A Message from Athletic Director Bill Beekman
"Many of our Spartan student-athletes have returned to campus and are preparing for the 2020 season. There are still many questions to be asked and answered but we will do our best to keep our season ticket holders informed. The Big Ten Conference and member institutions have been collaborating for several months to develop plans and scenarios for the football season. Our priority is the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, staff, working personnel and our supporters and fans. We are working to finalize plans for reduced capacity in Spartan Stadium and will be able to share details once these critical decisions are made. In addition to seating capacity, we will also be addressing parking, tailgating, concessions, and other aspects of the game-day experience.
"We realize that even with incomplete information, some of our loyal supporters may have already determined that it's in their best interest to forgo attending football games in 2020. For those individuals, we have provided options. In doing so, we ask those who are able, consider converting payments made for tickets, seat premiums and parking to a 100% tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Spartan Fund or consider applying payments made to the 2021 season. Doing so will help Spartan Athletics at a most crucial time."
Information from MSU Athletics and the Spartan Ticket Office
Reduced Capacity Plan
We will likely be required to reduce the number of fans attending games at Spartan Stadium. In that event, price adjustments to tickets, seat premiums, and parking are likely, along with ticket quantity reductions. Further information will be communicated when our plan is finalized. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work through this formidable challenge.
General Seating Areas
We are considering a Reserved by Section plan for this season only. Fans would be assigned, in priority order, a reserved section and range of rows in the lower, middle or upper portions of the section. On game day, fans would choose seats within the allocated reserved section and row range to allow them to sit with others in their party while self-distancing from other spectators. It is possible that the section assigned will differ from your 2020 season ticket renewal.
Premium Seating Areas
Reserved seating in premium seating areas including the Sideline Club, Huntington Club, and Huntington Club Suites will be maintained and assigned for appropriate distance from other spectators. In the event of reduced capacity, the number of tickets you receive and/or the number of games that you are provided may be reduced.
Parking & Tailgating
For the health and safety of our guests, we are evaluating parking and tailgating policies for the 2020 season. We may choose to reduce the quantity of parking passes issued, adjust lot opening times, and provide updated tailgating policies. Please note that any changes made will be temporary and will be done in consultation with medical professionals and public safety officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have already renewed and have paid in full?
No immediate action is necessary. Additional information and options for consideration will be communicated when our plan is finalized.
What if I have placed a deposit but have not paid in full?
No immediate action is necessary. Additional information and options for consideration will be communicated when our plan is finalized.
When will a decision be made about the 2020 season?
We do not have a firm timetable on when a decision will be made regarding the 2020 season. We appreciate your patience and we will communicate as information becomes available.
I have renewed my season tickets but no longer feel comfortable attending. What should I do?
If you have decided not to attend games during the 2020 season, you may convert payments to a charitable donation, apply payments to 2021, or request a refund. Your tickets/seat locations will be released for the 2020 season and held for you for the 2021 season. (The Sideline Club is scheduled for a seat adjustment before the 2021 season. Therefore, Sideline Club members are not guaranteed the same seats in 2021, at this time.) You will maintain your Spartan Points for consecutive years of football season ticket purchasing.
Please reply if you choose one of the following options, if you have not already done so:
Option 1 - Opt-out and Convert to Charitable Contribution
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be converted to a Spartan Fund unrestricted gift (100% tax-deductible) and earn DOUBLE Spartan Points for lifetime giving to athletics (2 points per $100).
Option 2 - Opt-out and Rollover to 2021
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be applied to your 2021 football season renewal.
Option 3 - Opt-out and Refund
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be refunded.
When and how will I get my tickets and parking passes?
We plan to use a combination of printed and mobile tickets for the 2020 season. Parking passes will be printed and mailed to season ticket holders in late August. Given the uncertainty surrounding 2020, we request your patience and understanding that delivery could be later than in a typical year.
How will parking passes be allocated? When is the online parking selection?
Given the uncertainty, the online parking selection process will not take place this year. In the event of reduced capacity, access to parking lots may change. Many of our Big Ten counterparts have transitioned to digital tickets and parking passes to allow flexibility, as well as expedited and contactless delivery. At this time, we plan to use a combination of printed and mobile tickets and parking passes for the 2020 season. We will communicate with our fans any changes to the delivery of tickets and parking passes.
How will MSU handle seat premiums counted toward my Spartan Fund donor level if they are adjusted?
Seat premiums and philanthropic gifts to Spartan Fund count toward annual donor levels and are used to determine priority. In a reduced capacity scenario, it is likely the seat premium cost may change and may impact Spartan Fund donor levels. We continue to evaluate the impact of such a scenario and will provide finalized details when available. We thank our donors who continue to invest philanthropically - above and beyond seat premiums - through unrestricted, facility, endowment, and programmatic gifts in support of our student-athletes at a crucial time.
What about MSU student tickets?
We have paused sales of public and student season admissions. In the event of a reduced capacity scenario, we will likely adjust our sales and admission plan for the 2020 season. We appreciate your patience as we work on ways to provide opportunities for MSU students.
What is the best way to ask questions and receive answers?
Please email the Spartan Ticket Office tickets@msu.edu and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. We may not have all the answers at this time, but we will do our best to keep you informed.
Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Stay safe and GO GREEN!
"Many of our Spartan student-athletes have returned to campus and are preparing for the 2020 season. There are still many questions to be asked and answered but we will do our best to keep our season ticket holders informed. The Big Ten Conference and member institutions have been collaborating for several months to develop plans and scenarios for the football season. Our priority is the health and safety of all student-athletes, coaches, staff, working personnel and our supporters and fans. We are working to finalize plans for reduced capacity in Spartan Stadium and will be able to share details once these critical decisions are made. In addition to seating capacity, we will also be addressing parking, tailgating, concessions, and other aspects of the game-day experience.
"We realize that even with incomplete information, some of our loyal supporters may have already determined that it's in their best interest to forgo attending football games in 2020. For those individuals, we have provided options. In doing so, we ask those who are able, consider converting payments made for tickets, seat premiums and parking to a 100% tax-deductible charitable contribution to the Spartan Fund or consider applying payments made to the 2021 season. Doing so will help Spartan Athletics at a most crucial time."
Information from MSU Athletics and the Spartan Ticket Office
Reduced Capacity Plan
We will likely be required to reduce the number of fans attending games at Spartan Stadium. In that event, price adjustments to tickets, seat premiums, and parking are likely, along with ticket quantity reductions. Further information will be communicated when our plan is finalized. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work through this formidable challenge.
General Seating Areas
We are considering a Reserved by Section plan for this season only. Fans would be assigned, in priority order, a reserved section and range of rows in the lower, middle or upper portions of the section. On game day, fans would choose seats within the allocated reserved section and row range to allow them to sit with others in their party while self-distancing from other spectators. It is possible that the section assigned will differ from your 2020 season ticket renewal.
Premium Seating Areas
Reserved seating in premium seating areas including the Sideline Club, Huntington Club, and Huntington Club Suites will be maintained and assigned for appropriate distance from other spectators. In the event of reduced capacity, the number of tickets you receive and/or the number of games that you are provided may be reduced.
Parking & Tailgating
For the health and safety of our guests, we are evaluating parking and tailgating policies for the 2020 season. We may choose to reduce the quantity of parking passes issued, adjust lot opening times, and provide updated tailgating policies. Please note that any changes made will be temporary and will be done in consultation with medical professionals and public safety officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I have already renewed and have paid in full?
No immediate action is necessary. Additional information and options for consideration will be communicated when our plan is finalized.
What if I have placed a deposit but have not paid in full?
No immediate action is necessary. Additional information and options for consideration will be communicated when our plan is finalized.
When will a decision be made about the 2020 season?
We do not have a firm timetable on when a decision will be made regarding the 2020 season. We appreciate your patience and we will communicate as information becomes available.
I have renewed my season tickets but no longer feel comfortable attending. What should I do?
If you have decided not to attend games during the 2020 season, you may convert payments to a charitable donation, apply payments to 2021, or request a refund. Your tickets/seat locations will be released for the 2020 season and held for you for the 2021 season. (The Sideline Club is scheduled for a seat adjustment before the 2021 season. Therefore, Sideline Club members are not guaranteed the same seats in 2021, at this time.) You will maintain your Spartan Points for consecutive years of football season ticket purchasing.
Please reply if you choose one of the following options, if you have not already done so:
Option 1 - Opt-out and Convert to Charitable Contribution
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be converted to a Spartan Fund unrestricted gift (100% tax-deductible) and earn DOUBLE Spartan Points for lifetime giving to athletics (2 points per $100).
Option 2 - Opt-out and Rollover to 2021
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be applied to your 2021 football season renewal.
Option 3 - Opt-out and Refund
Payments for the 2020 football season (tickets, seat premiums, parking pass) will be refunded.
When and how will I get my tickets and parking passes?
We plan to use a combination of printed and mobile tickets for the 2020 season. Parking passes will be printed and mailed to season ticket holders in late August. Given the uncertainty surrounding 2020, we request your patience and understanding that delivery could be later than in a typical year.
How will parking passes be allocated? When is the online parking selection?
Given the uncertainty, the online parking selection process will not take place this year. In the event of reduced capacity, access to parking lots may change. Many of our Big Ten counterparts have transitioned to digital tickets and parking passes to allow flexibility, as well as expedited and contactless delivery. At this time, we plan to use a combination of printed and mobile tickets and parking passes for the 2020 season. We will communicate with our fans any changes to the delivery of tickets and parking passes.
How will MSU handle seat premiums counted toward my Spartan Fund donor level if they are adjusted?
Seat premiums and philanthropic gifts to Spartan Fund count toward annual donor levels and are used to determine priority. In a reduced capacity scenario, it is likely the seat premium cost may change and may impact Spartan Fund donor levels. We continue to evaluate the impact of such a scenario and will provide finalized details when available. We thank our donors who continue to invest philanthropically - above and beyond seat premiums - through unrestricted, facility, endowment, and programmatic gifts in support of our student-athletes at a crucial time.
What about MSU student tickets?
We have paused sales of public and student season admissions. In the event of a reduced capacity scenario, we will likely adjust our sales and admission plan for the 2020 season. We appreciate your patience as we work on ways to provide opportunities for MSU students.
What is the best way to ask questions and receive answers?
Please email the Spartan Ticket Office tickets@msu.edu and we will respond to you as quickly as possible. We may not have all the answers at this time, but we will do our best to keep you informed.
Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding. Stay safe and GO GREEN!
