Michigan Stadium Parking

Michigan Stadium, known to fans as the Big House, draws over 107,000 people to Ann Arbor on fall Saturdays. That makes Michigan football game day parking one of the largest single-event transit operations in college sports. Between street closures, sprawling tailgate crowds, and permit-only campus lots, you need a plan before pulling out of your driveway. Whether you prefer setting up on a grass fairway, catching a park-and-ride shuttle, or walking in from downtown, here is how parking works around Michigan Stadium, along with costs, open times, and exit routes.

What are the best Michigan Stadium tailgating lots on game day?

The right spot depends on the game day vibe you want. The three main traditional hubs for Michigan football game day parking are the Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club (AAGOC), the University of Michigan Golf Course, and Pioneer High School. Both golf courses give you classic lawn tailgating right across from the stadium gates, while Pioneer High offers the biggest paved lot with a festival-like crowd.

Ann Arbor Golf and Outing parking vs. U-M Golf Course parking Michigan football

Ann Arbor Golf and Outing sits right at the corner of Stadium Boulevard and South Main Street, placing you just steps from Gates 2 and 4. AAGOC opens its gates at 7:30 AM for early games. Rates run around $75 for standard non-conference games and $85 for big Big Ten matchups.

The U-M Golf Course is run by the university and covers the open grounds just south of Stadium Boulevard. It opens at 7:00 AM for noon games and costs $65 per passenger vehicle, payable by card only. Both courses give you a relaxed setting on the grass under mature trees, but heavy rain can lead to fairway closures to protect the turf. When bad weather hits, attendants will turn cars away or send them to paved lots nearby.

Pioneer High School parking Michigan Stadium

Pioneer High School sits directly across South Main Street from the stadium's west side. Managed on game days by LAZ Parking, the high school provides hundreds of paved spaces that stay open regardless of rain. It opens earlier than the golf courses (at 6:00 AM for noon kickoffs) and has a lively blacktop tailgating scene popular with students, alumni, and traveling fans.

How much do Michigan Stadium parking passes and drive-up lots cost?

U-M Golf Course parking costs a flat $65 per vehicle on game day. Pioneer High School parking passes and drive-up spots range from $60 to $90 or more, depending on whether you pay at the entrance or buy ahead of time online.

At Pioneer High School, advance online reservations can come with added service fees or surge pricing for high-profile games. University-run surface lots on South State Street, such as the Maize Lot and Brown Lot, offer public game day parking for $40. Private driveways and business lots along South Main Street, Pauline Boulevard, and Hoover Avenue usually run between $40 and $80 based on how close they are to the stadium.

How does Park N Party Michigan football parking work for advance reservations?

You can lock in Michigan Stadium parking passes ahead of time through Park N Party for Pioneer High School as well as several private commercial lots and neighborhood properties near the stadium.

Booking Michigan football parking through Park N Party is an easy way to avoid arriving to full lots on high-demand rivalry weekends. You can pick specific zones at Pioneer High School, reserve regular parking spaces, or add trailer passes. Homeowners and local businesses also list their private driveways, yards, and small parking areas on platforms like Park N Party and Prked (which holds the #1 ranking on Trustpilot in both the Parking Garage and Parking Lot categories). That lets you guarantee a parking spot within a 5- to 15-minute walk of the stadium before you hit the road.

What time do Michigan Stadium parking lots open on game day?

For noon kickoffs, general parking lots around Michigan Stadium open between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM. For night games kicking off around 7:30 PM, lots open between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM.

• Pioneer High School & Donor Lots (Blue, Champions, Grey): Open at 6:00 AM for noon and afternoon kickoffs, and at 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM for night games.
• U-M Golf Course, Maize Lot, and Brown Lot: Open at 7:00 AM for noon games and 12:00 PM for night games.
• Ann Arbor Golf & Outing Club: Opens at 7:30 AM for noon and 3:30 PM games, and at 12:00 PM for evening games.

If you plan to buy a drive-up spot at either golf course, get there within 60 to 90 minutes of the gates opening. First-come, first-served spaces fill up hours before kickoff.

Can you pay cash for Ann Arbor Golf and Outing parking or U-M Golf Course spots?

Ann Arbor Golf and Outing takes both cash and credit cards at its entrances on South Main Street and Stadium Boulevard. The U-M Golf Course and every official University of Michigan athletic lot are completely cashless.

University-managed locations (like the U-M Golf Course, Green Lot, Maize Lot, and campus decks) only take cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. If you plan to pull into a private yard or student driveway along Hoover or Pauline, keep $50 to $80 in cash in your car.

Michigan Stadium parking map: University donor lots vs. public campus structures

Looking at the layout around Michigan Stadium, the spaces closest to the gates belong almost entirely to pre-paid donor permit holders, while general public parking is spread across campus garages further out.

                [ Downtown Ann Arbor ]
              (Maynard & William Garages)
                         │
                         ▼ (15-20 min walk)
               [ Central Campus Area ]
           (Thompson, Hill & Thayer Structures)
                         │
                         ▼
        ┌───────────────────────────────────┐
        │        MICHIGAN STADIUM           │
        │   (Surrounded by Donor Lots:      │
        │    Blue, Champions, Buffalo)      │
        └───────────────────────────────────┘
               ▲                     ▲
               │                     │
    [ Pioneer High School ]    [ Golf Courses ]
     (Paved Tailgating)      (Grass Fairways)

Permit-only athletic donor lots

Every parking lot directly next to the stadium concourse and Crisler Center (including the Blue Lot, Champions North Lot, Champions East Lot, Buffalo Lot, and Grey Lot) is reserved for Michigan Athletic Department donors with season parking passes. General public drivers cannot access these lots on game day without an official physical or digital permit displayed in their vehicle.

Which parking structures near campus are open to the public on game days?

Drivers without athletic permits can use several university parking structures on Central Campus, about 10 to 20 minutes on foot north of the Big House:

• Hill Street Structure (1001 Hill St.): Roughly a 10- to 12-minute walk to the north gates; flat $40 event fee (cashless).
• Thompson Street Structure (508 Thompson St.): About 15 minutes from the stadium through campus; flat $40 event fee.
• Thayer Street Structure (216 S. Thayer St.) & Fletcher Street Structure: A 20-minute walk through Central Campus and the Law Quad; $40 event rate.
• South Fifth Avenue & Division Street Surface Lots: University-run surface lots with public game day parking when space is available.

How does TheRide FootballRide shuttle and Briarwood Mall game day shuttle work?

The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority runs the FootballRide shuttle, taking fans directly between park-and-ride hubs and the stadium gates for $1.50 each way ($3.00 round trip).

The Briarwood Mall shuttle and other FootballRide routes start about two hours before kickoff, running roughly every 20 minutes. The last buses head out from pickup points 30 minutes before the game begins. Shuttles drop off right by Crisler Center near Gate 2 on Stadium Boulevard.

Main shuttle pickup points:

• Briarwood Mall (South Route): Free parking in marked outer mall spaces near State Street and I-94 before boarding.
• Downtown Ann Arbor (Downtown Route): Pick up near the Fourth & William Parking Structure or the Blake Transit Center.
• North / Plymouth Road Hubs: Serves northside park-and-ride lots and nearby hotel clusters.

After the game, return buses run for about an hour. West and Downtown shuttles load on Stadium Boulevard between Gates 2 and 4. North, East, and South (Briarwood) buses board east of Gate 2 between Stadium Way and Kipke Drive. Fare can be paid with mobile contactless apps (EZFare, Moovit, or Transit) or exact cash ($1.50 per person).

Why parking in a neighborhood driveway or yard is a smart Big House alternative

Booking a driveway or lawn spot from a local resident is one of the easiest ways to get in and out quickly, helping you skip the long lines leaving university and high school lots.

• Pauline Boulevard & Allmendinger neighborhood (West): Driveways and yards along Pauline Boulevard, Snyder Avenue, Franklin Boulevard, Potter Avenue, and Berkley Avenue put you a 5- to 12-minute walk from the stadium's west and northwest gates. Parking on this side puts you west of the South Main Street road closures, so you can turn straight onto South Seventh Street or West Stadium Boulevard toward I-94 (Exit 172) or M-14 without waiting through the Pioneer High School exit lines.
• Hoover Avenue & Sybil Street corridor (North): Spots on East Hoover Avenue, Sybil Street, Mary Street, and Benjamin Street are a quick 5- to 10-minute walk to Gates 8 and 9 and the marching band route. After the final whistle, you can drive north on South Division Street or east on Hill toward Packard and US-23, avoiding the gridlock on South State Street and around the donor lots.
• South Main residential corridor (South): Driveways and private properties south of Stadium Boulevard on South Main Street and Ann Arbor-Saline Road sit an 8- to 15-minute walk from Gates 2 and 4. These spots let you make a quick right turn into the post-game southbound traffic flow toward I-94 (Exit 175), skipping the bottleneck of cars filtering off the golf course fairways.

You can book these spots ahead of time through Prked, which holds a 5.0/5 rating on Trustpilot across 750+ reviews. Reserving early locks in your driveway space along these routes, often for less than official lot rates. You get clear upfront pricing, card payments, host reviews, and a much faster trip home.

Where to find cheap parking near Michigan Stadium: Downtown Ann Arbor garages

If you want to keep costs down and avoid the worst post-game traffic around the stadium, city municipal garages are a great budget-friendly option.

Structures like the Fourth & William Structure (115 E. William St.) and the Maynard Street Structure (324 Maynard St.) charge standard city rates, usually $1.50 to $2.00 per hour or a flat event fee of $15 to $20. Walking to the stadium takes about 15 to 20 minutes down South Main Street or South State Street, passing local restaurants and game day street vendors along the way. Because you are parked north of the main street closures, you can head right out toward M-14 or US-23 after the game without waiting in stadium traffic.

Where is Michigan Stadium ADA accessible parking located?

Accessible parking is available primarily at the Green Lot (U-M Golf Course), Pioneer High School in Zone F, and reserved donor sections in the Blue Lot and Champions North Lot.

• Green Lot (Single-Game Cashless): Located off Stadium Boulevard at the U-M Golf Course entrance. Accessible spaces are first-come, first-served for $65 with a valid state-issued disability placard or plate.
• Pioneer High School (Zone F): Accessible parking can be reserved early on Park N Party or paid at the gate. Enter from Main Street.
• Champions North & Blue Lots: Donor-only accessible parking that requires a season permit.
• Triangle Lot Proximity Parking: Located southeast of Crisler Center off Stadium Boulevard ($60 cashless with a placard). This lot has gravel and uneven ground; fans needing flat, paved surfaces should head to the Green Lot instead.

Courtesy golf-cart concourse shuttles

The athletic department operates free golf-cart shuttles for fans with limited mobility. Shuttles start two hours before kickoff and run for about an hour post-game, moving guests between the Green Lot, the Buffalo Lot drop-off area, and Gates 2, 4, and 8.

How does Michigan Stadium Uber drop off and rideshare pickup work?

Before kickoff, rideshares can drop off near Gate 2 on Stadium Boulevard or at Hoover Avenue and Greene Street until pre-game street closures start. Drop-offs slow down significantly as game time approaches due to pedestrian traffic.

For pickups after the game, do not try to call an Uber or Lyft right outside the stadium gates. Police close South Main Street, Keech Avenue, and Hoover Avenue to regular traffic. Try these two options instead:

1. Walk North toward Downtown: Walk about 15 minutes north on Main Street to Packard, William Street, or the Michigan Union. You will get past the closures and connect with drivers coming in from M-14 much faster.
2. Walk West on Pauline Boulevard: Head west past Pioneer High toward Pauline Boulevard or Seventh Street to meet your driver away from the Main Street backup.

Are charcoal grills and pop-up tents permitted in Michigan Stadium parking lots?

Tailgating rules depend on whether you are on grass or asphalt:

• Open Flames & Grills: Propane grills are allowed in all lots. Charcoal grills, wood fires, fryers, and open pits are not permitted at Ann Arbor Golf & Outing or the U-M Golf Course to protect the grass. Charcoal grills with proper ash containers are permitted in paved sections of Pioneer High School and campus surface lots, as long as coals are fully put out before you leave.
• Pop-Up Tents: Standard 10' x 10' canopies are allowed as long as they fit directly in front of or behind your vehicle without blocking driving lanes or neighboring stalls. AAGOC allows canopies up to 10' x 12' behind vehicles at no extra charge.
• Generators: Portable gas generators are fine in paved lots if the exhaust points away from nearby vehicles and tents.

Are RVs allowed to park overnight in Michigan Stadium lots?

No. Overnight RV parking is not allowed on any University of Michigan campus lots or grounds.

For day-of-game use, RVs and campers can park in designated spaces at the Brown Lot RV or Maize RV Lot on South State Street for a flat fee of $200 (either pre-paid or at the gate depending on the matchup). Pioneer High School also takes day-use RVs through oversized vehicle reservations on Park N Party. If you need overnight hookups, private campgrounds like the Washtenaw County Fairgrounds (about 15 minutes southwest in Saline) offer weekend football parking and RV spots with shuttle connections.

What are the best Big House parking tips for post-game traffic and exit routes?

Picking your parking spot based on post-game street closures is the best way to get home without sitting in gridlock.

After the game, Ann Arbor Police turn South Main Street into a one-way southbound road from Stadium Boulevard to I-94. All cross streets along this stretch are closed to through traffic.

How to plan your route:

• Heading West or South on I-94: Park at Pioneer High School, AAGOC, or Briarwood Mall. Follow police onto southbound South Main Street, which leads right to the I-94 ramps.
• Heading East toward Detroit (US-23 / I-94): Use the Maize Lot, Brown Lot, or private lots along South State Street, then drive south toward Eisenhower Parkway and the State Street I-94 junction.
• Heading North toward Lansing or Flint (M-14 / US-23 North): Park downtown (Maynard or Fourth & William) or in Central Campus structures (Thompson, Thayer). Drive north using Division Street, Huron Street, or North Main Street to reach M-14 without crossing stadium traffic. Avoid parking south of Stadium Boulevard if you need to travel north.