I had the great pleasure of watching UM Women's Basketball team compete in the final game of the '25-'26 academic year in the second round of the NCAA tournament against NC State yesterday. The squad played exceptionally hard and pulled away for an impressive victory. The arena was clean, easy to get to, and we were welcomed by friendly elderly security screeners. The fans were engaged and polite. Several times our seat neighbors helpfully explained a rule for me after I had to be told to sit down & be quiet by my girlfriend. "Why one star?" you ask. I answer your question with a question: how can an institution whose athletic tradition is bested only by its academic prestige, a school full of valiant victors and heroes conq'ring, a university Darth Vader himself called the Best In The World, how can this venerated landmark serve its paying guests food not fit for the livestock on faculty in East Lansing? At halftime our beloved Wolverines were clinging to a 3 point lead after star guard Olivia Olson sat much of the first half in foul trouble (she finished with 27 points, all after the break). We had arrived within time's bending sickle's compass, though I didn't know it yet. We ventured into the concourse and chose a lunch line without much thought. This carelessness has altered the trajectory of my otherwise unremarkable life. Nothing looked particularly appetizing, least of all the prices. The prices! Friends, Romans, countrymen, I could have finished my abandoned undergrad degree (not from UofM, didn't even get waitlisted) for less than the cost of these heat-lamp Hindenburgs . But a hungry man with a hangry lover is wont to make hasty decisions: a small pepperoni Buddy's pizza; a small cardboard boat of fries badly in need of sildenafil; a small lukewarm water set on the counter by an aggressively indifferent sandwich artist sometime during the regular season; a box of popcorn whose visage, to a lifelong resident of B1G corn country, inspires rage and sorrow at the lost joy of freshly popped 'n buttered maize from states that begin with I; this pathetic bounty, $36. No. $43. Wait, no, $28. The concession areas in Crisler clearly list prices, but no person from the battalion of service workers there employed will exchange money for food. The world-renowned Behavior and Cognitive Sciences Department at the University of Michigan has installed tray-sized platforms under mounted fisheye lenses that, in partnership with Jian Yang's Seefood®, will discern what items you have set upon it and select at random two consecutive digits of Pi and display a dollar sign preceding those two digits and demand you pay that sum to be permitted to eat. Pending peer review they anticipate their findings will be published in JABS sometime next year. Based on the speed at which the queues move, our fellow-travelers, otherwise thinking people, tap their cards and exit. Love's not time's fool and neither am I--before I hand over my hard-earned SNAP credits, I want to be sure we are being charged the correct sum. I hesitate. My Opehlia, smarter than me in every way, arrives at the correct total for our selections long before I do. The Pi digits generated by the UoMBCSD machine do not match hers. Surely the difference is easily fixed? Here enters a sturdy woman, bearing a nametag inscrutable, sharply uniformed as assurance of comprehensive training, to assist. Harass? Assist. "Ok den, what y'all got?" I gesture at the clearly visible food sat upon the Seefood® tray. "Uh huh," she grunts, ostensibly by way of reassurance, though a glance at my beloved confirms that neither of us are reassured. Ophelia, smarter and gentler than me, proposes a summary as seconds of unrecognition creep in this petty pace. "I think it's charging us for a chicken and fries combo, but I just wanted the fries." Comprehension lights upon Sturdy's countenance. "Aay! Ay, ay, gimme one'dem empy whites!" She calls back to her antecounter coworkers. For a brief moment I fear she's referring to me: there are less-accurate descriptions of your humble reviewer than an Empty White. Mercifully, a barren rectangular styrofoam container emerges and Sturdy takes it in one hand, grabs our fries uncovered-thumb-first with her other hand, and replaces the empty space with the empty white. Seefood® thinks for a moment, then regurgitates a total that Ophelia and I both recognize is lower than correct. I move to pay but Sturdy stops me as the numbers crawl through her mind like allied troops on Omaha Beach: slowly, with violent intent. "Naw dat ain' righ'." Our fries are still marinating in her thumbsweat as she uses her other hand to scroll the touch-screen menu UoMBCSD helpfully installed as part of their two-tailed experiment on the hungry unsuspecting masses of Crisler. She arrives at FRIES as an option and presses the screen. INVALID ENTRY Hôtel des Invalides took less time to finish than checkout at a Crisler Seefood® public psychosocial experime read more

Crisler Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Great game, what a great team, food and atmosphere. Our seats were fantastic we even got free food

Great facility and Electric Atmosphere. The seating is nice and renovated and makes for a very comfortable viewing experience. There is a ton of options for concessions and the whole building just looks very modern. The court design is also very visually appealing and the Jumbotron is also big and clear. Go Blue! read more

Crisler Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 and the Crisler Center was a lot different back then than it is today. When I attended basketball games as a student, the Crisler Center was pretty dreary and outdated. To be honest, the interior where all of the concessions and everything are was downright ugly. How things have changed. I attended another game this past December while I was in town for a friend's bachelor party. They have renovated the Crisler Center and it's a whole new experience. Gone is an outdated facility and now you have a beautiful arena. I was impressed by how much things have changed. My only gripe? There aren't enough concession workers which leads to some long wait times to get food and drinks during halftime. Can't wait to be back one day for another game. Go blue! read more

Crisler is a great venue to watch our beloved Wolverines. Honestly I don't believe that there's a bad seat in the house. It's well run, easy to get in and out, decent concessions, clean with plenty of bathrooms and has an M Den stocked with plenty of swag. The concourse has interesting exhibits about a variety of U-M sports, cool memorabilia and several really fun hands on games, as well as photo ops. The Michigan band keeps the crowd pumped up throughout the game and the halftime entertainment is usually superb. We always have a wonderful time at Crisler win or lose. We can usually find affordable tickets on Stubhub. Plenty of inexpensive parking close by. read more

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We've been here once to see them play Maryland in 2019. We are coming back about this time last year, 2-8-20, to see them play llittle brother. I love this stadium, and the energy is always electric when you're inside. I'd give it 5 stars but I guess the Big Ten doesn't have alcohol sales in their sports venues. Still doesn't stop me from getting hammered before the game! Lol jk, but for real, I love this place and can't wait to get there Saturday morning to watch them play. GO BLUE! read more

Crisler Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Wolverines Basketball Tickets Sat, 12/01/2018, 3:30 PM US 2 tickets Upper Sideline 223 Row 31 | Seats 7,8 Ticket price (2 tickets) $124.00 Total fees* $34.76 Order total: $158.76 This arena is so intimate and our seats were amazing even on the balcony. It only holds about 12k or so spectators and the game was sold out, so we had to buy our tickets from a secondary site: Stubhub. It was easy to buy them and screenshot our tickets to get into the arena, but the $15 fee PER ticket seemed a little ridiculous. We arrived 30 minutes early and there was hardly a line to get in, to get through security, and file through the bag check line. I liked that they allowed purses and diaper bags unlike the Big House where those would be contraband. We got lucky being in section 223 because it was right outside the lactation room so I could nurse my baby and change his diaper. It was a locked room guarded by the ushers in the K section and had a changing table, comfy chair, sink and side table. I wish there was a toilet for my use, but even the bathroom lines weren't all that bad at halftime. We had eaten just before we arrived at the arena, so I can't do a food review like I usually do. We grabbed a water bottle for $4.50 :( For students, it would've been $2. Also, we walked around part of the concourse during halftime and there was a kids section with a selfie section where you could take pictures and email them to yourself. The atmosphere of the arena was intense and our view was unobstructed. I don't think there was a bad seat! The maize rage section was right below us spanning half of the lower bowl. The students lead everyone in chants and hand motions like at football games - it was so much fun to watch them rile up the crowds! Oh yeah - it was also an awesome game to attend - we lead the whole game and beat Purdue! read more

Crisler Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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This was my first time to the Crisler Center. I am usually at the Big house so I have seen it many times. I have always wanted to check it out to see a BBall game. It is a beautiful building. The food area and the seating are very easy to find. If you cannot find it there are friendly staff just eager and waiting to assist. I enjoyed myself at the event and plan to visit again soon. read more

Crisler Center - Ball court - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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With the Wolverine basketball season now underway, the recently renovated Chrisler Center is where it goes down. Like the UM football stadium next door, the Cottage Inn has the concession contract for PIZZA at the b-ball games. The Cottage Inn, which got its start in Ann Arbor 68 years ago in 1948, has the distinction of being the FIRST restaurant to serve PIZZA in town. It has been on growth spirt since the late 70s when it added a second location for carry out and delivery. Currently with over 50 locations in Michigan and Ohio, the Cottage Inn is now opening franchises in Florida and both North and South Carolina. Surprising to me, the Cottage just signed a franchise agreement to open a restaurant in China! A 'C-Inn' is always a welcome 4-star bite when enjoying the Wolverines on the hardwood. read more

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Since it's time for March Madness, I thought a review of Crisler Center is in order. This facility used to be called Crisler Arena before renovations and additions began the past year or so. There are more offices and areas aside from the main arena which is why I think umich is changing the name to center - to be all inclusive of its offerings. The recent renovation to the inside of the arena makes watching a basketball game or other event much more enjoyable. It is cleaner, brighter, seats are about the same comfort but they are new and not old stained ones from the 70s. The new scoreboard is great and there is a lot going on with many screens and tiers. The sound is hit or miss but you can usually make out what the announcer is saying. A few tweaks and I think it could be great. The concessions are still not outstanding. Strangely cooked hot dogs and hit and miss quality for other foods doesn't rank this high for an idea of 'let's get dinner at the basketball game!'. It will fill you up and when it's done right can be a good addition to watching any event. They have begun renovating the outer concourse and will be installing new concession areas, new restrooms, new displays and new things to do. If this is done right, I would probably up my rating to 5 stars but for now, it still has a couple of areas to improve. Go Blue! read more

Crisler Center - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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I was at the center for a basketball game for my first visit. We were in the next to last row but could still see the floor and media board. Sound system sound sucks up high. Impossible to understand much of what was said. Seating was comfortable. Attended winter graduation the next day. Just above floor level. Sound was fine. read more

Sports are complicated and v. intense. There's lot of running and jumping and yelling- and crowds. For someone like me who is TBH terrified of all of those things going to any sporting event can be borderline traumatic. Obviously anyone who doesn't have negative brain cells would consider me moderately insane for deciding to attend University of Michigan given my own neuroses and the atmosphere of the school. As a fact, I am moderately insane but that is completely independent of my decision to attend a big 10 school given my stance on sportz and big athletic events. So, it might be weird that first of all, I went to the Crisler Center and secondly, I'm deciding to review it but whatever I don't care what you think. Also, if you're like me and insist on being dressed in head to toe M gear at all times or maybe just the three M items you own the one time you attend a Michigan basketball game, it's still really important to have multiple licensed M gear retailers in the stadium be able to "reboot" your swag in between breaks. This is very important to who I am as a person and I am forever grateful that whomstever suggested to insert multiple M Dens here was supported in their idea. Go blue! My most favorite thing about the Crisler Center (besides the B-ball of course, most obvi) was the popped maize that my mommy purchased for me at one of 643 food outposts. I tugged at her purse bc I wanted it and ate half and my stomach hurt but overall cannot say enough good things about this tasty snack. Also, FYI, you might want to know, going to basketball here is pretty fun. The good news is that I didn't get hit with the ball but the bad news is that Rihanna wasn't there. Oh, and Michigan is okay at basketball too. Honestly, there isn't much else to say except don't go here alone. As someone who goes a lot of places alone and isn't judgmental of people who go places alone I would be judgmental of someone who was here alone. There is parking at the high school if you have a car and are allowed to drive but it costs money just so you know. read more

Went for my sisters graduation with her masters from u of m Dearborn. We had excellent seats in a box. Great view. Loved the seats. Had a blast. Love the place read more

I went here because the team I root for was in town (last season) to play Michigan, and they don't play each other that much. I got invited by a rabid Michigan fan who has season tickets. No problems getting in or out, and even though I was wearing the opposing teams gear not one fan started busting my chops. They were all quite friendly. The best part is that there doesn't seem to be a bad seat in the place. I would recommend if you enjoy college basketball. read more

Very small and dumpy, no electricity in the crowd. Even the players wish they could play at a place like Breslin or Mackey!

As Michigan Stadium has morphed into The Big House, so Crisler Arena has become Crisler Center. I like the renovations. There's a "club level" now that I don't know much about, but even if you spend time walking around like I did, it's not particularly prominent, and therefore feels less elitist than the new suites at the football stadium. There's much to like: modern restrooms with water-conserving fixtures, refreshments seating area, MDen location to do some shopping, and limited but very good quality trophy and memorabilia displays. read more

The recent renovations to the arena have made a big difference. Overall, I am still not a huge fan of the arena. I know the Michigan way is simple, but this one is not for me. If you want the real Michigan experience (of course not including the Big House), you need to get to a hockey game at Yost! At the end of the day, Crisler is still a U of M venue and I will forever be faithful. GO BLUE! read more

Good spot for a hoop game. First time there and everyone was very helpful and courteous. We sat down low, but don't think there is a bad seat in the house. And University of Michigan won, so all the better! One bad note, the Philly cheesesteak should not be confused with a real Philly cheesesteak Sandwich...just saying.. read more

You have to check out the new Crisler Center if you have not yet had the chance. The rennovations are great and it is a great place to watch BBALL. AND...it is great with a good UofM team to cheer for! Go Blue! read more

Great place to watch a game and grab some grub. No bad seat in this house. Easy in and out. Love this place

The new upgrades are awesome. The old place was cold and felt like a concrete jungle. The upgrades make it warm and comfortable. It is worth visiting even if there is no game. Don't miss the "M" waterfall. Beautiful. They offer a kid zone with baskets and other stuff for kids to do. The food has been upgraded too. More variety. All of the trophies are displayed nicely with a tribute to Cazzie Russell. Escalators were added and new colorful seating. The one flaw they could not change was the cramped seats. I am a 5'9" female and my knees push against the seat in front if me. They have made this place fun with added events too. read more

Great improvements inside over three years ago; parking it still an issue.