It’s called ‘The Big House’ for a reason
If you are looking for the giant among stadiums, you need not look another way. Michigan Stadium nicknamed “The Big House,” is all you need to know. It has a capacity exceeding 107,000 and holds more fans than any other stadium in the United States. But here’s the kicker: its massive size even eclipses some of the world’s iconic landmarks and natural features.
Don’t believe us? Well, you better keep scrolling to see the 10 famous places that are surprisingly smaller than The Big House.
Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy
Yes, even the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa could be dwarfed by Michigan Stadium. While it’s a marvel of architecture, this Italian landmark is far from the “giant” many imagine.
Comparing it to the Big House — it is the third-largest stadium in the world, spanning over 1,300 feet in length. It also covers an area of more than 16 acres. How cool is that?
Hollywood Sign, California
The Hollywood Sign overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles sprawls across Mount Lee, but did you know that it measures only 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall for each letter? Let’s compare that to the huge jumbotrons installed in the Michigan Stadium before the 2023 season. These new video boards measure 179 feet wide and 62 feet high. Even if it’s not as wide as the Hollywood sign, it’s still much taller. Crazy, right?
The Statue of Liberty’s Pedestal, New York
Okay, while the Statue of Liberty herself is colossal, her pedestal measures just 154 feet tall (47 meters). Michigan Stadium would easily engulf this portion of the iconic landmark.
Tower Bridge, London
London’s iconic Tower Bridge stands 213 feet (65 meters) at its highest point, and 940 feet in length. Michigan Stadium could accommodate its structure with ease—and then some. After all, the iconic landmark of sports that spans 1,300 feet in length also used to gather a crowd of over 115,000 back in 2013 for a match between the Wolverines and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This could easily fit.
Gateway Arch Base, St. Louis
Though the Gateway Arch towers at 630 feet (192 meters), its base for the cross-sections of the arch’s legs measures only 54 feet (16.5 meters) across. Michigan Stadium’s footprint is far larger.
Alamo, Texas
The historic Alamo spans just 4.2 acres, while Michigan Stadium covers over 16 acres. In this match-up, the stadium is a clear winner.
There was an estimated 106,000,000 blades of grass that make up the Michigan Stadium during the dedication game in 1927. Today, the field returned to the artifical surface in 2003.
Uluru’s Aboveground Profile, Australia
The Uluru (Ayers Rock) extends deep underground and it is stunning beyond words. However, its visible profile measures about 1,142 feet (348 meters) above the desert. Michigan Stadium’s sheer volume competes with this ancient landmark. This is what helped it get record-breaking attendance numbers, as well as iconic game-day experiences for the past years.
Blarney Castle, Ireland
Blarney Castle, home to the legendary Blarney Stone, is just 90 feet (27.4 meters) tall. While it’s steeped in history, the castle could comfortably fit inside The Big House.
Speaking of history — did you know that the Michigan Stadium has one extra seat at the end of the stadium’s capacity? The tradition to leave this seat open started in 1956 in honor of the long-time athletic director, Fritz Crisler.
The Shard’s Viewing Gallery, London
The Shard itself is undoubtedly massive, but its public viewing gallery sits at just 800 feet (244 meters) above sea level. In terms of ground-level scale, Michigan Stadium’s capacity and size remain unmatched.
Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park is famous for its eruptions, but the geyser itself is relatively modest, standing just a few feet tall between eruptions. Even its average spray height of 145 feet (44 meters) pales in comparison to the stadium’s size.
Michigan Stadium outshines many iconic places with its immense size
Whether you’re cheering for the Wolverines or marveling at architectural feats, The Big House reminds us that scale is everything.
Speaking of scale, can you believe that this Michigan island banned the use of cars forever?
The post You Won’t Believe That These 10 Famous Places Are Surprisingly Smaller Than Michigan Stadium appeared first on When In Your State.
