Toot toot! All aboard the Lions bandwagon! We will be the first to admit that this past NFL season has us INVESTED in the NFL and what better way to roll into next season than the 2024 NFL Draft happening this weekend in Detroit!
This is the first time ever since the creation of the draft that the NFL Draft has been in Michigan. How cool is that?! The annual event allows the 32 NFL franchises to draft the top prospects in football from around the world and secure the ability to sign them to a contract for the first four years of their career. It’s full of trades, upsets and surprises, as well as designer suits, outlandish jewels, family, and sports heroes.
We’ve done all the research and compiled a quick list of what we think is the most helpful info for Michigan families {sports fans or not} to make the most of this 3-day experience, April 25 – April 27. {To clarify the first round of the draft will be held on the 25th, the second and third rounds will take place on the 26th and the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds will be held on the 27th, and not all players come in person to the Draft Stage}
- The NFL Draft Experience is FREE for all ages, and the Draft Theater/Stage {which is what you usually see on TV} is for invited ticket holders. For free entry to the Draft Experience, fans are required to register at https://nfl.com/DraftAccess. Each adult must register themselves, and one adult can register up to 5 minors. For the Draft Theater/Stage, again seating is only available to invited ticket holders, however, as seats become available, fans will have an opportunity to be selected from Draft Experience standing room viewing for Draft Theater standing room only spots + other seating depending upon availability, per our sources this rarely happens BUT good luck!
- Draft Experience Hours are 4/25 12p-10p, 4/26 12p-10p, and 4/27 9a-6p
- All NFL Draft/Experience vendors ie. concessions and merchandise are CASHLESS.
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The main hub for all youth activities during the NFL Draft + Experience will be at Corner Ballpark. The football clinics conducted on the NFL Play Football Field at Corner Ballpark are open to kids ages 6–14 only. The other various passing, running, kicking and receiving games and attractions are for fans of all ages. Remember you must register for NFL OnePass for entry into Corner Ballpark {see #1} and the NFL clear bag policy will be in effect. The times for Corner Ballpark are different than that of the experience so be sure to check the OnePass app.
- All visitors for the NFL Draft festivities will undergo airport style security screening, since the NFL Experience and the Draft Stage are adjacent everyone falls under the same category. Make sure you read what is allowed and what isn’t allowed, as you will most likely be waiting in lines and thus making the decision to forfeit items or be turned away.
- If you are planning on attending the experience when you register {see #1} our sources best tip is to also download the app. There will be opportunities to win prizes and other fun features for adults and kiddos in the app, like Fanscan, games, etc.
- BONUS for families all Fan Services locations at NFL Draft Experience are accessible and equipped with baby changing tables and private space for nursing mothers.
- There is also Draft Day in the D {outside of the NFL Draft Experience and the Draft Stage} which is family-friendly parties across downtown Detroit’s Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park and on a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue between State and Witherell streets. Think food vendors, artists, musicians, entertainers, interactive art, cornhole tournaments, etc. that spans several downtown parks, all within walking distance of the NFL Draft event site – SECURITY is required but the NFL OnePass/Draft Access is NOT.
- A map of all festivities can be found HERE – there is three colors: YELLOW for the invited season ticket holders ie. Draft Stage, BLUE for the NFL Draft Experience {registration required see #1}, and PURPLE for Draft Day in the D {see #8}.
- Our parking advice, much with any other event in Detroit, is godspeed, but the NFL tried to have a plan with tips that can be found here.
Tell us do you plan on attending the NFL Draft in Detroit this weekend?
ALSO, GOOOOOOOOO LIONS!