Morgan Wallen is bringing two concerts to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor this weekend, and the parking scramble has already started. About 75,000 people are expected each night, turning the Big House area into one of the busiest spots in the city.
For Shana Sayre, the answer was a pre-paid parking spot at a golf course across the street. She paid $265 for it before Friday's concert, a price she called the most she has ever spent on parking, but said the peace of mind was worth it. She said it is her third Morgan Wallen concert, and she was looking forward to the night.
The heavy price tag is part of the math around an event of this size. When tens of thousands of people arrive at once, the spaces closest to the stadium fill first, and the demand pushes drivers toward whatever remains. Ann Arbor police are deploying significant resources to manage the crowds both nights, and stadium rules add another layer for fans who already spent money on tickets: Michigan Stadium has a strict no-bag policy, and printed tickets will not be accepted. Concertgoers must have a digital copy ready at the gate.
That is why parking has become a second purchase for many fans, not a convenience. Lyndsay Stone said free parking at a family friend's house was a relief after seeing the prices being charged, and she noted that even with tickets paid for, the walk can be a hassle for people planning to wear cowboy boots. Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Kory Petterle said drivers should consider one of the city's parking garages if nearby spots are gone, and he said parking in certain residential neighborhoods is prohibited.
With two nights of near-capacity crowds headed to Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, the real question is not whether parking will be expensive. It is how many concertgoers will reach the Big House without paying a premium, and how smoothly they will get back out when the show ends.
