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Though we still don’t know whether or not Michigan will get an opportunity to take the field in earnest in 2020, or if anyone will be allowed in attendance to see it, one of the big mysteries has finally been solved.
One of the prevailing questions over the course of the offseason has been: if Michigan Stadium is at a reduced capacity allowing some fans to attend games, but not all fans, which fans are the ones who are allowed in? Some surmised it would be season ticket holders while others anticipated it would be the students.
In a release from the athletic department on Wednesday morning, it was announced that there would be no season tickets honored should a 2020 season happen, and that games would be sold on an individual basis. Those who have season tickets or are students would make up the pool of people with the ability to purchase said individual game tickets.
Additionally, the university will be switching to ‘ticketless entry’ in 2020.
Full release:
The University of Michigan Athletic Department announced today (Wednesday, July 15) that if U-M is able to have a 2020 football season, the capacity of Michigan Stadium will be reduced, or games could be held without fans as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A final decision on capacity will be made at a later date in consultation with medical experts, University leadership, the Big Ten Conference, and government officials/agencies.
“We have been working closely with a wide variety of leaders to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our student-athletes, coaches, fans and support staff associated with a game at Michigan Stadium,” said Warde Manuel, Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics. “We will follow the direction that all of these agencies and experts continue to provide during this challenging time.”
As a result, the following policies will be in effect for the 2020 football season:
- There will be no football season tickets. Status as a season ticket holder remains unchanged, and season ticket locations will be retained for the 2021 season.
- If U-M is able to have fans at Michigan Stadium, all home games will be sold on an individual game basis, with sales limited to current season ticket holders and students. There will be NO ticket sales to the general public.
- For season ticket holders who elected to adjust their season ticket location/quantity during the June upgrade period, that new location/quantity will be retained for the 2021 season.
- Details regarding a potential individual game sale will be communicated once a decision on playing with or without fans is finalized.
- In the event that Michigan is able to have fans at any sporting event this season, all forms of ticketing will move to a mobile platform.
Season ticket holders will have three options to choose from regarding their previous payments for Preferred Seat Contributions (PSC) and season tickets: convert the previous payment to a tax-deductible athletic gift, apply payments toward the 2021 season, or request a refund. Once a final decision on the football season is made, the athletic ticket office will follow up with additional details on how to request the option for PSC and season tickets. Season ticket holders do not need to take any action at this time.
Additional communication regarding all ticketing scenarios will be distributed at a later date.
The Big Ten has already announced that the 2020 season will be a conference-only slate, thus Michigan will no longer be hosting either Ball State or Arkansas State.