DETROIT, MI (WTAQ-WLUK) – After years of planning, Detroit is just over a week away from hosting the 2024 NFL Draft. Similar preps are underway in Titletown, as Green Bay is hosting the big event in April 2025.
“Over the next really 10 days, which is what it is until the draft, will be full bore ahead and filling all those areas out. The theatrical items really start to move in within the next couple of days and then it’s on for the big event,” said Claude Molinari, CEO of Visit Detroit.
City officials expect to see more than 300,000 football fans take in the three-day event.
According to Molinari, “Detroit has six NFL cities within a four hour drive — Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Chicago — so we’re anticipating that we’re at least going to touch those Kansas City numbers, if not exceed them.”
Over the past several years, Detroit has been going through a revitalization. The draft will help show the city off to not only draft-goers, but the millions of people watching on TV.
The NFL is laying out a draft footprint of about 2-million square feet in the heart of downtown Detroit.
“We wanted a unique Detroit experience, right in the heart of downtown where also all of our restaurants and our attractions and our nightlife would be able to touch it,” said Molinari.
The amphitheater where the draft picks will be announced is about 80% complete. About a quarter of a mile away, the interactive NFL experience area is starting to go up too.
And while hotels in downtown and the suburbs are at a premium, Detroit is ready to welcome football fans from across the league.
“I would suggest parking in some of our suburban lots and taking mass transit in, or taking the people mover, which is the elevated train. There’s also the Q-line. Plan ahead, execute the plan and follow through on it,” said Molinari.
Visit Detroit also encourages fans to download the NFL One Pass app and prepare to have fun and take in all the city and draft has to offer.
Molinari added, “Really excited to be doing this and the atmosphere here in the city is electric. Everyone is just so excited.”
The NFL Draft in Detroit kicks off on April 25.
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