Michigan Spring Game 2026: Your Complete Visitor Guide to Ann Arbor
Alex DeCamp • April 3, 2026
The annual Maize vs. Blue Spring Game at Michigan Stadium is one of the most accessible events in college football. Free admission, open parking nearby, and a Big House atmosphere without the October pressure of a Big Ten game. If you've been thinking about making the trip to Ann Arbor, April 18, 2026 is one of the better dates to do it.
Here's what you need to know before you arrive.
The Game Itself
This is Kyle Whittingham's first spring game as Michigan head coach. Free admission, April 18 at 2 PM ET at Michigan Stadium. Spring games are fan-friendly — families, alumni, and the Marching Band in a lower-stakes Big House atmosphere.
Arrive Friday. Parking fills up Saturday. Pioneer High School lot at 601 W. Stadium Blvd costs about $30. Downtown garages run $20-30. AAATA FootballRide shuttle from Blake Transit Center. Or walk from Stadium Suites, half a mile away. Tailgating starts 3-4 hours before kickoff. Where to eat: Zingerman’s Deli, Frita Batidos, Jolly Pumpkin, Spiedo, Big City Small World Bakery. Kerrytown Market District is worth a morning visit. After the game, walk back in 15 minutes while everyone else sits in traffic for an hour. 2026 highlights: Oklahoma Sep 12, Penn State Oct 17, Michigan State Nov 7. Book early at stadiumsuitesmi.com or call 734-821-6999.
Stadium Suites is about 10 minutes by car from the U-M Health System on a normal day, 15-20 minutes during peak traffic. If your medical stay will be longer, ask about our Sunset property, which is closer to the hospital complex. Every suite has a private bedroom with ensuite bath, a full kitchen for preparing meals, and a business center in the basement with desks and coffee. Self check-in via smart lock means no lobby coordination around medical appointment schedules. A full kitchen matters during medical visits. You can prepare meals on your schedule without relying on hospital cafeteria food or restaurant runs between appointments. Stock groceries once and eat when it works for you. The business center is available around the clock. If you need to work remotely during a family member's treatment, or simply need a quiet space away from the living area, it's there. We understand these stays are often stressful. The goal is simple: comfortable, private accommodations that stay out of your way while you focus on what matters. Book at stadiumsuitesmi.com or call 734-821-6999. For extended medical stays, email support@greatstays.co to discuss options.
Michigan Stadium is the largest stadium in the United States. On game day, 107,000 people converge on Ann Arbor. Where you stay relative to that stadium shapes your entire experience. Stadium Suites at 830 Henry Street is half a mile from Michigan Stadium. Ten to fifteen minutes on foot. On game day, that means no parking search, no shuttle wait, and a quiet walk home while 100,000 fans sit in traffic. The property has eleven townhomes. Private bedrooms with ensuite baths, a full kitchen, shared living area, and a business center in the basement. Self check-in via smart lock. Groups up to 12. Hotels near Michigan Stadium are generally 1-2 miles away and charge game-day premiums. A group of 8 needs 2-4 hotel rooms at $200-400 each. One Stadium Suites townhome handles the whole group with more space and a kitchen. Nearby dining: Zingerman's Deli, Frita Batidos, Jolly Pumpkin, Spiedo, and Big City Small World Bakery. Kerrytown Market District and Main Street are walkable. Michigan Stadium hosts more than football. Summer concerts and university events draw similar crowds. For any large event, being half a mile away beats two miles. Book at stadiumsuitesmi.com or call 734-821-6999.