2024 NFL Draft in Detroit filled with festivities
After a long wait, NFL Draft Day is upon us this week, and with it a city-wide festival of live music, games, exhibits, food and parties to celebrate.
The NFL and Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) are two of the biggest “players” in the downtown festivities. Billed as the “ultimate fan festival,” the NFL is hosting its free “Draft Experience” at downtown’s Hart Plaza and Corner Ballpark in Corktown.
The former will host most of the Draft Experience activities, including immersive exhibits, NFL Draft merchandise for sale and player appearances and autographs, plus a “taste of the town” tailgate featuring food from local Detroit restaurants. Activity highlights include a replica of an NFL locker room and a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit, plus the chance to see all 57 Super Bowl rings up close and take a photo with the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Also, Detroit's own Big Sean will headline a series of free concerts April 25-27. There'll also be performances by Detroit Youth Choir and singer-songwriter Bazzi. The concerts will be held on the Draft Theater stage and are standing room only, and they will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit here.
Corner Ballpark is an extension of the NFL Draft Experience and will serve as a hub for youth activities. It will feature an “NFL Play 60 Zone” with football clinics from the pros for youth 6-14 (available on a first-come, first-served basis), a field goal kicking challenge, NFL gear for kids to try on, food trucks, screens to watch the Draft and more.
David Greenwood, director of community engagement facilities for Detroit PAL - which runs Corner Ballpark - said the event is significant for its historical connection to the Detroit football. The site was the home of the Detroit Lions from 1938-1974.
“It’s very unique, very special, especially among some of the older generation of football fans that are out there that can remember back when the Lions played here,” he said.
The events are free, but visitors must register to enter, either through the NFL OnePass app or at www.NFL.com/DraftAccess. The NFL OnePass app will also include detailed information on the events, including player appearance schedules, maps and transportation information (shuttle busses will run between Campus Martius, Hart Plaza and Corner Ballpark).
The DDP is hosting “Draft Day in the D” with free festivities in all of their city parks, including Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park and Grand Circus Park. Woodward Avenue between State Street and Witherell Street will also be closed-off on Thursday and Friday.
The parks will feature more than 60 Detroit artists, musicians and entertainers, games, interactive art installations, food trucks, local vendors and more. Highlights include cornhole tournaments at Beacon Park, cigar rolling at Paradise Valley and an interactive art piece from Detroit jewelry company Rebel Nell in Capitol Park. There will also be numerous photo opportunities, including six unique foot-ball themed benches throughout the parks and an interactive football arch from LeMonde Studio, plus giant screens throughout to watch the draft.
Laura Dean, DDP’s director of parks and public spaces, said the parks are a great way to experience the Draft and an opportunity for the community to celebrate together.
“You can literally watch the draft, you can go shopping, you can eat, you can go to the bar, you can listen to music, you can enjoy just being outside in Detroit,” she said.
Greektown is hosting a three-day Greektown Tailgate with two blocks of music, games, food, drink specials and screens for sports viewing. The main stage at Monroe and St. Antoine streets will host 19 bands with genres including rock ‘n' roll, Motown, soul and country. On the other end of Monroe will be a dozen local Detroit DJs spinning electronic and dance music. The nearby Old Shillelagh and Firebird Tavern bars are also hosting complementary outdoor festivities.
Melanie Markowicz, the executive director of the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership, said the NFL Draft in Detroit is a time for the city to shine.
“I view the NFL Draft coming here as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only participate in this wonderful event but also to showcase how amazing Detroit is,” she said. “I’m really excited about going downtown, not only to my event, but also to the NFL Draft… Everybody from across the country is going to be here, so we’re really onstage for the country, it’s a really exciting time.”
Here's a list of big NFL Draft events happening in Detroit:
NFL Draft Experience at Hart Plaza
The NFL Draft Experience is the NFL’s official fan festival featuring immersive exhibits, games, photo opportunities with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, NFL-themed merchandise and local food, plus autographs and appearances with NFL players. The majority of the activities will take place at Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Corktown’s Corner Ballpark will host youth-focused activities and football clinics. All events take place from noon-10 p.m. April 25-26 and from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. April 27. The events are free but participants must download the NFL OnePass app or register at www.NFL.com/DraftAccess. For details visit www.nfl.com/draft/event-info.
Youth Activities at Corner Ballpark
An extension of the NFL Draft Experience, Corktown’s Corner Ballpark will be a go-to spot for kids, featuring football clinics, food trucks, youth activities, DJs and a watch party. It takes place from 3-10 p.m. April 25-26 and from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. April 27. An NFL OnePass is required for entry and those interested to participate in the clinics are encouraged to register ahead of time. Corner Ballpark is located at 1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit. For details, visit www.nfl.com/draft/event-info.
Draft Day in the D
The Downtown Detroit Partnership is hosting NFL draft parties throughout downtown city parks for “Draft Day in the D.” The event will include live entertainment, free activities, food trucks, vendors, cigar rolling, cornhole tournaments and interactive art installations throughout Grand Circus Park, Beacon Park, Capitol Park and Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park. The event runs from 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. April 25 and from noon-8 p.m. April 26-27. For details visit www.downtowndetroit.org.
Greektown Tailgate
Greektown is hosting a free, three-day tailgate featuring two blocks of live music, sports viewing, games, food and drink specials. The nearby Old Shillelagh and Firebird Tavern bars will also be hosting their own complementary tent parties and outdoor festivities. The Greektown Tailgate will take place from noon to midnight April 25-27 on Monroe Street between St. Antoine and Brush Streets. Details are available at www.greektowndetroit.org.
Next Level Roller Skating and Games by RollerCade
In partnership with Bedrock’s Decked Out Detroit, RollerCade is offering two floors of games and roller-skating. The ground floor will include an indoor game zone with card-operated games like air hockey and virtual racing, plus concessions. The second floor features a roller-skating rink overlooking Woodward Avenue. Next Level is located at 1201 Woodward Ave., Detroit. It will be open from noon-8 p.m. April 25-27 and from noon-6 p.m. April 28. Skating is $10; skate rental is available for $3. For details, visit www.deckedoutdetroit.com.
Remix Detroit’s Immersive Music Lab
Remix Detroit, in partnership with Decked Out Detroit, is offering a free interactive music lab featuring technology from Bluewater Technologies. The space will allow visitors to create their own music and light show by re-arranging and altering illuminated spheres and turntables. It will run from noon - 8 p.m. April 25-27 and from noon-6 p.m. April 28, located at 1413 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. For details, visit www.deckedoutdetroit.com.
Eastern Market Night Market (Friday only)
Eastern Market is hosting a Night Market with live entertainment, food and vendors, including the “BLK Market” from the Metro Detroit Black Business Alliance. The event takes place from 5-8 p.m. April 26 at Eastern Market, 1445 Adelaide St., Detroit. For more information, visit www.easternmarket.org.
Big Watch Draft Party at Comerica Park (Thursday only)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Michigan is hosting a Big Draft Watch Party at Comerica Park. The event will feature games, ballpark food, autographs and draft viewing screens, plus appearances and autographs from sports figures. The event takes place from 4-10 p.m. April 25 at Comerica Park, 2100 Woodward Ave., Detroit. Tickets start at $35. For details, visit www.bbbssoutheastmi.org.