Crisler Center
Crisler Center, known as “The House that Cazzie Built”, is a basketball arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, home of the Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten, NCAA Division I). It opened in 1967, making it 59 years old in 2026 and seats 12,707 for basketball. It ranks 13th of 18 in the Big Ten by capacity.
The closest NBA arena is Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, about 35 miles away.
Arena facts
- Location
- Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Home of
- Michigan Wolverines
- School
- University of Michigan
- Conference
- Big Ten
- Opened
- 1967
- Capacity
- 12,707
- Nickname
- The House that Cazzie Built
- Former names
- University Events Building (1967–1970)
Crisler Arena (1970–2011) - Also home to
- Michigan women's basketball
Michigan women's gymnastics - Size rank in D-I
- 47th of 360
Famous games at Crisler Center
- Dec. 2, 1967: Kentucky won the arena's first game 96-79, and Rudy Tomjanovich's 27 rebounds for Michigan remain the building record.
- Dec. 14, 2013: No. 1 Arizona held off Michigan 72-70 in a marquee nonconference game.
- Feb. 23, 2014: Michigan beat No. 13 Michigan State 79-70 on the way to an outright Big Ten title.
- March 8, 2014: Michigan closed its Big Ten championship regular season with an 84-80 home win over Indiana.
Seating & views at Crisler Center
Crisler seats 12,707 for basketball in a column-free bowl built so every seat had a clear view of the court. Two renovations in 2011 and 2012 replaced every seat and added premium seating, a private club and a new grand entrance. Courtside seats run along one sideline, and the Maize Rage student section stands in bleachers on the east side.
Parking & tailgating at Crisler Center
Crisler sits on Stadium Boulevard next to Michigan Stadium, so basketball uses the football lots. The Blue, Maize and Crisler ADA lots are permit-only. Public parking is in the Green Lot at the U-M Golf Course and in lots SC2, SC32, SC35 and SC36 along Keech and Hoover, all credit card only. Pioneer High School is the one lot you can prepay online. Regular U-M permits aren't valid for games, and Crisler has a no-bag policy.
Plan your trip to Crisler Center
Arenas near Crisler Center10
- 1D-IGeorge Gervin GameAbove Center — Eastern Michigan Eagles 9 mi
- 2NBALittle Caesars Arena — Detroit Pistons 35 mi
- 3D-ICalihan Hall — Detroit Mercy Titans 35 mi
- 4G LeagueWayne State Fieldhouse — Motor City Cruise 36 mi
- 5D-ISavage Arena — Toledo Rockets 43 mi
- 6D-IOU Credit Union O'rena — Oakland Golden Grizzlies 43 mi
- 7D-IBreslin Student Events Center — Michigan State Spartans 48 mi
- 8D-IStroh Center — Bowling Green Falcons 62 mi
- 9D-IUniversity Arena — Western Michigan Broncos 92 mi
- 10D-IHilliard Gates Sports Center — Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons 106 mi
Questions about Crisler Center
Where do the Michigan Wolverines play home games?
The Michigan Wolverines play at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
How many people does Crisler Center hold?
Crisler Center seats 12,707 for basketball.
When did Crisler Center open?
Crisler Center opened in 1967.
What is Crisler Center’s nickname?
Crisler Center is known as “The House that Cazzie Built.”
What other arenas are near Crisler Center?
George Gervin GameAbove Center in Ypsilanti is about 9 miles away. See the full list of nearby arenas on this page.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your arena? Get the “Listed on Hoops Arenas” badge for your website.