Parent & Family Weekend FAQ

Q: When is Parent & Family Weekend (PFW) 2026?

A: Parent & Family Weekend 2026 is Friday, October 23rd through Sunday, October 25th, 2026.

Q: When will PFW be in 2027?

A: The football game schedule determines the date for PFW 2027 and will be announced in the spring of 2027. For the most recent updates, we recommend joining the MFamily Portal  or checking back here.

Q: When should we plan to arrive on Friday and leave on Sunday?

A: On Friday, events like school and college open houses, welcome receptions, and campus and museum tours occur throughout the day. Many of these events are free with your PFW 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: All the hotels are booked or are very expensive – what should I do?

A: Many hotels fill up quickly for PFW, and there is no specific hotel reserved for families. For PFW hotel blocks in Ann Arbor and the surrounding areas, please visit our Plan Your Trip page. If you have difficulty finding lodging, we suggest visiting Destination Ann Arbor or contacting other hotels in the Detroit Airport area.

Q: What are my parking options?

A: Parking in Ann Arbor is extremely limited during PFW 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 shuttle services be available?

A: On Saturday, a shuttle service will be available to transport people from the Hill Street and Thompson Street parking structures to the PFW tailgate, and then from the football game back to the Hill Street and Thompson Street parking structures. No registration is necessary to use 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 Athletics Game Day Parking website.

Q: Is there an MFamily Weekend App?

A: No, we do not use a mobile app.

Q: When does PFW registration open?

A: Online registration opens Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at noon (ET) and closes Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 5:00 PM (ET). In-person registration will be available during check-in on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM ET in the Rogel Ballroom, on the second floor of the Michigan Union.

Q: Do you offer a PFW Registration Fee Waiver?

A: Yes, the PFW Registration Fee Waiver is designed to assist the families of students with financial need as demonstrated by the student’s financial aid package. Consideration will be given to students who receive the Go Blue Guarantee or are determined eligible by the Office of Financial Aid. Any parent, guardian, or guest of a current undergraduate student receiving financial aid can apply for a PFW Registration Fee Waiver. The waiver covers the $55 registration fee for PFW. It does not automatically cover other associated costs of participation (e.g., football tickets, travel costs, etc).

Complete and submit the Fee Waiver Application between July 6 and July 20, 2026. Families will be notified of decisions via e-mail on a rolling basis through August 1, 2026. The Fee Waiver Application can be found HERE beginning July 6, 2026.

Q: How does registration work, and what is the price?

A: On August 19th, at noon ET, a registration link will appear on the PFW Registration Page that will link to the registration page. After selecting all the tickets you wish to purchase, you will complete your registration by paying with a credit card. You may not log back in later to purchase more tickets, and you will not be able to return tickets. You will be charged the non-refundable $55 registration fee upon checkout. To attend PFW events, each family/group must register for the weekend ($55). Only one registration is required per family. After accessing the PFW registration link, users will have approximately 15 minutes to select options, including purchasing tickets, making reservations, ordering gift items, and completing checkout. The $55 PFW registration fee is non-refundable.

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 email us at [email protected] 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 if you are consistent. If you want your other student to pick up your tickets at check-in, please include their name when prompted on the registration form.

Q: Can I return or 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 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. All refund requests must be emailed to [email protected]. The $55 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, families can post tickets for sale or request tickets in the MFamily Portal to connect with other families who want to buy or 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 October 23, 2026, in the Michigan Union. Additionally, families may use the MFamily Portal to post tickets for sale or to request tickets to connect with other families who want to purchase or sell tickets.

Q: What is the deadline for full refunds?

A: September 16, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. You may refund your ENTIRE ticket order by this date. Please note the $55 registration fee is non-refundable.

Q: What does the $55 registration fee include?

A: There is a $55 non-refundable registration fee to attend PFW events. 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 includes a limited-edition MFamily souvenir.

Additionally, PFW is a self-funded event. Your registration fee covers overhead expenses, including publications, postage, registration materials, staff, room and equipment rentals, technology fees, and non-ticket events and activities offered during the weekend. Event fees are kept to a minimum, and the weekend is designed to cover its costs.

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. Indiana, and the Student Life Brunch on Sunday. Tickets for these events can be purchased during registration while supplies last.

Q: Will classes on Friday, October 23rd, be canceled for PFW?

A: Classes on Friday, October 23rd are scheduled as normal.  Please plan Friday activities accordingly based on your student’s class schedule.

Q: Where do I check the schedule of events?

A: The Parent and Family Weekend Schedule page will post a detailed list of events and their descriptions. We recommend that you review the events closely before registering so you are prepared to purchase your tickets when registration opens.

Q: When can I pick up the tickets that I purchased?

A: You can pick up your tickets at PFW check-in. Check-in begins Friday, October 23, 2026, at 9 AM ET in the Rogel Ballroom, on the 2nd floor of the Michigan Union, and concludes at 7:00 PM ET the same day.

Q: Can my student pick up our registration materials?

A: Yes, students can pick up PFW materials at the check-in on Friday between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM ET. Students must show their MCard to pick up registration materials. Please list your student’s name when completing the registration so they are designated as an authorized pick-up person.

Q: Can my souvenir items be shipped to our permanent address?

A: No. We are unable to ship any items purchased through PFW. We will hold any souvenir items not claimed during Check-in at the Dean of Students Office, 3100 Michigan Union, for two weeks after PFW ends; your student may visit the office to retrieve them. Please list your student’s name when completing the registration so they are designated as an authorized pick-up person.

Q: How do I get football tickets for the U-M v. Indiana football game during PFW?

A: If your family would like to attend the U-M v. Indiana football game on October 24, 2026, you may purchase game tickets through U-M’s third-party vendor, SeatGeek.

During registration, select and add 1 football ticket access code to your cart. (Note: Adding this code to your cart does not purchase your tickets. It provides access to buy up to 4 tickets at a later step).

Within 5 business days of registering (not immediately), you will receive an email from [email protected] sent to the address used during registration. This email contains your single-use promo code and direct link. Click the link and enter your code to purchase up to 4 football tickets. Once your purchase is complete, you will receive an email from Fevo ([email protected]) with your tickets attached.

To manage, transfer, or locate your tickets, log into your Michigan Athletics Account at mgoblue.com/myaccount (an account is automatically created when you complete your Fevo purchase).

• Enter the email address where you received the Fevo tickets and click Continue.
• Click Sign in with a code to receive an email verification code and set up your password.

For missing or lost tickets, log into your Michigan Athletics account at mgoblue.com/myaccount. Go to the Contact Us page and select the Lost Your Tickets? option on the right to re-issue them.