Question Re: Football Tickets
Gents,
My dad is retiring labor day weekend and I'd to take our whole family to the football home opener to celebrate. We'll have 11 of us total, 6 adults and 5 kids (3 under the age of 4). I was working under the assumption that if you had your kid sit on your lap, they wouldn't need their own ticket. Unfortunately, I just looked up the "official policy" which says every individual needs their own ticket regardless of age.
My question is how strict do they adhere to this policy? I live in LA and it's been a while since I've been to a game in the Big House. The trip back to Michigan is already a pricey one (why are tickets to DTW so ridiculously expensive?!?!), so I'm really hoping there's a little wiggle room in the policy. Thanks for your help!
Michigan follows the Big Ten policy of requiring a ticket for everyone regardless of age including infants being carried and/or in back or front packs. Call me a grumpy old man, but I support the policy for reasons of safety and in consideration of other fans.
I have a 2 year old grandchild that I dearly love, but would not think of bringing her to a Michigan game at this age. If I want to spend quality time with my grandchild there are far better options. I would be able to experience the game better watching on TV with my grandchild then at the stadium.
The grandchild would not know what is going on during the game and would not remember the experience. She will need constant supervision as she likes to explore which is potentially dangerous and a distraction for myself and others. When constrained in what the grandchild may do she is prone to tantrums that will detract from the enjoyment of the game by others. She may not be able to see much of the game sitting on anyone's lap, as other fans stand during exciting plays and sometimes for extended periods. She may be exposed to foul language at the game that I would prefer to avoid.
Seating in the stadium is tight enough without adding children that have no tickets. In addition, you may not be able to bring into the stadium many items that you may need to keep young children happy and entertained.
My suggestion is one or more adults take the younger children to Ann Arbor Hands-on-Museum during the game. https://www.aahom.org You might even have some adults (with their own tickets) switch roles at half-time. The children are likely to have more fun at the museum as well as the adults attending the game. Meet for a family meal after the game and share your experiences.