Shaded Seats at Michigan Stadium

Michigan Stadium, affectionately called “The Big House,” is college football’s largest venue. As the home field for the Michigan Wolverines, it is renowned for its huge crowds and passionate fanbase. Given Ann Arbor’s diverse seasonal weather, fans attending games later in the season might seek sunny spots to stay warm, while those attending sunnier fall games might look for shade. This guide will help by identifying the shaded seats at Michigan Stadium.

Where Are the Seats in the Shade and Sun at Michigan Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Michigan Stadium:

• West Sideline: Mid-afternoon shade on the Wolverines’ home side
• Premium Seats: Premium sideline seats are covered and shaded

And the seats in the sun at Michigan Stadium are mainly:

• East Sideline: Sun soaked on the away team’s side
• End Zones: Sunny until late in the day

Wolverines games at Michigan Stadium usually kick off at noon, 3:30 PM or 7:30 PM but can sometimes start at other afternoon times. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

Michigan Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Michigan Stadium is oriented north to south. By noon, the sun is high in the sky over the southeast corner near the end zone. Over the course of the afternoon, it curves and dips behind the west side of the stadium, where it eventually sets. This configuration generally makes the west side of the stadium the “shade side,” while the east side and end zones are the sunniest.

The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at Michigan Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Michigan Stadium Games

Michigan Stadium is a massive venue that dates back nearly a century. It features a classic “bowl” design found in many college stadiums from its era. Over the years, the University of Michigan has made expansions and upgrades, and there is now premium seating, suites, and a press box that towers over the bowl on both sidelines. Michigan Stadium is otherwise open to the elements, with no canopies or roofs to block out the sun.

Shade is rare early in the afternoon. For a game that kicks off at noon or 1:00 PM, the sun is high in the sky, and nearly every bowl-level seat is sun-soaked. If you’re willing to splurge, premium seating is your best hope for early afternoon shade. The 400-level and 500-level premium seating on both sidelines is covered and partially indoors, allowing fans to escape the sun. The 300-level club seats on the east sideline are also covered and benefit from shade while the sun is still high in the sky.

The vast majority of bowl-level seating is sunny for an early afternoon game. The only real hope for shade at this time of day is in the rows farthest from the field and below the west side premium seats. Shade seekers should focus on Sections 20-26. The higher the row, the sooner it will become shaded. Chairback Sections 21-25 are among the first to receive shade, but they may not become shaded until the third or fourth quarter of the game, depending on the exact kickoff time and time of year.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon and Evening Michigan Stadium Games

When the Wolverines kick off at 3:30 PM or later, shade is more abundant and easier to find. At the start of a mid-afternoon game, the sun is making its descent behind the west (home) side of the stadium. Shade seekers should focus their search on west sideline Sections 20-26. Fans in these bowl-level sections will have the sun at their backs, with shade covering their seats as it dips behind the stadium structure. Shade reaches rows in these sections from highest to lowest, so fans farther from the field will find shade earlier than those closer to the field.

The sunniest seats are on the east (away team) side of the stadium, in Sections 1-4 and 42-44. As the game progresses, the shade line will cross the field and begin covering seats on the east side from lowest to highest. Row 1 will become shaded first, followed sequentially by higher-numbered rows until the sun has completely dipped below the stadium on the opposite side of the field. End zone sections are typically in the sun for a 3:30 PM start but in the shade for a 7:30 PM start.

By late-afternoon seats on the west side of the stadium (left) are shaded while those on the east side (right) are still in the sun.
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire

Ready to buy shaded seats at Michigan Stadium Stadium?

Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see the upcoming game list for Michigan Stadium.