Michigan Stadium
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Přehled
O stadionu
Michigan Stadium (popularly nicknamed „The Big House") is an American football stadium owned by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With a capacity of 107,601 spectators, it is the largest stadium in the United States and the entire western hemisphere and the third largest sports venue in the world.
A Symbol of College Sports
Since its opening in 1927, the stadium has served as the home field for the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA Division I FBS, Big Ten Conference. The Wolverines are among the most successful programs in American college football — they hold a record 12 national titles (most recently in 2024) and 44 Big Ten titles.
Distinctive Design
The arena was constructed as a „sunken bowl" — a significant portion of the stands lies below the level of the surrounding terrain, creating the illusion of a smaller structure than it actually is. This design by Osborn Engineering of Cleveland (the firm responsible for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park) allowed for an enormous capacity without visually dominating the campus.
Global Significance
Beyond American football, the stadium occasionally hosts other major events: the NHL Winter Classic 2014 with a record attendance of 105,491 fans, the soccer match between Manchester United and Real Madrid 2014 with 109,318 spectators (the U.S. record for a soccer match), and ICC cricket as part of the Cricket All-Stars festival.
Historie
Cesta časem
Early Michigan Field (1893–1926)
The Michigan football team played at Regents Field (later Ferry Field) within the Ann Arbor campus since the late 19th century. However, over time, the stadium became insufficient for the popularity of the team, which under coach Fielding Yost won 6 national titles and created the successful legend of „Point-a-Minute" (1901–1905).
Fielding Yost's Vision and Construction (1926–1927)
In 1926, the university board approved a plan to build a new stadium with a capacity of 72,000 seats on land southeast of the campus. Coach and athletic director Fielding H. Yost advocated a unique design: a sunken oval amphitheater with steel folding benches, where half the seating is below ground level. Yost insisted on structural foundations capable of supporting another 100,000 seats in the future — a vision that was realized several times throughout the 20th century.
The construction was handled by James Leck Construction, with a total budget of $950,000 (at the time's prices). The stadium opened on October 1, 1927, with a game against Ohio Wesleyan University (Michigan won 33-0). An exhibition game against Ohio State three weeks later filled the stadium to a capacity of 84,401 spectators — a groundbreaking attendance for college football.
Gradual Expansions
- 1928 — addition of permanent wooden seats, capacity 85,752.
- 1949 — installation of a new scoreboard and lighting (prior to this, games were played only during the day).
- 1956 — addition of a press box and first steel lower tiers, capacity 101,001 — the highest in the U.S. at that time.
- 1973 — capacity increased to 101,701, surpassing the „Six Figure Crowds" milestone.
- 1998 — installation of a video board and modern sound system.
- 2007–2010 — extensive renovations for $226 million: construction of luxury suites and premium club sections, installation of two video walls, modernization of tunnels and locker rooms. Current capacity: 107,601 spectators.
„The Streak" — 251 Games Over 100,000
From November 8, 1975, to present, Michigan Stadium holds the record streak of games with attendance over 100,000 — as of 2026, there have been over 271 consecutive games, an unbroken record in sports.
Atmosféra
Den zápasu
Maize and Blue — Wolverines' Colors
Fans of the Michigan Wolverines in yellow and blue (nicknamed „Maize and Blue") create one of the loudest and largest atmospheres in American college sports. Before each game, the anthem „The Victors", written by composer Louis Elbel in 1898 after a victory against Chicago, is played; legendary American composer John Philip Sousa called it „the best fight song" in the world.
The „Go Blue!" Tradition
- „Touch the Banner" — before running onto the field, players touch a blue and white banner that reads „Go Blue, M Club Supports You" hanging above the tunnel.
- „The Victors" plays after every touchdown, performed by the Michigan Marching Band.
- „Hail to the Victors" — a refrain sung by fans.
- „Block M" — a yellow and blue card choreography across the student section.
Major Rivalries
- „The Game" — rivalry with the Ohio State Buckeyes, played every last Saturday of the NCAA Division I FBS season, 101 times in history, one of the most significant rivalries in American sports.
- Michigan vs. Michigan State — in-state rivalry, contested for the Paul Bunyan Trophy.
- Michigan vs. Notre Dame — historical rivalry, although played intermittently.
Famous Moments
- November 8, 1975 — the start of the unparalleled streak of games with attendance over 100,000.
- November 22, 1997 — victory over Wisconsin 26-16 secured Michigan's path to the 1997 national title.
- January 1, 2014 — NHL Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, attendance of 105,491 fans — a world record for the NHL.
- August 2, 2014 — soccer match Manchester United vs. Real Madrid 3-1 with attendance of 109,318 — U.S. record for a soccer match.
- January 8, 2024 — Michigan's victory over Washington University in the College Football Playoff final 34-13, marking the program's 12th national title.
Beyond American Football
The stadium has also served as a venue for speeches (where John F. Kennedy spoke in 1960 about the future Peace Corps) and concerts. Beyoncé performed in 2016 for her Formation World Tour, and Eminem held a solo concert as part of the Detroit Hometown series in 2018.
Praktické info
Návštěva stadionu
Getting to the Stadium
The stadium is located at 1201 South Main Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, approximately 1.5 km south of the central campus of the University of Michigan. It's about a 45-minute drive from Detroit.
- By Car: Interstate I-94 from Detroit, exit at State Street; paid parking at Pioneer High School Lot and Crisler Center Lot totals about 14,000 spaces.
- University Bus: The U-M Football Game Day Shuttle departs from downtown Ann Arbor every 15 minutes on game day.
- Airport: Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is 35 km away, roughly a 30-minute drive.
- Train: The Amtrak Wolverine connects Chicago with Ann Arbor three times a day (around 5 hours from Chicago), and the Ann Arbor station is 3 km from the stadium.
Tickets and Tours
- Tickets are sold through the official platform MGoBlue.com, secondary market StubHub, or SeatGeek. Season subscriptions (season tickets) are tied to contributions to Michigan Athletics.
- „The Game" against Ohio State — tickets sell out months in advance, and the cheapest tickets on the secondary market go for around $300.
- Stadium tours called „Big House Tour" occur on non-game days, lasting 75 minutes; reservations can be made through mgoblue.com/tours.
- Stephen M. Ross Athletic Campus Tour — a tour of the campus including Crisler Center, Yost Ice Arena, and Schembechler Hall.
Visitor Tips
- Tailgate Culture: Parking lots transform 5-6 hours before the game into a massive tailgate — fans grill, play games, and drink; legal zones marked by the university.
- „The Big House" is generally an alcohol-free zone for regular fans (alcohol is allowed only in premium suites), safety scanners are mandatory.
- Climate: Season runs from September to December, November games can have temperatures below freezing — layered clothing and blankets are recommended.
- Nearby: the University of Michigan campus, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, and the Ann Arbor Art Fair in July.
Video
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