From Sporting Events to Concerts: These Are Michigan’s Top 10 Seating Capacity Venues

You ever have an argument with someone and you both run to Google to find out who was right?

Well, that happened to me Thursday morning with my Co-Host Laura Hardy.

We were talking about different concert venues around Grand Rapids when she asked what was the capacity of the Van Andel Arena.

I confidently told her it was probably around 20,000-25,000 people and wow was I off by a lot.

If you're wondering about the capacity of the Van Andel Arena I share the answer with you below.

From Sporting Events to Concerts: These Are Michigan's Top 10 Seating Capacity Venues

10. Kellogg Arena (Battle Creek) - Capacity: 5,400 for basketball and 6,200 for concerts

Kellogg Arena was named after the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which provided funds for its construction.

Kellogg Arena was opened in 1980 and has since been a popular venue for various events, including concerts, sports games, trade shows, and conventions. The arena has a seating capacity of up to 6,200 people and features modern facilities such as high-quality sound and lighting systems.

Over the years, Kellogg Arena has hosted numerous notable events, including the Michigan High School Athletic Association's state wrestling tournament, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national wrestling championships, and the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) national wheelchair tennis championships.

In addition to sports events, Kellogg Arena has also hosted concerts by world-renowned musicians such as Bob Dylan, Elton John, and Aerosmith. The arena has also been used for political rallies, including visits by Presidents Bill Clinton, President Barack Obama, and President Donald Trump.

9. Dow Diamond (Midland) - Capacity: 5,200 for baseball

Dow Diamond is a baseball stadium located in Midland, Michigan, and is the home field of the Great Lakes Loons, a Class A minor league baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The stadium was built in 2006, with construction costs of approximately $33 million. It was named after the Dow Chemical Company, which is headquartered in Midland and contributed $10 million to the stadium's construction.

The first game at Dow Diamond was played on April 13, 2007, and featured the Great Lakes Loons playing against the Lansing Lugnuts. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 5,500 fans and includes several amenities such as luxury suites, a video board, and a grass seating berm in the outfield.

8. LMCU Ballpark (Comstock Park) - Capacity: 10,521 for baseball

LMCU Ballpark, formerly known as Fifth Third Ballpark, is a baseball stadium located in Comstock Park, Michigan. It is home to the West Michigan Whitecaps, a minor-league baseball team affiliated with the Detroit Tigers.

The stadium was originally built in 1994 and underwent a major renovation in 2002. In January 2014, a fire destroyed much of the first base side of the stadium, causing significant damage to the facility. However, the Whitecaps were able to rebuild and reopen the stadium for the 2015 season.

In 2021, the stadium was renamed LMCU Ballpark after Lake Michigan Credit Union acquired the naming rights. The ballpark features a seating capacity of over 8,000, including luxury suites and party decks,

7. Van Andel Arena (Grand Rapids) - Capacity: 11,000 for concerts and hockey

Van Andel Arena was opened on October 8, 1996, with a concert by musician Bob Seger. The arena was named after Jay and Betty Van Andel, who were the founders of Amway, a multi-level marketing company headquartered in Grand Rapids.

The arena was built at a cost of $75 million and has a seating capacity of approximately 12,000 for concerts, 10,834 for ice hockey games, and 11,000 for basketball games. It has hosted a variety of events over the years, including concerts, sporting events, and family shows.

In addition to being the home of the Grand Rapids Griffins, an American Hockey League team, the arena has also hosted several NCAA hockey tournaments and the 2000 Turner Cup Finals. It has also hosted NCAA basketball games, the Michigan High School Athletic Association basketball finals, and the 2007 NBA D-League Finals.

The arena has undergone several renovations over the years, including the addition of new luxury suites and a high-definition video scoreboard. It remains a popular venue for events in the Grand Rapids area and has been recognized as one of the top venues in the country by Pollstar magazine.

6. Crisler Center (Ann Arbor) - Capacity: 12,707 for basketball

The Crisler Center is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. It was named after Herbert O. "Fritz" Crisler, who served as the head football coach at the university from 1938 to 1947 and as the athletic director from 1941 to 1968.

The Crisler Center was opened in 1967 as the home of the University of Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team. It has a seating capacity of 12,707 and has hosted numerous other events, including concerts, commencements, and other athletic events.

Over the years, the Crisler Center has undergone several renovations and upgrades to modernize the facility and improve the fan experience. In 2012, the arena underwent a $52 million renovation that included new seating, scoreboards, lighting, and sound systems. The renovation also included the addition of new practice facilities and offices for the basketball and wrestling teams.

5. Breslin Center (East Lansing) - Capacity: 14,759 for basketball

The Jack Breslin Student Events Center, commonly known as the Breslin Center, is a multi-purpose arena located on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The arena is primarily used for basketball and volleyball games, as well as concerts and other events.

The Breslin Center opened in 1989 and was named after Jack Breslin, a former Michigan State University athletic director who played a key role in the development of the arena. The first event held at the Breslin Center was a basketball game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan.

Over the years, the Breslin Center has undergone several renovations and expansions to improve its facilities and increase its seating capacity. In 2012, a $50 million renovation project was completed that included new locker rooms, training facilities, and a state-of-the-art scoreboard.

The Breslin Center has a seating capacity of 14,759 for basketball games and 15,000 for concerts. The arena also features several amenities, including a Tom Izzo Hall of History that honors the accomplishments of Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo.

The Breslin Center has hosted several notable events over the years, including NCAA basketball tournament games, the Michigan High School Athletic Association boys and girls basketball state championships, and numerous concerts featuring some of the biggest names in music.

4. Little Caesars Arena (Detroit) - Capacity: 20,491 for basketball / 19,515 for hockey

Little Caesars Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. The arena is home to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association.

Construction on the arena began in 2015 and was completed in 2017 at a cost of $863 million. Little Caesars Arena replaced Joe Louis Arena, which had been the Red Wings' home arena since 1979.

The arena was designed by architectural firms HOK and Chan Krieger NBBJ, and features a unique "deconstructed" design that separates the seating bowl from the concourse and other amenities.

Little Caesars Arena has a seating capacity of 20,000 for basketball games and 19,515 for hockey games. The arena also features several restaurants, bars, and other amenities, including a practice facility for the Red Wings and Pistons.

In addition to being the home of the Red Wings and Pistons, Little Caesars Arena has hosted several notable events since its opening, including the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament and the 2020 Democratic Presidential Debates.

3. Spartan Stadium (East Lansing) - Capacity: 75,005

Spartan Stadium is a football stadium located on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. The stadium opened in 1923 and has been the home of the Michigan State Spartans football team ever since.

Over the years, Spartan Stadium has undergone several renovations and expansions to increase its capacity and modernize its facilities. The first major renovation came in 1957, when the stadium's seating capacity was increased to 76,000.

In 1994, the stadium underwent another major renovation that included the addition of luxury boxes, new scoreboards, and an expanded press box. The capacity was reduced to 72,000 as a result of these renovations.

In 2005, the stadium's playing surface was replaced with FieldTurf, a synthetic turf that provides a more durable and consistent playing surface than natural grass.

Spartan Stadium has hosted several notable events over the years, including the 1954 College All-Star Game, the 1984 Summer Olympics soccer competition, and numerous high school football state championship games.

2. Ford Field (Detroit) - Capacity: 65,000

Ford Field is a multi-purpose indoor stadium located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It is the home stadium of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) and has a seating capacity of 65,000 spectators for football games.

The construction of Ford Field began in 1999 and was completed in 2002. It was built at a cost of approximately $430 million, with $70 million of that amount coming from public funds. The stadium was designed by the architectural firm NBBJ and features a unique retractable roof that can be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions.

Ford Field hosted its first event, a concert by the Rolling Stones, on November 22, 2002. The stadium's first football game was played on August 24, 2002, when the Detroit Lions played a pre-season game against the New England Patriots.

Since its opening, Ford Field has hosted a variety of events, including concerts, college basketball games, and monster truck shows. It has also been the site of several major sporting events, including Super Bowl XL in 2006 and the NCAA Final Four in 2009.

1. Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor) - Capacity: 107,601

Michigan Stadium, also known as "The Big House," is located on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It is the largest stadium in the United States and the second-largest stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 107,601.

The stadium was constructed in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and was originally designed to hold 72,000 spectators. The first game was played on October 1, 1927, with the Michigan Wolverines defeating the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops 33-0. The stadium was expanded in 1949, 1956, 1992, and 2010, with the latest renovation bringing the current capacity to its current size.

Michigan Stadium has been the site of many historic sporting events, including numerous Michigan Wolverines football games, as well as international soccer matches, NHL Winter Classic, and concerts. It has also hosted two NHL Winter Classics, in 2014 and 2020.

The stadium has become an iconic symbol of college football and is widely considered to be one of the most impressive sports venues in the world. Its unique design and massive size make it a popular destination for sports fans and visitors to Ann Arbor alike.

It's worth noting that these capacities are subject to change, as some venues may have different configurations for different events.