In Person: Ticket Central in Events Center Atrium • Phone: 1-888-FIRE-UP2 (347-3872)
Important Links
Directions (Google maps) • Photo Gallery
Kelly/Shorts Stadium, named the best stadium in the MAC by The Sporting News, has undergone a multitude of upgrades and renovations since 2004, elevating it to one of the premier facilities of its size to enjoy college football.
Beginning in 2004 with the FieldTurf installation, and continuing with stadium lighting in 2006 and a video scoreboard in 2007, Kelly/Shorts Stadium has undergone a transformation and now affords fans and student-athletes the amenities consistent with other premier facilities across the country. Aesthetic improvements were also made prior to the 2009 season to both the concourse and surrounding buildings, as well as the construction of the Chippewas Varsity Shop at the northwest corner of the stadium.
The stadium's seating capacity was expanded in 1998 to its current capacity of 30,255. It is the largest on-campus stadium in the Mid-American Conference and has hosted the most or second-most fans in the MAC in three of the past four seasons, dating back to 2008.
The west side of the stadium features a two-tiered press box. Nine guest suites and select club-level seating comprise the lower deck, while the upper deck serves the media. Coaches' booths and game operations are also on this level.
Originally a $2.2 million project and named Perry Shorts Stadium in honor of R. Perry Shorts, who went on to a distinguished banking career after graduating from CMU, the stadium was dedicated on November 4, 1972, when the Chippewas defeated Illinois State, 28-21, before a Homecoming crowd.
In June 1983, the CMU Board of Trustees voted to rename the facility Kelly/Shorts Stadium in honor of Kenneth (Bill) Kelly, who coached CMU from 1951-66.
Opened: November 4, 1972
Capacity: 30,255
Surface: FieldTurf
First Event: November 4, 1972 vs. Illinois State (W, 28-21)
Premium Seat Offerings
♦ Nine luxury suites
Club Level Amenities
♦ Premium chairback seating
♦ VIP parking
♦ Clublounge
♦ Max & Emily's concessions
♦ Private restrooms
♦ Seats located directly in front of suites
Other Features
♦ 3,200-square-foot video scoreboard
♦ On-site locker room and players' lounge
♦ On-site training room, meeting rooms and film stations
♦ Underground tunnel connecting the Indoor Athletic Complex turf practice facility and locker room
♦ Stadium lights
Accessibility
♦ Open-captioning system
♦ Elevator access to all floors
♦ Wheelchair/companion seating
♦ Service animal friendly
Clear Bag Policy:
Central Michigan has instituting a clear bag policy for the upcoming football season.
Fans should take note of these guidelines when visiting Kelly/Shorts Stadium this fall for football games.
- Permissible / Approved Bags
- Clear, plastic, vinyl or PVC bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
- Logo should not exceed 4.5" x 3.4" and can be displayed on one side of the permissible bag
- One-gallon clear plastic zip storage/freezer bag (i.e. Ziploc, Hefty, or similar)
- Small purses or clutch bags (with or without handles) no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"
- Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:
- Camera bags
- Binocular cased
- Computer bags
- Luggage
- Coolers
- Backpacks/cinch/drawstring bags
- Fanny Packs
- Purses or clutch bags larger than dimensions listed above
- Tinted or patterned plastic bags
- Personal seatbacks
- Exceptions to Clear Bag policy
- Medical bags or necessary medical equipment (Oxygen tanks, Oxygen concentrator, etc.)
- Personal medical equipment (Oxygen tanks, Concentrator, etc.)
- Diaper bag, stroller (with a small child)
All exceptions to policy still require proper inspection by security at the gate before entry. CMU reserves the right to inspect any item at any time. CMU is not responsible for any items left at the gate or in the stadium.
Permitted Items:
The following items may be brought into the stadium:
- One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag not to exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
- One hand bag no larger than 4.5" x 6.5"
- Seat cushions with no seatback
- Binoculars
- Cell phones
- Small non-professional cameras and radios
- Blankets and rain apparel
- Signs
Prohibited Items:
For the safety and game day experience of all fans, the following items are prohibited from entering the stadium:
- Non-clear bags larger than 4.5" x 6.5"
- Camera bag
- Binocular case
- Computer bag
- Luggage
- Backpacks
- Fanny Packs
- Personal Seatbacks
- Outside food and drink including bottled water
- Aerosol and spray cans
- Weapons
- Umbrellas regardless of size
- Animals (exception of service animals)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Coolers, thermoses, cups, bottles, cans or flasks
- Artificial noisemakers
- Smoking in the stadium
- Signs on poles that block the view of other fans or stadium advertisement
