The athletic teams of the University of Michigan make up the Michigan Wolverines. Also known as the Wolverines, they compete in the NCAA Division I tournament and are a member of the Big Ten Conference. However, in the sport of Ice Hockey, the Wolverines compete in the NCAA DI Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The women's Water Polo team also does not compete in the NCAA Division I. Instead, it participates in the NCAA Inter-Divisional Collegiate Water Polo Association.

The football team of the Michigan Wolverines harbors a fierce rivalry with the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Michigan-Ohio State Series is considered to be one of the greatest rivalries in sports. The Wolverines compete in the NCAA Division I-A and has the most all-time wins and the highest all-time winning percentage in NCAA history. The Wolverines have won or shared 42 league titles that in itself is a record among all other teams in any conference.

Michigan Stadium plays host to the Wolverines home games. Also known as The Big House, it is located in Ann Harbor, Michigan. The Big House was constructed in the year 1927, at an estimated cost of $950,000. The Michigan Stadium has a seating capacity for 107,501 people. On November 22nd, 2003 in a game against archrivals Ohio State Buckeyes, the attendance shot up to an all time high of 112,118 fans. The game ended with Michigan pulling an incredible win over Ohio by 35-21.