted. As I wrestled with the decision, the things I came back to were this: 1) I don't really have other expensive hobbies; M Football is what I do, and 2) You might not have the opportunity again, but you can quit any time you want to. I kept my old seats (next to one of my college roommates) and added the two new ones. My wife and I now have enough flexibility to bring all 3 kids to whatever games we want. If the experience ends up not being worthwhile, I'm out a chunk of cash, but it isn't the end of the world. And if they turn out to be as great as I hope...well, that would be great. Further to one of the points the OP alluded to, the Victors Club staff was great and extremely helpful in the process.

Joined: 06/30/2008

MGoPoints: 2417