For many, estate planning includes passing items with sentimental value, whether that’s a classic car, family heirloom, or something tied to a lifelong tradition. For Detroit Lions, University of Michigan, and Michigan State football fans, season tickets may be one of the most meaningful assets to include in an estate plan.
Whether you can transfer football season tickets after death depends on each organization’s policies. Understanding those rules can help season ticket holders plan and avoid unexpected issues for their beneficiaries.
Detroit Lions Season Ticket Transfers
Detroit Lions season ticket accounts may only be transferred with prior approval from the Ford Field ticket office.
Generally, partial transfers or splitting accounts are not approved. Transfers may be made to individuals or businesses. Season ticket holders should contact the ticket office to discuss a proposed transfer.
University of Michigan Football Season Ticket Transfers
The University of Michigan’s official policy generally allows a season ticket account to be transferred to a surviving spouse upon the account holder’s death. In some circumstances, the ticket office may work with other family members.
Lifetime Transfers
For season ticket holders who want to transfer tickets to someone other than a surviving spouse, the university has offered an annual transfer window, historically during November or December.
Important considerations include:
- The transfer is permanent.
- The recipient becomes the new season ticket holder for the transferred tickets.
- Transfer fees vary based on seating location.
- The new season ticket holder assumes future ticket costs and preferred seat contributions and begins accruing priority points after the transfer.
- Parking privileges and existing priority points from the transferring account holder do not transfer to the new account holder.
- Tickets may only be transferred to individuals who are at least 18 years old.
- Premium ticket accounts remain subject to applicable account limits.
Some season ticket holders choose to retain one ticket while transferring the remaining seats to preserve eligibility tied to their existing priority points.
Michigan State Football Season Ticket Transfers
Michigan State season tickets may be transferred only to immediate family members unless the Spartan Fund grants special permission.
Include Season Tickets in Your Estate Plan
Football season tickets often represent years of tradition and family memories. Because transfer policies differ among organizations and change over time, reviewing those rules as part of your estate plan can help ensure your wishes align with available transfer options.
For guidance on incorporating season tickets into your estate plan, contact a member of Varnum’s Estate Planning Practice Team.
