Michigan Stadium capacity reduced to 107,601

Michigan Stadium is still the Big House. It's just a bit smaller.

The University of Michigan announced today that the iconic stadium's capacity will be reduced this season to 107,601, a loss of 2,300 seats due to re-configuring for non-football events and compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. The capacity was previously 109,901.

The new stadium capacity is still tops in the nation, ahead of second-place Penn State's Beaver Stadium, which is listed at 106,572.

The ADA compliance came as hand railings were installed in the entire bowl, except the student section.

“Our facilities group has done a phenomenal job in increasing the accessibility of Michigan Stadium while minimizing the reduction in seat locations,” Kurt Svoboda, Associate Athletic Director for External Communications and Public Relations said in a released statement. “These shifts have taken place over several seasons; each adjustment causes a ripple effect in seating due to the large number of season ticket holders at U-M. We are incredibly thankful to the response of fans who have been affected by changes in seat locations.”

U-M averaged just 104,909 fans last season losing the attendance title for just the second time since 1974. U-M's numbers will rebound this year as two weeks ago the school announced all but 4,000 seats were sold for the entire season.

The Stadium has adjusted its number through a few renovations, opening with 72,000 seats. The big capacity leaps came to 97,239 with steel bleachers in 1949, then 101,701 in 1973 and 107,501 with the 1998 renovation. Tennessee had passed U-M in capacity during that renovation. The number fell during the late 2000s renovation when Penn State passed U-M and then increased to 109,901 after the renovation with the luxury boxes was completed in 2010.

Contact Mark Snyder: msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark__snyder.