Michigan Stadium seats 107,601. It is the largest stadium in the United States, the largest in the Western Hemisphere, and the third largest sports venue in the world.
It has also held considerably more than that. The Big House drew 115,109 for a night game against Notre Dame in 2013, still the largest crowd ever to watch a football game on a college campus.
| Official capacity | 107,601 |
| Record attendance | 115,109 vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 7, 2013 |
| Opened | Oct. 1, 1927 — original capacity 72,000 |
| 100,000+ streak | Every home game since Nov. 8, 1975 — more than 300 straight |
| 2025 average attendance | 110,842 — highest of any college football team |
| Nickname origin | Broadcaster Keith Jackson, credited with popularizing "The Big House" in the 1980s |
The Largest Crowds in Big House History
| Attendance | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 115,109 | Sept. 7, 2013 | Michigan 41, Notre Dame 30 |
| 114,804 | Sept. 10, 2011 | Michigan 35, Notre Dame 31 |
| 114,132 | Nov. 26, 2011 | Michigan 40, Ohio State 34 |
| 113,833 | Oct. 20, 2012 | Michigan 12, Michigan State 10 |
| 113,718 | Nov. 19, 2011 | Michigan 45, Nebraska 17 |
| 113,090 | Sept. 4, 2010 | vs. UConn |
| 113,085 | Oct. 11, 2014 | vs. Penn State |
| 113,065 | Oct. 9, 2010 | vs. Michigan State |
| 113,016 | Nov. 17, 2012 | vs. Iowa |
Notre Dame, not Ohio State, is responsible for the two largest crowds in stadium history. The biggest Ohio State crowd ranks third.
How Capacity Grew
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Opens Oct. 1 with a 33-0 win over Ohio Wesleyan; capacity 72,000 |
| 1927 | Dedication game Oct. 22, a 21-0 win over Ohio State before 84,401 |
| 1956 | New press box and seating push capacity past 100,000 for the first time, to 101,001 |
| 1975 | The 100,000+ streak begins on Nov. 8 and has never been broken |
| 2007-2010 | $226 million renovation adds 83 luxury suites, 3,200 club seats and a new press box |
| 2015 | Capacity reduced from 109,901 to 107,601 to widen aisles and add handrails for ADA compliance |
The Extra Seat
Michigan’s capacity has ended in "1" through every expansion — 101,001, then 109,901, now 107,601. The trailing seat is traditionally said to be reserved for Fritz Crisler, the coach of the 1947 national championship team and later the athletic director who oversaw much of the stadium’s growth.
The larger design story belongs to Fielding Yost, who poured the original 1927 foundation strong enough to support eventual expansion to 150,000 seats. That ceiling has never been reached, but every enlargement since has relied on the footings he laid.
Not Just Football
The Big House holds attendance records in two other sports. The 2014 NHL Winter Classic between Toronto and Detroit drew 105,491, the largest crowd ever to watch a hockey game. The 2010 "Big Chill at the Big House" between Michigan and Michigan State announced 113,411, though Guinness certified a lower figure of 104,173 by counting scanned tickets rather than tickets sold.
The stadium has also hosted international soccer, drawing crowds that set records for the sport in the United States.
The Streak
The number that matters most to Michigan is not the record crowd but the run of them. Every home game since November 8, 1975 has drawn more than 100,000 people — over 300 consecutive games and still active, by far the longest streak in college football.
It has survived losing seasons, coaching changes and a 2020 campaign played without fans. In 2025 Michigan averaged 110,842 per game, the highest figure in the country, in a season that ended with the head coach fired. For more on the program see our all-time record and 2026 schedule.
The Bottom Line
Michigan Stadium’s official capacity is 107,601, the largest in the United States. Its record crowd of 115,109 came against Notre Dame in 2013 and remains the largest ever for a football game on a college campus. Every home game since 1975 has topped 100,000, and Michigan led the nation in average attendance again in 2025 at 110,842.