How Do University of Michigan Student Football Tickets Work? - Rambler Ann Arbor

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University of Michigan student football tickets go on sale in June, cost $29 a game or $232 for the 2026 season of eight home games, and sell out. In 2026, both the returning-student and incoming-student allotments sold out, and the only option left was a waitlist, according to Michigan Athletics. If you qualify for need-based pricing, the full season costs $120.

If you live at Rambler Ann Arbor, the Big House is 1.2 miles away, about an 8-minute drive or a 26-minute walk. Getting there is the easy part. Getting a ticket takes planning. This guide covers when to buy, what it costs, how seats are assigned and what to do if you miss the sale. 

University of Michigan students tailgating before a football game in Ann Arbor near Rambler.

When do Michigan student football tickets go on sale?

Returning students buy in early June and incoming students in late June. If you want need-based pricing as a returning student, your window opens in April, two months before the sale.

WhenWhat happens
April 21 to May 1Returning students request need-based eligibility
Early JuneReturning-student sale
Late JuneIncoming-student sale
Aug. 10Need-based application deadline
Aug. 14Last day to request a refund (by email)
Before the first home gameYour season pass arrives as a digital ALL-IN-1 pass

Dates are from Michigan Athletics’ 2026 student football ticket policies. Exact sale dates change every year; watch your U-M email in spring.

To be eligible, you have to be enrolled at least half time for the full fall term: 6 credit hours for undergraduates or 4 for graduate students. If you drop below that, Michigan deactivates your ticket for the rest of the season with no refund.

How much do Michigan student football tickets cost?

It depends on the season. A 2026 student season ticket cost $232 for eight home games, plus a $15 processing fee per order. With need-based pricing, the season drops to $120, or $15 a game.

TicketPer gameFull season (8 games)
Standard student ticket$29$232
Need-based student ticket$15$120

A $15 processing fee applies to each order. Prices from Michigan Athletics, as of Oct. 9, 2026.

Who qualifies for need-based pricing?

Undergraduates who completed the CSS Profile with a calculated family contribution of $8,000 or less may qualify, according to Michigan Athletics. How you apply depends on your year:

  • Returning students request eligibility from April 21 to May 1, then buy the reduced-rate ticket in June.
  • Incoming students buy at full price and apply for the discount at checkout. If you’re approved, Michigan refunds the difference.

Why the price can change

The season price depends on how many home games are on the schedule. In 2025, with six home games, the season cost $174, Michigan Athletics announced. In 2026, with eight, it’s $232.

How do you buy Michigan student football tickets?

You buy them online through your Michigan Athletics account during your sale window, and the season pass lands on your phone before the first game.

  1. Check that you’re eligible. You need to be enrolled at least half time for the whole fall term.
  2. Watch your U-M email in spring. Michigan Athletics sends sale dates and instructions there.
  3. Buy during your window at mgoblue.com/tickets. Have your payment ready; in 2026, both the returning and incoming allotments sold out.
  4. Join the waitlist if it sells out. You can only join from a desktop or laptop, not a phone. Waitlisted students get priority for the next season.
  5. Add your pass to your phone’s wallet before game day. Cell service near the stadium is limited, so don’t count on loading it at the gate.

For the details, bookmark Michigan Athletics’ student football ticket policies and student ticket FAQ.

How are student seats assigned?

Student seats aren’t first come, first served. Michigan assigns them by priority points from the previous season, and points reset to zero every year.

  • 3 points for arriving at least 30 minutes before kickoff
  • 3 points for attending
  • Up to 6 points a game and 42 a season

The students with the most points get the lowest rows. Incoming students start in the upper rows and can’t sit with returning students. If you want to sit with friends, you can form a group of 2 to 100, and the group is seated by its average points. The student section starts at Section 25 and runs through Section 34 if needed.

What if you don’t get a student ticket?

Join the waitlist first, then look for a student who can transfer you a ticket for a game they’ll miss. Michigan lets students transfer individual tickets through its official ticket transfer.

A few rules to know before you take a transferred ticket:

  • Bring your Mcard. If you receive a transferred student ticket, you’ll show your Mcard or a validation voucher at Gate 10.
  • Non-students need a validation voucher. A student ticket can be used by a non-student only if it’s validated, and the voucher price varies by game. You can validate at the Ticket Office (1000 S. State St.), the Michigan Union (530 S. State St.) or Student Will Call at Gate 9 on game day.
  • Never use someone else’s student ID.
  • Know the resale rule. Michigan’s policy says “Student tickets cannot be sold on the secondary market,” and misuse can affect your future eligibility.

How to avoid ticket scams

If someone offers you a ticket, only accept it through Michigan’s official transfer, so it lands in your own account. Don’t pay for a screenshot or a forwarded barcode, and never share your U-M login or Mcard with anyone.

How do you get from Rambler Ann Arbor to Michigan Stadium?

Walk. Rambler Ann Arbor, at 701 Church St., is 1.2 miles from Michigan Stadium, about 26 minutes on foot via Hill Street, according to Google Maps. The route is mostly flat.

Time your walk around priority points. Arriving at least 30 minutes before kickoff earns 3 of your 6 points for the game, so with a 26-minute walk, head out at least an hour before kickoff to allow for gate lines.

If you can’t snag a ticket, don’t worry. We have plenty of spaces for you to cheer on the Wolverines at Rambler Ann Arbor, from our club room with views of the Big House to the rooftop pool with a Jumbotron. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Student Football Tickets

Is student seating general admission at Michigan Stadium?

No. Michigan assigns student seats by priority points from the previous season. Students with the most points get the lowest rows, and incoming students start in the upper rows.

Can parents or friends use a student ticket?

Only if it’s validated. A non-student can use a student ticket with a validation voucher, and the price varies by game.

Can I sell my student ticket?

Michigan’s policy says student tickets can’t be sold on the secondary market. If you can’t make a game, transfer your ticket to another student through Michigan’s official transfer.

Where to Go From Here

You came here to figure out how Michigan student football tickets work. The short version: buy in June, budget $232 for the season (or $120 with need-based pricing), and expect them to sell out. Then show up early to every game, because your priority points decide next year’s seat.

Your next step is to mark April and June on your calendar and confirm your sale window in your U-M email. If you’re still choosing where to live next year, read Where to Live Near Michigan: The Most Popular Neighborhoods in Ann Arbor for Student Living to compare your options.

Want a home base 1.2 miles from the Big House? Schedule a tour of Rambler Ann Arbor. 

author avatar

Riley Schultz

Riley is the Leasing and Marketing Manager for Rambler Ann Arbor. He got his start at LV Collective as a Sales and Leasing Intern before moving into his current role. Outside of work, you'll find him hunting down new local spots, playing marimba, or shooting and developing his own film. He's even been featured in the New York Times!

Published On: October 9, 2026

Last Updated On: October 15, 2026

Ann Arbor Lifestyle

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