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 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 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 site. 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.
REGISTRATION
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 link to the Fee Waiver Application will be shared on the PFW website 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 website 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.
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. 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 PFW website 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.
FOOTBALL TICKETS
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 in three ways:
- You may purchase football tickets directly from the U-M Athletic Ticket Office when they become available to the public (usually mid-July) at https://mgoblue.com/feature/football-tickets.
- You may purchase football tickets now through U-M's third-party vendor, SeatGeek.
- A limited number of football tickets will be available for purchase during PFW registration, beginning October 23, 2026, at noon ET. However, the PFW team cannot guarantee that tickets will be available for every interested family, as they typically sell out within a few hours.
PFW allows families to register for up to four tickets per family and cannot make exceptions. If you require more than four tickets, you may purchase them directly through Michigan Athletics or SeatGeek. If you wish to sit with your student, you must include them in your ticket purchase. If your student already has student football tickets, they will be seated in the student section (not with your family).
Q: What time is the football game and PFW Tailgate?
A: Football game kickoff time is usually announced 6 days prior to game day. The PFW Tailgate begins 4 hours prior to kickoff and ends 1 hour before kickoff.
Q: Does my football ticket grant me entry to the PFW Tailgate?
A: No. The PFW Tailgate is a separate event that requires a ticket.
Q: Do football tickets usually sell out?
A: Football tickets sell out quickly, and PFW has limited tickets available. You may purchase tickets
directly through Michigan Athletics or SeatGeek.
Q: I have accessibility needs; can I request ADA seating at the football game?
A: To request accessible seating, please contact the Michigan Athletic Ticket Office directly.
Q: Do families who register earlier get better seats for the football game?
A: No; the time of registration has no impact on the location of your seats for the football game. Most seats purchased through PFW will be in the south end zone, though some may be elsewhere due to high demand.
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 cannot make any exceptions. If you require more than four tickets, you may purchase them from Michigan Athletics or SeatGeek.
Q: Will my student need a separate football ticket?
A: Yes; if you want your student to sit with your family, you will need to include them in your ticket purchase. If your student already has student football tickets, they will be seated 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 $55 registration fee for PFW in addition to the football ticket price. If you are confident that you only want to attend the football game, it may be better to purchase tickets directly from Michigan Athletics or on third-party sites like SeatGeek.
Q: I'm not attending the football game. Are there any other events this weekend?
A: Yes; there are many 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.