Crisler Center

Sports are complicated and v. intense.
There’s lot of running and jumping and yelling– and crowds.
For someone like me who is TBH terrified of all of those things going to any sporting event can be borderline traumatic.
Obviously anyone who doesn’t have negative brain cells would consider me moderately insane for deciding to attend University of Michigan given my own neuroses and the atmosphere of the school.
As a fact, I am moderately insane but that is completely independent of my decision to attend a big 10 school given my stance on sportz and big athletic events.
So, it might be weird that first of all, I went to the Crisler Center and secondly, I’m deciding to review it but it’s not even five and I’ve done literally three different things that are infinitely weirder than this and besides, I went with my family to a basketball game. You understand.
Also, if you’re like me and insist on being dressed in head to M gear at all times or maybe just in the three M items you own the one time you attend a Michigan basketball game, it’s really important to have multiple licensed M gear retailers in the stadium be able to «reboot» your swag in between breaks. This is very important to who I am as a person and I am forever grateful that whoever suggested to insert multiple M Dens here was supported in their idea. Go blue!
My most favorite thing about the Crisler Center (besides the B-​ball of course, most obvi) was the popped maize that my mommy purchased for me at one of 643 food outposts. I tugged at her purse bc I wanted it and ate half and my stomach hurt but overall cannot say enough good things about this tasty snack.
Also, FYI, you might want to know, going to basketball here is pretty fun. The good news is that I didn’t get hit with the ball but the bad news is that Rihanna wasn’t there. Oh, and Michigan is okay at basketball too.
Honestly, there isn’t much else to say except don’t go here alone. As someone who goes a lot of places alone and isn’t judgmental of people who go places alone I would be judgmental of someone who was here alone.
There is parking at the high school if you have a car and are allowed to drive but it costs money just so you know.

Beautiful! Hail to the victors! This place is amazing for a college basketball experience.

I went here because the team I root for was in town (last season) to play Michigan, and they don’t play each other that much. I got invited by a rabid Michigan fan who has season tickets.
No problems getting in or out, and even though I was wearing the opposing teams gear not one fan started busting my chops. They were all quite friendly.
The best part is that there doesn’t seem to be a bad seat in the place. I would recommend if you enjoy college basketball.

Great improvements inside over three years ago; parking it still an issue.

Great place to watch a game and grab some grub. No bad seat in this house. Easy in and out. Love this place

Great College basketball atmosphere! Crisler Arena recent upgrades and expansion make Crisler Center a premier college basketball venue!

The new upgrades are awesome. The old place was cold and felt like a concrete jungle. The upgrades make it warm and comfortable. It is worth visiting even if there is no game. Don’t miss the «M» waterfall. Beautiful. They offer a kid zone with baskets and other stuff for kids to do. The food has been upgraded too. More variety. All of the trophies are displayed nicely with a tribute to Cazzie Russell. Escalators were added and new colorful seating. The one flaw they could not change was the cramped seats. I am a 5’9″ female and my knees push against the seat in front if me. They have made this place fun with added events too.

This arena is an amazing upgrade over the facilities and while I could discuss the many improvements, I only use Unilocal to talk about the food.
I usually don’t eat at sporting events but I was in a rush and therefore had no choice. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was the volunteer waitstaff very attentive and friendly, the food was great.
I ordered a Reuben panini — a sporting event first and it was delicious. In fact, it was much better than Arby’s and other places where I have had similar sandwiches recently.
The sandwich was served with salt and pepper chips which were pretty salty but good at the same time. It cost $ 7 or so, which is not bad for a stadium. I also ate a Skittle that evening at the arena from a nearby fan who threw it to me. Similarly, it was tasty.

You have to check out the new Crisler Center if you have not yet had the chance. The rennovations are great and it is a great place to watch BBALL. AND… it is great with a good UofM team to cheer for! Go Blue!

As Michigan Stadium has morphed into The Big House, so Crisler Arena has become Crisler Center. I like the renovations. There’s a «club level» now that I don’t know much about, but even if you spend time walking around like I did, it’s not particularly prominent, and therefore feels less elitist than the new suites at the football stadium. There’s much to like: modern restrooms with water-​conserving fixtures, refreshments seating area, MDen location to do some shopping, and limited but very good quality trophy and memorabilia displays.

Since it’s time for March Madness, I thought a review of Crisler Center is in order. This facility used to be called Crisler Arena before renovations and additions began the past year or so. There are more offices and areas aside from the main arena which is why I think umich is changing the name to center — to be all inclusive of its offerings.
The recent renovation to the inside of the arena makes watching a basketball game or other event much more enjoyable. It is cleaner, brighter, seats are about the same comfort but they are new and not old stained ones from the 70s.
The new scoreboard is great and there is a lot going on with many screens and tiers. The sound is hit or miss but you can usually make out what the announcer is saying. A few tweaks and I think it could be great.
The concessions are still not outstanding. Strangely cooked hot dogs and hit and miss quality for other foods doesn’t rank this high for an idea of ‘let’s get dinner at the basketball game!’.
It will fill you up and when it’s done right can be a good addition to watching any event.
They have begun renovating the outer concourse and will be installing new concession areas, new restrooms, new displays and new things to do. If this is done right, I would probably up my rating to 5 stars but for now, it still has a couple of areas to improve. Go Blue!