Michigan State played at Detroit’s Ford Field during the 2023 season with a special Black Friday contest against Penn State. On Wednesday, the Spartans confirmed they will be back at the home of the Lions to end the 2025 regular season.

That contest is slated for Saturday, Nov. 29 to cap Thanksgiving Weekend. Michigan State will avoid the Black Friday date with a Saturday kickoff against Maryland (time still TBA).

According to MSU’s press release, it will be a part of an extended week at Ford Field with the Lions playing their traditional home game on Thanksgiving Day. Michigan High School Athletic Association teams will also be in action at Ford Field on Friday and Sunday.

“Playing at Ford Field is an exciting opportunity for Spartan football,” said MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller via statement. “The 2023 game proved that this can be a successful and enjoyable venture. I heard from fans, donors, students, and media, all of whom universally raved about their experience at Ford Field. We witnessed what the Detroit Lions experience every game, that Ford Field can be a tremendous home field advantage. Our student-athletes dream of playing in the NFL and to have the opportunity to play in that stadium is a thrill for them as well.

“Michigan State University has a strong connection with the city of Detroit, and our teams have repeatedly experienced an outpouring of support in the 313. Spartan fans fill the venue and wear their Green and White with pride throughout the streets of Detroit.”

Haller also thanked the MHSAA for an “ongoing partnership” and a willingness to shift their weekend schedule to accommodate the home game for MSU.

“Playing at Ford Field is an exciting way to close out the regular season,” said MSU head football coach Jonathan Smith. “We will have an opportunity to play in one of the best venues in the NFL in front of our fans, which will create a great atmosphere and a home field advantage for our players.”

The first regularly scheduled game MSU played at Ford Field came in the 2023 season when the season finale vs. Penn State was moved to a Black Friday kickoff in primetime. Unfortunately, the Spartans were blown out, 42-0, in that contest. MSU also faced FAU at Ford Field in 2010, though FAU still controlled the rights to that contest as a home game.

As Smith gears up for his 2nd season with the Spartans, MSU’s win total for the 2025 season has been set at 5.5 per FanDuel. Fans can grab the latest odds and get in on the action for that number with the Michigan online sports betting links and apps.

We’ll see how this trip to Ford Field works out for the program.