Michigan Reveals Star-Studded Lineup For First Concert At The Big House In Its Nearly 100-Year History

The University of Michigan boasts the third-largest stadium on the planet, and while it’s been home to some sporting events aside from college football games over the years, it’s never been used for a concert. However, that’s about to change now that the university has unveiled the big names that will take the stage when it hosts its first one later this year.

It’s been close to 100 years since the Michigan Wolverines played their first game at the college football stadium aptly known as “The Big House,” which could accommodate a whopping 72,000 fans when it opened for business all the way back in 1927.

That number has slowly but surely grown in the ensuing decades due to a string of close to a dozen renovations that have increased capacity while helping to firm up the team’s imposing home firm advantage; as of 2015, Michigan Stadium can accommodate 107,601 (it peaked at 109,901 prior to that slight downsizing) and has the distinction of being not only the biggest stadium in the United States but the entire Western Hemisphere.

With the exception of the game between Tennessee and Virginia Tech that was held at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2016 (an event that attracted 156,990 spectators), The Big House has been the site of the top 25 most-attended games in college football history;  the 115,109 people who packed inside it to watch Michigan beat Notre Dame in 2013 marks the high point.

The venue has also hosted a handful of hockey games (including the Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs in 2014) and a few showdowns featuring some of the best soccer teams Europe has to offer. However, it’s never been the site of a concert—until now.

On Wednesday, the university announced country music star Zach Bryan will be headlining a show that will take place at Michigan Stadium on September 27th with a supporting cast that includes John Mayer, Ryan Bingham and The Texas Gentlemen, and Joshua Slone (tickets will go on sale on Friday).

The Wolverines have a bye week on the Saturday when the concert will be held. However, they will be hosting Wisconsin for a Big Ten matchup the following week, and while the field should have plenty of time to recover, that is a potential issue worth keeping an eye on.