Attending a University of Michigan football game at Michigan Stadium is a quintessential college football experience. With over 100,000 seats, it’s the largest stadium in the United States and the third largest stadium in the world. As a result, Michigan football tickets are highly coveted and validating them is an important step to ensure entry on gameday.
How do I know if my Michigan football tickets are valid?
There are a few ways to check if your Michigan football tickets are valid for entry into a game:
- Purchase tickets directly from authorized sources like umich.edu, StubHub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, etc. Purchasing from unauthorized 3rd party sellers has risks.
- Register your tickets with the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office to verify authenticity. This adds your name to the ticket.
- Check for the official University of Michigan Athletics logo watermark on the ticket.
- Scan the QR code on the ticket using your smartphone. This will confirm if the ticket is valid in the system.
- Call the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office to verify your purchase and confirm barcodes.
If your tickets are valid, you will see your name printed on them and the unique barcode will scan properly at the gate. Invalid tickets may have incorrect barcodes, show someone else’s name, lack official logos, or fail the QR code scan. Always purchase from authorized sellers to avoid counterfeits.
What if I purchased paper tickets?
If you purchased traditional paper tickets directly from the University of Michigan Athletic Department, they will be valid for entry if they show:
- Your name printed on the ticket
- A valid barcode and ticket number
- The correct event details like team names, date, and seat location
- No signs of duplication, discoloration, or tampering
You can call the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office ahead of time and provide your ticket details for additional validation. Paper tickets purchased from unauthorized 3rd party resellers have a higher risk of being invalid or counterfeit.
How do I transfer or sell tickets?
To legally transfer or sell valid e-tickets purchased from Michigan Athletics, you must do so through the university’s official ticket exchange site at umich.edu. This will electronically transfer the ticket barcode to the new ticket holder. Transferring tickets outside of the exchange site is prohibited.
For paper tickets, you must physically mail or meet up with the ticket buyer to hand deliver. Never email PDFs or photos of paper tickets, as duplicates can be made. Register any transfers with the ticket office.
What if my tickets are lost, stolen, or damaged?
If your valid Michigan football tickets are lost, stolen, or damaged, contact the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office immediately. They can void those barcodes from the system and reissue replacement tickets. Be prepared to show your original proof of purchase. A fee may apply to reprint lost paper tickets.
How early should I arrive on gameday?
Arrive early! Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff and Michigan Stadium will be packed. Have your valid ticket ready and scan it at the gate entry turnstiles. Only fans with a valid printed ticket or mobile QR code will be allowed to enter. Expect long lines and delays getting into the stadium.
What will stadium staff look for to validate my ticket?
Michigan Stadium gate attendants will visually inspect all paper tickets for validation markers like the official logo, readable barcode, and your name printed. E-tickets will be scanned directly from your smartphone screen. Staff will deny entry for any tickets that appear duplicated, forged, or fail the scan.
Can I scan my ticket from my phone?
Yes, digital tickets issued directly from the Michigan Athletics Ticket Office can be scanned right from your smartphone screen. Open up your ticket barcode on your phone and place it front of the scanner. Make sure brightness is turned up – you may need to temporarily disable auto-brightness. Tickets must open properly in your ticket account mobile app in order to scan.
What if my tickets don’t scan properly?
If your Michigan football tickets fail the scan at the gate, remain calm and cooperate with staff. They will attempt manual verification, which could take extra time, so have your ID and proof of ticket purchase ready. If the tickets cannot be manually verified, you may be denied entry unless authentic replacements can be issued onsite.
How can I make sure my printed ticket scans correctly?
When printing paper tickets directly issued from Michigan Athletics, use high quality settings on plain white paper. Do not print on glossy photo paper. Test scan your printed ticket at home if possible. On gameday, avoid bending your ticket and keep it dry. For best results, print tickets one at a time and scan immediately upon entry while the ink is fresh.
Do I need a student ID for student section tickets?
Yes, a valid University of Michigan student ID showing you are currently enrolled must be presented with student section tickets, in addition to ticket barcode verification at the gate. Student tickets are non-transferable and IDs will be checked closely.
Can children enter with an adult ticket?
Children under the age of two can enter Michigan Stadium without a ticket if sitting on an adult’s lap. Any child occupying a seat must have a valid individual ticket. Children’s tickets are available at a discount from the regular price.
What if my ticket shows someone else’s name?
Only tickets showing your name and information will grant you entry into Michigan Stadium, as they are non-transferable. If you purchased a resold paper ticket that has someone else’s name printed on it, unfortunately it will be denied at the gate.
Are print-at-home tickets valid?
Print-at-home tickets are official tickets, however they are more susceptible to duplication and fraud than hard stock tickets. Verify the source and carefully inspect PDF printouts for authenticity. Best option is to transfer print-at-home tickets to your mobile device to scan.
Can my ticket barcode be emailed to my phone?
Barcodes should never be emailed, as they can be easily duplicated. Only transfer barcodes securely through official channels like the ticket office exchange site or via mobile ticket transfer to other ticketholders. Scanned printed email attachments will be denied.
What security features are on the tickets?
Michigan football tickets feature a range of security devices to deter fraud. This includes:
- Thermochromic ink that displays the “M Go Blue” logo when warmed with body heat
- Microprint borders with repeating “Go Blue” text only visible under magnification
- Unique reflective foil stamping of the block M logo
- Serial numbers matched to barcode assignments
- Color shifting ink in the background Michigan Stadium illustration
Scanners can detect inconsistencies in these marks to identify counterfeits. The advanced technology helps maintain integrity of the ticketing process.
What should I do if I think my ticket is counterfeit?
If you suspect you have been sold a counterfeit ticket, attempt to verify authenticity through the steps outlined above, like scanning the barcode or calling the ticket office. If it is confirmed to be fraudulent, please contact the University of Michigan Police Department to file a complaint.
Do not attempt to use counterfeit tickets at stadium gates, as you may face denial of entry, ticket confiscation, fines, or prosecution. Only purchase tickets from authorized outlets to avoid buying counterfeits unknowingly.
Can I dispute if denied for invalid tickets?
If your Michigan football tickets are deemed invalid at the gate, stadium staff make the final determination on entry. You may ask for a supervisor to review the situation but must comply with staff guidance. If you feel wrongfully denied, respectfully voice your concerns and file a detailed complaint with the UM Athletics Department afterwards.
How can I be protected when buying from resellers?
To be best protected when purchasing resold tickets:
- Buy only through StubHub, Vivid Seats, or other reputable exchanges
- Review seller ratings and deal guarantees
- Confirm barcode # matches seat location
- Register ticket purchase with Michigan’s ticket office immediately
- Use secure verified payment methods like credit card
- Do not buy from sellers who can’t provide photos of actual ticket
- Avoid Craigslist, eBay, or unknown seller websites
While still not risk-free, following these tips will help avoid counterfeits from disreputable sellers.
What is UM’s ticket transfer policy?
The University of Michigan Athletics Department prohibits transfer or resale of tickets away from officially designated outlets. Per UM policy:
- Season ticket holders can sell or transfer tickets online via umich.edu exchange
- Single game buyers can transfer tickets to friends/family usingticket account manager
- Tickets obtained from unauthorized sources may be identified as invalid upon entry
- Attempts to sell outside of approved exchange sites like StubHub violate policy
All ticket holders must comply with transfer rules and applicable state resale laws. Violators may face sanctions by Michigan Athletics.
Where can I find the full ticket policy?
The complete Michigan Football Ticket Policy containing all rules, regulations, and buyer terms can be found online at the Michigan Athletics website under the “Tickets” section. Key policy topics include:
- Eligibility requirements
- Ticket pricing and fees
- Cancellations and refunds
- Lost/stolen ticket replacement
- Unauthorized sales & transfers
- Fraudulent/counterfeit tickets
- Revocation of season ticket privileges
- Adherence to venue rules & conduct standards
Review thoroughly before purchasing tickets to ensure understanding. Violating policy may result in account suspension or other penalties.
Conclusion
Validating your game tickets is a crucial step in securing admission to Michigan Stadium on football gamedays. Carefully purchase from authorized sources, register your tickets, inspect security features, and transfer barcodes securely. Arrive early with your valid tickets ready to scan for efficient entry. Following proper ticket validation procedures will help ensure your gameday goes smoothly from start to finish – Go Blue!