Get the New Kids Go Blue Club App
8/7/2020 10:15:00 AM | General, Fan Zone, Kids Club
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In response to member feedback, the University of Michigan Athletic Department's 2020-21 Kids Go Blue Club for children in grades eight and below will transition to a subscription-based mobile application. The new app launched today (Friday, Aug. 7) and is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play under the name "Kids Go Blue Club" or at kidsgoblueclub.com.
The new platform has incorporated member input and will provide enhanced benefits including:
- Broader inclusion across the country and the globe (Michigan fans are everywhere!)
- Expanded loyalty program benefits
- More frequent check-in opportunities
- More off-campus engagement
- More frequent communications with our members
- Annual members-only discount to M Den
- And More!
This upgrade will expand the number of check-in opportunities, including chances to earn points from activities that can be completed at home, the ability to check in for every home game, and even select away games (NOTE: We will have from-home check-in capabilities given the uncertainty around fall competitions). Previously, only select home games were available for Club members. The new application also provides a platform for other engagement activities like Michigan trivia, monthly activity pages, reading challenges and more.
In addition, members still receive access to:
- Complimentary & discounted tickets to Olympic sport events
- Presale access to Football, Men's Basketball & Softball tickets
- Exclusive events & contests
- Members-only events
- Loyalty Program participation
Beginning Aug. 7, the Kids Go Blue Club membership will be $6 per child, paid on an annual basis directly through the Kids Go Blue Club app. The price point was reached following a year-long member feedback initiative along with benchmarking of similar programs and allows our athletic department to continue providing engaging Kids Go Blue Club activities.
The new Kids Go Blue Club app ensures the greatest level of inclusion across our global fanbase while providing real-time technological upgrades and notifications for all Michigan Athletic programs.
Fall schedules for many Michigan teams have not been announced yet, but fans are encouraged to download and familiarize themselves with the new app in anticipation of schedule updates.
Who can sign up for the Kids Go Blue Club?
Per NCAA Compliance regulations, kids in eighth grade and younger are eligible to join the Kids Go Blue Club. As members complete the 8th grade, they will automatically graduate from the Kids Go Blue Club.
Do current members need to register for the app?
Yes, all members, both current and new, will need to enroll in the new app version of the Kids Go Blue Club to access existing and expanded member benefits.
Why is there a cost associated with the club?
Since 2015, the Kids Go Blue Club has grown by more than 240 percent. We started planning for club expansion back in 2018, when the Kids Go Blue Club conducted a member survey. In order to address our member feedback and to provide the level of service and inclusion that Michigan Athletics values, some technological updates were necessary. The app will now allow more access, by more of our members, from anywhere!
As we researched a number of different peer club models and benefits, it was important to keep our fees as low as possible, to ensure the greatest level of inclusion across as many of our fans as we could reach.
Is it a one-time fee or an annual fee? Will it automatically renew?
Members can join at any point throughout the year, and enjoy the benefits of membership, including M Den discounts, special events and prizes. When you register, you can opt-in to automatic annual renewal in July. If you do not opt-in for automatic renewal, we will send you a renewal email each July, until the member graduates from the Kids Go Blue Club.
Is it a per-member fee? Or per household?
There is a membership fee for each child registered for the program, to be paid annually.
How will members "graduate?"
Upon graduation from the Kids Go Blue Club, members will receive a certificate acknowledging their dedication to and support of Michigan Athletics. We hope our members will continue to attend events with their families and join us for our annual sport-specific summer camps. Forever, Go Blue!
Are the KGBC Membership cards still required?
No. Unfortunately, the membership cards aren't compatible with the app, so feel free to frame those old membership cards or use them for arts and crafts.
When you register for the app, you will provide information for your child/children. All of your membership information will be contained in the FanMaker app. The app will facilitate loyalty program check-ins and provide additional virtual engagement opportunities, so you could earn loyalty points from your home, or even at away games! Online contests can be communicated more frequently and the app will send push notifications to your phone.
Which events are eligible for Loyalty Program check-in?
The Kids Go Blue Club app will allow us to expand the number of events offered for Loyalty Program check-in points both from home and in person.
Currently, we will offer at-home check in for all home fall events based on limited venue capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions and procedures.
When in-person events resume with expanded or full capacity, all home events (and some away games!) will be available for check-in through the app. The app will replace the old check-in process, where you had to come to our table to receive points.
While all home events will be eligible for Loyalty Program check-in, only featured events will be eligible for complimentary or discounted tickets. We will indicate which events are eligible for complimentary and/or discounted tickets in the monthly newsletters. You can also find additional ticket info in the app under each event.
Which events are eligible for complimentary and discounted tickets, or ticket presale access?
While all home events will be eligible for Loyalty Program check-in, only featured events will be eligible for complimentary or discounted tickets. We will indicate which events are eligible for complimentary and/or discounted tickets in the monthly newsletters and app notifications. You can also find additional ticket info in the app under each event.
Our Kids Go Blue Club ticket policies are outlined below:
- All Kids Go Blue Club members are invited to attend featured events and competitions. The promo codes for special ticket offers or presale access will be delivered through the Kids Club newsletter and app notifications
- Tickets MUST be purchased online through mgoblue.com/tickets prior to the event to receive access to the Kids Club ticket offers.
- There will be NO in-venue/box office redemption of Kids Club ticket offers available.
- Each family can claim up to two (2) complimentary tickets for designated Olympic sport competitions and MUST do so online using the promo code provided. Additional discounted tickets can be purchased at that time online using the same promo code.
- For football, men's basketball, ice hockey and softball, there will be no complimentary tickets. Members will receive either presale access (football) or discounted rates (men's basketball, ice hockey & softball) accessible via promo codes.
- Complimentary and discounted tickets are subject to available ticket inventory, based on event capacity and other COVID-19 related procedures & protocol.
