Official vs. Actual capacity at the Big House
Can somebody explain to me why there is such a large discrepancy between the official capacity at the big house (106,201) and yesterday's attendance (109,019)? My guess is that 106,201 tickets are sold to the public, and the excess number of visitors comprise recruits, cameramen, reporters, and other special guests who aren't sitting in the stands?
Also, when stadium construction is complete the big house will have an official capacity of 108,000. Does this mean we may see games with up to 111,000 attendees? That would be insane.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:15 PM ^
They have already had that many. (see bottom of page)
http://www.umich.edu/stadium/history/
I think that we would actually hit 113,000 then. That would be insane.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:00 PM ^
Maybe I didn't read thoroughly enough, but I don't see the current attendance record on that page: there were 112,118 at the 2003 OSU game. It was CRAZY. So yeah, I wouldn't be surprised to see us pass 113,000 at some point.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^
Going back to the days of Yost and Crisler, Michigan has always counted everyone in the stadium on game day. That includes, but is not limited to players, coaching staffs, band members, game management staff, reporters, and anyone else physically present in the stadium during the game. So yes, you're correct on both counts. Also, in case anyone else was wondering as I was:
Announced attendance at games: September 5, 2009:
Michigan: 109,019
Ohio State: 105,092
Penn State: 104,968
Texas: 101,096
Tennessee: 98,761
September 6th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
Ouch, Tennessee, can't even get to 100% capacity?
Unless, of course, they are remodeling or something.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:51 PM ^
"According to the University of Tennessee Ticket Office, due to the addition of the new West Club seats, the 2009 capacity will be 100,011."
So yes, the did not even make capacity.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:16 PM ^
sweet, thanks.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:19 PM ^
Last year thay had to change the posted capacity b/c of the handicapped lawsuit. Did anyone who went to the game see that changed?
September 6th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
My guess is that 106,201 tickets are sold to the public, and the excess number of visitors comprise recruits, cameramen, reporters, and other special guests who aren't sitting in the stands?This is correct. They also count the team, trainers, and everything else. All encompassing.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
The listed capacity would shoot up next year with the completion of the boxes to around 110,000 or 111,000, except they are planning to widen the aisles and seats to some extent. They won't be doing as much widening because of the lawsuit, which already took up a lot of space, but they're going to figure out how much they can do to keep the stadium's listed capacity at about 108,000.
That's only an increase of about 500, but the existing seats will be roomier. So they say.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:22 PM ^
when the skyboxes open next year capacity will actually be around 110,000. The seat and aisle widening will take place over the next few years after that, bringing official capacity down to around 108,000 by about 2012 or 2013.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:36 PM ^
I was recently told that the "count" happens in two parts: First they count up all the things Yostal mentioned, and then get several people to scan the stadium and estimate the number of empty seats. They then subtract the average empty seat count and there's your attendance number. So it's largely a guess.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:40 PM ^
There must be over a thousand stadium staff for the games, especially once the boxes are being serviced.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:26 PM ^
Ever since I can remember (at least 35 years of M football), Michigan Stadium's capacity has ended in a "1." It is my understanding that the "1" is for Fritz Crisler.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:27 PM ^
Here is the reference on "1"
http://www.mgoblue.com/common/article.aspx?id=40506
September 6th, 2009 at 1:42 PM ^
that walks in the door, the tochdown bunny was prolly included in the total when he made an appearence
September 6th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
They count athletic dept personnel from both teams, all media members, the band (when the opposing band comes, attendance goes up a bit), etc. I am not sure about ushers and concession employees. This would be a great question for the SID.
A bigger press box will potentially have a pretty big effect on single-game attendance for the biggest games, when many more media members can be accommodated.
September 6th, 2009 at 3:49 PM ^
We had more than Penn State? I thought their stadium was bigger than ours right now.
September 6th, 2009 at 6:05 PM ^
We still draw more. That or we fudge our count better.