2024 Parent & Family Weekend FAQs
Q: When is Parent & Family Weekend 2024?
A: Parent & Family Weekend 2024 is Friday, September 27th through Sunday, September 29th, 2024.
Q: When will PFW be in 2025?
A: We do not know at this time. The date for Parent & Family Weekend 2025 is determined by the football game schedule and will be announced in the spring of 2025. For the most recent updates, we recommend joining the MFamily portal and checking the Parent & Family Weekend website.
TRAVEL & PLANNING
Q: When should we plan to arrive on Friday and leave on Sunday?
A: On Friday, events like college open houses, welcome receptions, and campus and museum tours occur throughout the day. Many of these events are free with registration. We encourage families to arrive early on Friday to take advantage of the many events. Sunday culminates with a brunch with Student Life staff (ticketed event).
Q: Are all the hotels booked, or are very expensive; what should I do?
A: Many hotels fill up quickly for Parent & Family Weekend, and there is not a specific hotel reserved for first-year families. For PFW hotel blocks in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas, please visit our Plan Your Trip site. If you have difficulty finding lodging, we suggest visiting Destination Ann Arbor, AirBnB, VRBO, or contacting other Detroit Airport area hotels.
Q: What are my parking options?
A: Parking in Ann Arbor is extremely limited during Parent & Family Weekend due to our large U-M & Ann Arbor communities. Visit the Plan Your Trip page for in-depth details about parking. For additional information about parking during the football game, visit mgoblue.com.
Q: Will there be shuttle services available?
A: On Saturday, a shuttle service will be available to transport people from the Hill Street and Thompson Street parking structures to the Tailgate and then back from the football game. There is no registration for the shuttles.
Q: Is there accessible parking at the stadium?
A: Athletics has information regarding parking options for those with mobility concerns. For more information about accessible parking for the football game, please visit the Michigan Stadium Guide for Guests with a Disability.
Q: Is there an MFamily Weekend App?
A: No, we no longer use an app.
REGISTRATION (online registration is now closed)
Q: When does registration open?
A: Registration opens online Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at noon (ET) and closes Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM (ET). In-person registration will be available during check-in on Friday, September 27, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM ET in the Pendleton Room in the Michigan Union.
Q: How does registration work, and what is the price?
A: On August 7th, at noon ET, a registration link will appear on the Parent & Family Weekend website that will link to the registration page. After selecting all tickets you wish to purchase, you will complete your registration with a credit card payment. You may not log back in later to purchase more tickets and will not be able to return tickets. You will be charged the non-refundable $60 registration fee upon checkout.
· To attend PFW events, each family/group must register for the weekend ($60). Only one registration is required per family.
· After accessing the PFW registration link, users will have approximately 15 minutes to select options, including ticket purchases, reservations, gift item orders, and checkout.
· The $60 PFW registration fee is non-refundable.
· A registration confirmation will be sent to the email address used to register.
Q: Do I need my student’s UMID or uniqname to complete the registration?
A: Yes, you will need your student’s UMID to complete the registration.
Q: Does my student need a ticket?
A: Yes, a ticket must be purchased for anyone attending a ticketed event, including students.
Q: Will I receive a confirmation email after I complete my registration?
A: Yes. A confirmation email will be sent to the email used to register for PFW. Please write to us if you do not receive your confirmation within five business days.
Q: I have more than one student enrolled at U-M. Which student’s information do I include in my registration?
A: It does not matter which student’s information you include, as long as you are consistent. If you wish for your other student to be able to pick up the tickets at check-in, please include their name when prompted on the registration form.
Q: Can I return/get a refund for my tickets?
A: Individual tickets will not be returned/refunded. If you wish to cancel your ENTIRE ticket order for PFW, refunds will be issued through September 6th, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET. All requests for refunds must be emailed to [email protected]. The $60 registration fee is non-refundable.
Q: Can I exchange or trade my tickets?
A: The PFW team is unable to exchange or swap tickets once you have completed your purchase. However, a physical posting board will be available for families to post tickets for sale or request tickets so that they can connect with other families who want to purchase/sell tickets.
Q: Can I purchase more tickets once my registration is complete?
A: Any tickets remaining after registration closes will be for sale at check-in on September 27th at the Michigan Union. Additionally, there will be a physical posting board available for families to post tickets you have for sale, or to post a request for tickets so that you can connect with other families who want to purchase/sell any tickets.
Q: What is the deadline for full refunds?
A: September 6th, 2024. Please note the $60 registration fee is non-refundable.
Q: What does the $60 registration fee get me?
A: There is a $60 non-refundable registration fee. This grants you access to many of the free events taking place that weekend -- including open houses and receptions hosted by various schools and colleges. Some of these events require an RSVP, and you will have the opportunity to do so during the registration process. The registration fee also allows you to receive a limited-edition Wolverine Family souvenir.
Additionally, Parent & Family Weekend is a self-funded event. Your registration fee covers the cost of overhead expenses, including publications, postage, registration materials, staff, room and equipment rentals, technology fees, and the non-ticketed events and activities offered during the weekend. Event fees are kept to a minimum; the weekend is designed to cover its costs.
EVENTS & TICKETS
Q: What types of events are offered?
A: Many events during the weekend are covered by the registration fee, such as school and college open houses, tours, presentations from Student Life programs, and visits to residence halls and museums. Some activities require ticket purchases, such as the annual PFW Tailgate on Saturday, the home football game vs. Minnesota, and the Student Life Brunch on Sunday. Tickets to these events can be purchased while registering and while supplies last.
Q: Where do I check the schedule/list of events?
A: The Parent & Family Weekend website will post a detailed list of events and their descriptions. We recommend you review the events closely before registration so you are prepared to purchase your tickets once registration opens.
Q: When can I pick up the tickets that I purchased?
A: Parent & Family Weekend check-in begins Friday, September 27th, at 9 AM ET in the Pendleton Room on the 2nd floor of the Michigan Union and concludes at 7:00 PM ET on the same day.
Q: Can my student pick up our registration materials?
A: Yes, students can pick up Parent & Family Weekend materials at the registration site on Friday between 9 AM and 7 PM ET. Students must show their MCard to pick up registration materials. Make sure to list your student’s name when completing the registration so that they are designated as an authorized pick-up person.
Q: It’s Saturday, and I haven’t picked up my tickets yet. What should I do?
A: If you did not pick up your tickets on Friday, you may pick them up at the Michigan Union Ticket Office, 530 State St (ground floor), between 10 AM and 2 PM ET. However, souvenir items purchased through registration will not be available for pick-up.
We strongly recommend that you pick up your tickets on Friday at the Michigan Union. Your student can also pick up your tickets for you on Friday by presenting their MCard. Make sure to list your student’s name when completing the registration so that they are designated as an authorized pick-up person.
Q: Can my souvenir items be shipped to our permanent address?
A: No. For logistical reasons, we are unable to ship out any items purchased through Parent & Family Weekend. We will hold any souvenir items not claimed during Check-in at the Dean of Students Office for two weeks after the Parent & Family Weekend event ends. You may send your student to retrieve your souvenir items from the Dean of Students Office. Make sure to list your student’s name when completing the registration so that they are designated as an authorized pick-up person.
FOOTBALL TICKETS
Q: How do I get football tickets for Parent & Family Weekend?
A: Your registration fee includes Many Parent & Family Weekend presentations, receptions, tours, and events! You can also purchase tickets a la carte for activities like the U-M v. Minnesota football game, Parent & Family Weekend Tailgate, G-fest performance, and more. If your family plans to attend the U-M v. Minnesota football game, you may purchase game tickets through UM's Thirday Party Vendor, Seat Geek, now.
*U-M Athletics and Parent & Family Weekend no longer have tickets available.*
Q: What time is the football game/Tailgate?
A: The MFamily Tailgate will begin at 8 am ET and end at 11 am ET. Kickoff is at noon ET.
Q: Does my football ticket grant me entry to the Tailgate?
A: No. The Tailgate is a separate event that requires a ticket.
Q: Do football tickets usually sell out?
A: Tickets sell out quickly, and PFW has limited tickets available. You may purchase tickets directly from UM's partner site, Seat Geek.
Q: I have ADA needs, can I request ADA seating?
A: To request accessible seating accommodations, please contact the Athletic Ticket Office directly.
Q: Do families who register earlier get better seats for the football game?
A: No. Time of registration has no impact on the location of your seats for the football game. Most seats bought through Parent & Family Weekend will be located in the south end zone, although due to high demand, some could be located elsewhere.
Q: How many football tickets can I purchase?
A: Each family can purchase four football tickets through PFW. If a family registers for more than 4 football tickets through PFW, the additional tickets will be canceled.
Q: What if I need more than 4 football tickets?
A: PFW can only provide four tickets per family. We are allotted a limited number of tickets and can not make any exceptions. If you require more than four tickets, you may purchase them from third-party sites like Seat Geek.
Q: Will my student need a separate football ticket?
A: YES; if you want your student to sit with you and your family, you will need to include them in your ticket purchase. If your student already has student football tickets, this will seat them in the student section (NOT with you and your family).
Q: I want to purchase football tickets for the weekend only. We won’t be attending any other events.
A: There is a $60 registration fee for Parent & Family Weekend in addition to the ~$99 football ticket price. If you are confident you only want to attend the football game, it may better suit your needs to purchase football tickets directly from Michigan Athletics or third-party sites like Seat Geek.
Q: I’m not attending the football game. Are there other events for the weekend?
A: Yes! There are plenty of events for all interests, including performances, campus tours, and receptions. The Parent & Family Weekend Events website has a detailed list of events and their descriptions. Please take a look to find which events interest you and your family most.