Overview
- The university announced the Western Michigan game will be played at Michigan Stadium on Sept. 5, 2026.
- Michigan had explored a Week 0 matchup on Aug. 29 at Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank Park in partnership with Eintracht Frankfurt.
- Athletic director Warde Manuel said a thorough evaluation drove the decision and noted the school remains open to future international games.
- Reporting points to financial pressures tied to NCAA penalties, new revenue-sharing costs, logistical complexity, and head coach Sherrone Moore’s Week 1 suspension as factors in the choice.
- Some outlets noted strong fan opposition on social media, though the school did not cite fan sentiment in its announcement.