Michigan will not have spring game or practices open to public

The Michigan Wolverines have been preparing for the 2021 season with spring practices, which is a luxury that was not afforded to them last offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccines are being rolled out and the state of Michigan has loosened restrictions on outdoor gatherings. Is there a chance at an open practice or spring game to fans?

It appears not.

The Big Ten announced Wednesday that attendance at spring competitions and events would be allowed under state and local guidelines. Michigan will not be taking that as an opportunity to showcase its new look to the fanbase this spring.

“We are not planning to have a final practice open to the public due to attendance limitations at events in the state of Michigan,” U-M football’s Dave Ablauf told the Detroit News. “We will allow a small number of the players’ families to attend our final practice that meets health and safety guidelines.”

Michigan has done open practices in the past during fall camp, but it seems likely the first time we see the Wolverines on the field is during their Sept. 4 opener against Western Michigan.