Michigan State football is moving its 2025 season finale to Ford Field in Detroit, the program announced on Wednesday. The contest is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 29, and kickoff time for the game will be announced at a later date.
This marks the second time in three seasons that MSU will move its season finale from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing to Ford Field in Detroit, as the Spartans also did so in 2023 against Penn State (a 42-0 loss). The attendance for that game was listed at 51,927.
The game between the Spartans and Terrapins is part of an extended weekend of football at Ford Field, which also includes the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game on Thursday and the MHSAA (Michigan High School Athletic Association) State Championship games on Friday and Sunday.
“Playing at Ford Field is an exciting opportunity for Spartan football,” MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller said in a statement. “The 2023 game proved that this can be a successful and enjoyable venture. I heard from fans, donors, students and media, all of whom universally raved about their experience at Ford Field. We witnessed what the Detroit Lions experience every game, that Ford Field can be a tremendous home field advantage. Our student-athletes dream of playing in the NFL and to have the opportunity to play in that stadium is a thrill for them as well.
“Michigan State University has a strong connection with the city of Detroit, and our teams have repeatedly experienced an outpouring of support in the 313. Spartan fans fill the venue and wear their Green and White with pride throughout the streets of Detroit.
“We are very thankful for Ford Field and the Detroit Lions, and all their work to host this game. Beyond that, we’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with the MHSAA and their accommodations in shifting their weekend schedule. Together, we’re able to provide a great four-day weekend of football in a terrific setting.”
Michigan State fans will have the opportunity to get tickets in the near future. Spartan Fund donors and football season ticket holders will have the chance to purchase tickets in Spartan Fund donor priority order. Additionally, there will be designated sections in the lower bowl for MSU students, with priority going to 2025 student season pass holders. The contest between Maryland and Michigan State at Ford Field on Nov. 29 will be sold as a standalone contest, with details, including on-sale dates, to be announced at a later date.
“Playing at Ford Field is an exciting way to close out the regular season,” Michigan State head football coach Jonathan Smith said. “We will have an opportunity to play in one of the best venues in the NFL in front of our fans, which will create a great atmosphere and a home field advantage for our players.
“We are looking forward to playing in Detroit, a city that means so much to our program and university.”
The Spartans will now play six games at Spartan Stadium in 2025: Western Michigan to begin the season on Aug. 30, Boston College on Sept. 6, Youngstown State on Sept. 13, UCLA on Oct. 11, Michigan on Oct. 25 and Penn State on Nov. 15.
Michigan State will also play five road games during the 2025 campaign: USC on Sept. 20, Nebraska on Oct. 4, Indiana on Oct. 18, Minnesota on Nov. 1 and Iowa on Nov. 22.
There are many Spartan fans and alumni who live in the metro Detroit area, according to Michigan State. MSU approximates that of the 300,000 living MSU alumni in the state of Michigan, roughly one-third of them are from Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties. Additionally, the school says that 49% of the current undergraduate population who live in Michigan (more than 18,000) are from those three counties as well. Of note, the game falls over the holiday break for Michigan State students when many of them will be back home.
This is the third time the Michigan State football program will compete at Ford Field overall. In addition to the aforementioned 2023 contest against Penn State, MSU played Florida Atlantic in 2010, due to FAU moving its home game to Michigan, while still controlling ticket sales and marketing of the contest.
Michigan State Athletics has a strong presence in Detroit. The Michigan State men’s basketball team has played at Little Caesars Arena in four of the last five non-COVID-19 seasons, while the hockey program has played in Detroit at least once per year since the 1979-1980 season (not including the COVID 2020-2021 season).
"We are excited to welcome Michigan State Football back into Ford Field for another Spartan season finale," Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood said. "Thanksgiving and football have been a staple in Detroit for the past 91 years and this year will be a true celebration of the game at every level. It is an honor to connect all levels of the game by kicking off the weekend with the Lions and featuring the Big Ten and MHSAA State Championships throughout an amazing four days of football.”
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