MSU Announces 2016 Football Ticket Prices
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Following a 2015 season that saw Michigan State win the Big Ten Championship, play in the College Football Playoff and finish with a No. 6 national ranking, the Spartan Ticket Office will open season ticket renewals on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 7) for current season-ticket holders for the 2016 season.
An attractive home schedule kicks off Friday, Sept. 2 vs. Furman and includes Big Ten games against Wisconsin (Sept. 24), Northwestern (Oct. 15, Homecoming), Michigan (Oct. 29), Rutgers (Nov. 12) and Ohio State (Nov. 19). MSU will also play host to BYU on Oct. 8 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The 2016 home schedule features five opponents that participated in postseason bowl games last season: Wisconsin (Holiday), BYU (Las Vegas), Northwestern (Outback), Michigan (Citrus) and Ohio State (Fiesta).
For the first time since 2009, season-ticket prices will see an increase. Season tickets for the 2016 season will be priced at $343 for public and $280 for faculty and staff. These 2016 prices reflect an increase of $5 per game.
Along with season-ticket renewals, current season ticket holders can also renew requests for parking for the 2016 season. The price for season parking is $210 ($30 per game) and is an increase of $10 per game.
"Our season-ticket holders are some of our most important stakeholders and their commitment to Michigan State Athletics, our coaches and most importantly our student-athletes, is what makes MSU a special place," said MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis. "We never take our fans for granted and we understand that they make a significant financial commitment for the opportunity to attend our events. Over the years, we strive and have been successful in maintaining reasonable prices for our fans in the college football market.
"We also cannot take our success for granted. Therefore, we must continue to generate revenue and resources to maintain our program at the top of both the conference and national level. This season-ticket plan will help us reach our goal of consistently being in position to compete for championships.
"We thank Spartan fans for their continued dedication and support during this exciting era of Michigan State football. We appreciate the investment they make in our program and the significant role they play in our ability to compete for a Big Ten and National Championship."
Since the 2010 season, Michigan State has won three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), four bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton), appeared in the College Football Playoff (2015), and is one of only two programs in finish in The Associated Press Top 10 the last three seasons (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015). MSU's 65 wins since 2010 are tied for fifth most among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams and most in the Big Ten during that same period. In addition, the Spartans have won 36 games since the beginning of 2013 (36-5 record), fourth most in the FBS during that period. Michigan State has posted at least 11 wins five times in the last six seasons (11 in 2010, 11 in 2011, school-record 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014, 12 in 2015).
Michigan State has one of the most dedicated fan bases in the country, as the Spartans have ranked among the NCAA Top 25 in attendance each of the last 60 seasons, including No. 19 in 2015, averaging 74,661 fans per game. The Spartans ranked No. 16 in the NCAA in total attendance at 522,628 fans for seven home games. Under Dantonio, MSU has produced an impressive 51-12 (.810) record at Spartan Stadium.
Entering his 10th season as head coach in 2016, Dantonio expects to welcome back more than 20 players with starting experience from last year's 12-2 Big Ten Championship team that advanced to the College Football Playoff and defeated a school-record three AP Top-10 teams (No. 2 Ohio State, No. 4 Iowa, No. 7 Oregon). Spring practice begins on March 22 for the Spartans, with the Green-White spring game scheduled for April 23 (3 p.m. kickoff).
Student ticket information for the 2016 season will be released in March.
ADDITIONAL SPARTAN FOOTBALL TICKET INFORMATION AND FAQs
Why are season ticket prices increasing for 2016?
As a self-sustaining department, MSU Athletics is reliant on revenue from primarily football and men's basketball (approximately 98% of total revenue) to support 800 student-athletes in 25 sports.
This is the first increase of public and faculty/staff tickets since 2009. On pace with inflation, this moderate increase ($5/game) keeps the cost of season ticket in the middle of the Big Ten and maintains the purchase of MSU Football season tickets as one of the most economical values in the nation. Even with the increase, Michigan State's season-ticket prices remain in the middle of the Big Ten Conference; based on 2015 season-ticket prices, MSU would be ranked seventh behind Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Penn State and Rutgers.
What is the value of a season ticket vs. buying on a single-game basis?
The cost of season tickets if purchased on individual game basis ranges from $440 to $850 based on location, in comparison to the $343 for public season tickets and $280 for faculty/staff.
Why is the cost of parking going up this year?
Funds collected by the Athletics Department for season and individual game parking support and maintain the University's existing parking lots and fund parking construction projects including the new Harrison Road Garage (Ramp 7) that will be available for the 2016 football season and the 2016-17 basketball season.
Parking Lot M-66 will be permanently closed due to construction of the 1855 Place and Lot F will transition from a season parking pass lot to a public parking option in 2016.
What time will parking lots open for 2016?
Parking lots will open at 7 a.m. for a 12 p.m. kickoff, 9 a.m. for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, and 1 p.m. for an 8 p.m. kickoff.
Do I get Spartan Points for my purchase of season tickets?
Yes! You earn three Spartan Points for purchasing football season tickets.
When is the deadline to have my season tickets renewed?
May 1, 2016
When can I order season tickets if I'm not a current season-ticket holder, but would like to order season tickets for the 2016 season?
New season ticket sales for fans who are not current season ticket holders will begin on June 1, 2016, offered first to Spartan Fund donors in priority order.
When is the deadline to have my Spartan Fund donation given?
The preferred deadline for seat-related gift the deadline is May 1 and for all other gifts to determine your Spartan Fund annual giving level for 2016-17 the deadline is June 30. (www.SpartanFund.net)
