Early 2022 Football Tickets
Feel free to neg me into oblivion since this is more of a personal question, but I thought the answers might help some other people too. I'm looking to buy some football tickets this fall for my dad on his birthday. He's only been to the Big House for a spring game years ago.
My question is what game (probably out of the first 3) do you think would be the best experience for someone's first game? I was at the Middle Tennessee opener in '19, which was a night game with an amazing flyover of two F-16s (I'm weirdly partial to flyovers, I think they're incredibly cool). Washington was a night game with an F-18 flyover. I'm thinking the opener against Colorado State might be the most likely night game and therefore a good experience, what do you think?
March 30th, 2022 at 10:31 AM ^
When I got engaged I was super excited to bring my fiance (now wife) to her first game. It was Appalachian State....
March 30th, 2022 at 10:32 AM ^
Glad your marriage has been better than that game...
March 30th, 2022 at 10:33 AM ^
so it's HER fault .... gotcha
/s
March 30th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
That might make you two the only happy Michigan fans that day. What is a word for a humble anti-brag: Humble-guilt?
I brought my wife to her first Michigan game against Toledo in 2008. We have been married for 11 years but she never came with me on my trips to see a Michigan game. I picked this game because I thought Michigan would win and she would experience a Michigan victory but it was shockingly a loss.
Also too soon.
Too soon.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:38 AM ^
Non-conference games are cool but usually over by half time. If you really want to do something cool for your dad, make sure it's a B1G game so Maryland (Sept 24th?) would be a good one to take him to. Or PSU/MSU in October.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
If Maryland isn't over by halftime it's going to be a long season
March 30th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
I can't swing PSU/MSU, but I might be able to swing Maryland. Are tickets generally cheaper now, before game times and special events are announced? His birthday is coming up soon but I could just say we're going to get tickets later.
Depends. I don't imagine they'll be that expensive for Marlyand. PSU and MSU will be higher priced.
Also, if you want to risk it you can often get tickets right outside the game from a scalper at face value (sometimes much less right before the game is to start) but that's always a gamble. Prices (in my experience) usually go up a bit the closer to game time. Then start to drop as people try to get money back when they realize they cant make it the week of the game.
This also goes in reverse though. Let's say Maryland comes out this year blowing everyone's doors off (lol ya right) and suddenly it's #8 Michigan v #11 Maryland. Prices are going to increase as that game draws near.
I expect to pay $70 - $100 (with fees included) for each seat regardless and it's nice to get something cheaper. I buy early and don't really care if i ended up paying $30 a seat more than the folks next to me. I look at it as "that's how much I'm happily willing to pay to see the game" and just have the comfort of knowing the tix are in my inbox for the next month. I also don't really care where I sit as there really isn't a bad seat in the house unless you're next to a buckeye or a sparty
#11 Maryland. -LOL
For Maryland? I would wait until the week or two before game time. I have done this for Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois, etc many times.
The only way that would bite you in the butt is if a) Michigan is really good / great (likely!) AND b) Maryland is really good / great (very unlikely!) and it's a Top 20 battle.
But even then, Maryland does not have a lot of alums in the area, so it's not like many B1G game where you have a lot of local opposing fans who are competing for tickets.
Have fun!
Not sure this year how many night games we can be on the hook for with the networks but if more than one, then Hawaii is my guess. Networks would love to get a west coast and Hawaii audience if we played at night here. Just a thought!!
I got to take my dad to one game before he passed. It was an amazing day!! Enjoy every minute!!
Go Blue!!!!
March 30th, 2022 at 10:48 AM ^
Not a neg-worthy post at all, especially in the off-season.
It depends what kind of experience do you want. Are you looking for a leisurely guaranteed (almost) win? Are you looking for a more competitive game that risks losing? The Big House in general is almost always a positive experience for me. My only complaints are drunk morons yelling obscenities with young kids in earshot. You're less likely to encounter angry fools during a blowout, in my experience.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
My only complaints are drunk morons yelling obscenities with young kids in earshot.
So like ... your complaints are that you have to be in public then?
March 30th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
I realize this could apply to any live sporting event. It just grinds my gears more when the targets of these fat, middle-aged tools are college kids.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:20 AM ^
especially when its about 99% certain that those who are yelling/cussing the most are the ones who were the worst/farthest from the field or any athletic endeavor their whole lives.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
1,000% true
March 30th, 2022 at 11:52 AM ^
Oh yea I totally get that. I thought you were talking about the drunk college kids just walking around cursing in general.
Cursing AT people over a sporting event is ridiculous
March 30th, 2022 at 12:00 PM ^
Personally, it's the elderly couple that sits in front of me in my section. They don't swear but just kill me with their ongoing in-game analysis. Everything is wrong. The husband rarely speaks but his spouse gifts the section with the following each game:
a) "Why do they always run up this middle" - This always follows a gain of about 4 yards up the middle. It is applicable even if running up the middle repeatedly is very effective.
b) "Why are they running outside?" - This comes up whenever Michigan runs outside for, really, any reason. If it's a first down achieved there may not be a comment or some grumbling about how they should have made the defensive player miss.
c) Every passing play: "throw the ball". I always think is she reading the progression from crosser at 2 seconds to outs to deep? Goes like this: "throw the ball, throw the ball, throw the ball".
d) Every defensive play: "get him" to whoever him is that might be holding the ball.
e) Once in while throw in: "Come on Harbaugh".
At my home I can't watch any football game with the kids without one of them saying "why are they running up the middle" every time the team runs up the middle.
So...just why are they running up the middle and why aren't you giving them the answer so they'll stop asking?
┐( ∵ )┌
The game threads are only slightly more sophisticated. Usually a version of "there we go..running into a stacked box! AGAIN!!1!"
My daughter would ask this as, “Why are they running the pile play again?”
Af least she was very descriptive….
March 30th, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
I’ve almost never heard that in the Big House.
Every row in the stadium has the drunk, negative, self-hating, anti-fan. But most of them aren’t cursing.
sad to hear that’s been your experience.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
If you can stand the usual scorching Labor Day sun, the opener will probably have the best fan atmosphere/experience out of the 3 non-conference games since it's the first game.
If your availability is wide open, Maryland or Penn State are great options and you shouldn't be too priced out. The weather will be a lot more comfortable for tailgating and sitting in the stadium for 4 hours.
The opener will probably be the best attended of the first three games too. If M wins a blowout, fewer people will be interested in the next couple of non-con games. If it's a close game or M loses, it will also cause fewer fans to attend. The more fans, usually the more fun. There also might be a give-away at the opener for pom-poms or whatever. Of course, if you have the option of monitoring the weather forecast, you should take the first good-weather game you can attend (super heat, rain, etc. not good, especially on the eastern side)!
March 30th, 2022 at 11:15 AM ^
The first game will definitely have a lot of energy...regardless of the game time. Students are always pumped up for the first game...and you have freshman (including my daughter, who found out she was admitted last Friday!) attending their first-ever game in Michigan Stadium.
Downside to the first game is that it can be quite hot.
Depends on what type of experience you want to create. The non-conference games are fun, low stress, usually have nice weather...but the games aren't usually competitive or interesting.
If it's more about the football rather than everything around the game, I'd suggest an early-season Big Ten matchup.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:21 AM ^
congrats on daughter admit, 1989! go blue!
Thanks, XM! Are any of your kids in the college application process this year?
The process was much more stressful than when we went through it with our son (2023 UM GRAD) just three years ago.
The "test optional" approach has further increased the number of applications to high-demand schools like Michigan...thus making the admissions process more chaotic and more random. We know quite a few kids who got in to Michigan who would not have been admitted had they been required to submit ACT/SAT test scores.
Our daughter was denied admission by Wisconsin and Northeastern...but was admitted to Michigan and Boston Univ. Northeastern and BU both got 80K+ applications this year!
This past Friday was the third wave of admissions for Michigan. She was "postponed" in both the late-January and late-February admissions notifications.
Nice to be able to "unclench" and relax now in regards to the next step in her education.
interesting, and thank you for sharing. things have changed, haven't they.
none of ours are in the app stage: 3 down, 4 to go, but college sports are a huge determinant in the kids' college choices and i doubt any of the youngest 4 are D-1 athletes. of course we won't do anything to discourage them if they want to aim that high. they do have grades and other factors that would likely make them pretty likely to get in, but i have a feeling that is one legacy that won't be passed on in terms of actual attendance. that said, they are all hard-core michigan fans.
now, while your admissions worry has 'unclenched', your bank account just did the old fred sanford and grabbed its figurative heart....
I will gladly pay up for in-state Michigan tuition...when we were possibly looking at Boston University as choice #2. Average annual costs of BU are just shy of $80K!!!!!
Plus, I only have two kids...so that helps.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:24 AM ^
I would say your best bets are the first game or Maryland on 9/24 or PSU on 10/15. Home opener will have more energy than Hawaii or Uconn. But a conference game tends to be better.
Personally, I would try to swing the PSU game if you want a good mix of competitive football, decent price and hopefully weather.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Guess it depends on what type of experience you're looking for. Do you want a snoozer of a game where Michigan is almost certain to win, or do you prefer a possibly more competitive game? Also, would you rather go to a game when its cooler out?
Usually the first home game or two of the season, especially if they're during the day, are pretty darn hot out, but once you roll into late September / early October it becomes perfect football weather. Not sure how well you or your Dad tolerate heat, but if you'd rather be more comfortable at a cooler game, I'd tell you to look at the Maryland game. That game will probably be Homecoming so it may be a smidge more expensive, but shouldn't be by a lot (I don't think?) and you can go to the game reasonably expecting Michigan to win comfortably.
If you go to any later games in the season, you're either going to high profile games like PSU or MSU which will certainly cost a lot more, or you'll be going to games late in November so the cold factor will certainly be in play.
March 30th, 2022 at 11:52 AM ^
Given that he's never been to an actual game I would recommend one of the three early non-conference games because:
1. Weather is most likely going to be good. Might be hot but definitely no icy rain in the forecast.
2. We will win.
3. There wont be a ton of extra people smashed into the stadium so your chances of having two butt cheeks on one seat number is pretty good.
4. Crowd will be most likely in a good mood. As others have said above - B1G games are much more exciting but that excitement doesnt always bring out the best in others.
5. Pre and post game is more fun. Walking around the tailgates (if you arent hosting one), the band, everything is just a bit more enjoyable in nice weather.
6. Tickets will be WAY cheaper and the chances of getting good seats - say something between the 20's - at a reasonable price is also pretty good.
Have a great time. If he likes it, and not everyone does - my father for example went to U of M as an undergrad and then dental school and he HATED going to football games - anyways if he likes it you can take him back again to one of the bigger games on the schedule.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^
Could also wait and see what Seth/MGoBlog is putting together - there was that survey that went out a few weeks ago re a full-weekend experience hosted by MGoBlog.
@Seth/mods - any ETA on that?
Over 10 years ago, Brian use to show up at the mgoblog tailgates.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
To add on, are tickets out yet? If I wanted to buy PSU tickets, is that available? I thought they don't ship until much later.
They're only on third-party sites right now, not through U-M or Ticketmaster. I'm not sure if prices will drop when official tickets go on sale, or if it's better to get in now before the school's tickets are released.
Private message me on Facebook. My name is Matt Kosinski. My profile pic is Matty Beniers. I have an offer for you regarding the tickets.
Prices should drop or stay relatively stable on about half of those games when official tickets are sent out but there's three games in particular for which I wouldn't expect to see prices go down at all: Penn St, staee, and Nebraska.
In particular, that Nov 12 Cornhuskers game has the potential to go much higher---UNL fans always travel well, and if they have a decent season going, demand could spike from the current StubHub price of $75.
I'd highly recommend reaching out to 'Toledo_M_Fan' and seeing what he has to offer you, thus avoiding those steep StubHub fees.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:53 PM ^
I say the opener is the best bang for your buck.
The tickets aren't as outrageous as they would be for our main rivals Illinois and Rutgers and the environment is rocking and energetic due to it being the first of the season.
If cost is your bigger motivator I would say any of the other tomato can non-conference games but the experience might not be as electric.
Just want to say good luck with the weather. The last two times I went to game in September it was brutally hot and really uncomfortable to sit in a stadium with 100k. Like others have said I would aim for the Maryland game if possible.
I'm planning to take my wife and 3 daughters to the Penn State gave in mid-October. I've taken my sons many times and the girls insist on their turn! I chose this date because: 1) the weather is likely not going to be too cold; 2) Ann Arbor is incredibly beautiful in October; and 3) because the true Big House experience requires an important game. Of course, I will pay through the nose for these tickets -- but that's why I work so hard!