Monday was a big day for sports fans in Detroit — the NFL announced the 2024 draft will take place in Detroit, and the Lions will be featured this summer on HBO’s long-running reality series “Hard Knocks.”
In all the excitement, it’s easy to miss the details.
The NFL draft in Detroit may not be for another two years, but it’s never too early to start planning.
All your questions about the 2024 draft, answered:
Where is the 2024 NFL draft?
Detroit!
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The specific dates have not been released, but the NFL draft is typically at the end of April.
Why is the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit?
Hosting the NFL draft is a big deal. Hundreds of thousands will be in the city, watching live, and millions more will watch from home. It will surely create a large economic impact.
The draft used to be centrally located in New York every year, but has been a traveling show since 2015.
Lots of cities vie for the draft each year, and it was previously reported that Detroit, Green Bay and Washington were the three finalists for the 2024 event.
After a vote by NFL owners, Detroit came out on top.
“Our proposal … was very strong,” said Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp, who is on the NFL’s Super Bowl and Major Events advisory committee, which oversees the bidding process for events like the draft. “I think we really proved to the league that we would put on a great show and how important it is to our city, it’s hugely important, and to our fans. And I think those were some of the big selling points.”
Where exactly in Detroit will the NFL draft take place?
Detroit Lions president Rod Wood said Campus Martius Park will serve as the epicenter for the 2024 draft, with Hart Plaza and Fox Theater also involved.
Music events will take place at Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena, and a fireworks show will be held on the Detroit River.
What is Campus Martius?
Campus Martius is the heart of downtown Detroit.
It’s a park sandwiched between all the main attractions — just a few blocks from both Ford Field and the Detroit River, and it’s stocked full of top-tier restaurants.
In the winter, it’s home to Detroit’s outdoor ice skating rink and lit up by a very large Christmas tree.
Now, it will be home to the NFL draft, too.
Where can I buy 2024 NFL draft tickets?
Tickets are not available yet for the 2024 draft. In fact, what ticketing will even look like for the draft and the concerts has not been determined.
If the draft itself is held at Campus Martius, and they erect a big stage, seating could potentially be limited.
Tickets will likely go on sale after 2023’s draft ends, and fans can look to the NFL and Lions’ websites for more information as the date nears.
What other NFL draft events can we expect?
Detroit’s plans haven’t been revealed, but this year’s Las Vegas draft features a wide range of activities that were free and open to the public, according to the NFL website.
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The 2022 Draft Experience is a football theme park with food and drink options, a 40-yard dash, a vertical jump against NFL players on LED screens, a Super Bowl rings display and live autograph sessions with current NFL players.
The Draft Experience is free and open to the public.
Wood said there will be concerts and a fireworks show, but the performers have yet to be announced.
Contact Emma Stein: estein@freepress.com and follow her on Twitter @_emmastein.