The 2024 NFL Draft takes over Detroit this week, with more than 400,000 expected to descend on Campus Martius and beyond.
The NFL Draft will be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, well before the actual draft starts. There’s a ton to do for visitors. But there’s also a lot of information you should know before attending.
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The NFL and Visit Detroit have compiled a long list of FAQ for the draft right here, but we’ll break down some of the big stuff below.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft in Detroit takes place April 25-27, 2024, in Campus Martius, through Hart Plaza on the Detroit Riverfront.
Security screenings start at 12 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday.
Draft Theater Hours:
- Thursday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Friday: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Saturday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
All three days of the 2024 NFL Draft will take place at the Draft Theater adjacent to Campus Martius Park. Commissioner Goodell and other special guests will be announcing the player selections of each of the 32 NFL teams.
NFL Draft Experience Hours:
- Thursday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Friday: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fans of all ages will be able to participate in interactive games, take photos at exhibits including The Vince Lombardi Trophy, free player autograph sessions and appearances, and more.
The **NFL Clear Bag Policy** will be in effect for the NFL Draft.
Where is the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Draft Theatre is situation in Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit, while the NFL Draft Experience is just south in Hart Plaza.
---> Find a map of the event here
Do I need tickets to the NFL Draft in Detroit?
All NFL Draft events, from the draft stage in Campus Martius to the NFL Experience in Hart Plaza, are completely free. But you can’t just walk in. Here’s what you need to know.
To get into any event, you’ll need to register yourself on the NFL OnePass.
NFL OnePass gives you access to all event information, gives you the chance to get involved with tons of activities, and is your go-to guide for NFL events! Please note that NFL OnePass is required to participate in any interactive games on-site.
You won’t need a ticket - just register on the NFL OnePass to enjoy the Fan Experience. Just search for it in your mobile app store.
Once you register, you’ll have a QR code available in the app that can get you in wherever you go.
You can also register on the website here.
How to get to the 2024 NFL Draft
From Detroit Airport
From DTW, you can take I-94 East directly for about 20 miles and get downtown.
From the North
If you’re coming from northern Oakland County, the most direct route would be I-75 South. To get to Detroit from Macomb County take I-94 West right into Detroit before hopping on I-75 South to get into downtown.
From the West
From southern Oakland County, the best route is via I-696 East and M-10 South (known to locals as John C. Lodge Freeway or simply “The Lodge.”) If you’re coming from the Ann Arbor area, or you can hop on M-14 East or take I-94 East.
From the South
If you’re coming from Toledo or the downriver area, you can take I-75 North through to downtown Detroit.
From Windsor
Transit Windsor will be operating enhanced tunnel bus service for fans during the NFL Draft with service every half hour through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel. Service starts at 10am each day and visitors must purchase tickets in advance.
NFL Draft Detrostreet closures map
(This map can also be accessed here)
NFL Draft parking and shuttles
Parking
Visitors to the NFL Draft are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and to pre-arrange parking if they plan to drive downtown. We anticipate a high demand for traffic and parking downtown during the NFL Draft event.
We have several Park and Ride options (including fan shuttles, QLINE, and buses) available that we encourage fans and visitors to utilize.
We discourage people from driving into the Central Business District. If you do choose to drive and park downtown into the Central Business District, we encourage you to prebook your parking and arrive early in the day by 10am.
You can find available off-street parking options on the Park Detroit app or on Park Whiz.
Accessible Parking
There is ADA-friendly parking available at the River East Garage - 214 Rivard St. - $15 per car (prepay here)
There is a designated ADA-friendly drop-off in front of the Renaissance Center, in the horseshoe.
Fan shuttle locations
$10 per car - WSU Structures 1 (first come, first served) - 450 W. Palmer Ave
$15 per car - Bagley Mobility Hub, 1501 Wabash Street. Prepay here.
$15 per car - River East Garage, 214 Rivard Street. Prepay here.
QLINE will be offering Park and Ride services, available on a first-come, first-served basis for $5 per vehicle from the following locations:
- WSU Lot 12 – Harper & Woodward - near the Amsterdam station
- New Center Garage – 116 Lothrop - near the Grand Blvd station
- Cass Garage – 6540 Cass Ave - near the Baltimore station
- John R & Piquette – 6230 John R. - near the Amsterdam station
Private coach and shuttles
Private coaches and shuttles should utilize the following locations for pick-up and drop-off of visitors coming downtown for the NFL Draft
Bus Drop Off Locations
- Fort/Cass (on Cass) People Mover Station (Close to Entrance 3 and People Mover)
- Bricktown People Mover Station (Close to Greektown)
- I-75 Service Drive west of Woodward by Little Caesar’s Arena (Close to DDP Draft Day in the D)
- South side of Ren Cen (Close to Entrance 1)
Bus Layover Information
Coaches and shuttle buses will not be permitted to layover downtown in the Central Business District.
The City has designated the following locations as bus layover locations that allow for easy access to the pick-up & drop-off locations.
- Rosa Parks between Bagley and Lafayette
- W. Lafayette between Rosa Parks and 16th Street
- NB Chrysler Service Drive between Russell and Eliot
- St. Aubin between Vernor and Antietam
How to watch the 2024 NFL Draft
The 2024 NFL Draft will be televised nationally by NFL Network, ABC , ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Make sure to tune-in to NFL Network for exclusive insider access that takes you behind-the-scenes in Detroit.
On-air coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light will begin at the times listed below:
April 25 (Thursday): 8 PM ET /7 PM CT – NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
April 26 (Friday): 7 PM ET / 6 PM CT – NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
April 27 (Saturday): Noon ET / 11 AM CT – NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes (Spanish)
Are the NFL Draft concerts free?
Yes. FREE concerts will be hosted prior to Round 1 on Thursday, Round 3 on Friday, and following Round 7 on Saturday, live on the Draft Theater stage following each night of the Draft as part of the NFL Draft Concert Series. Concert viewing is on a first-come first-served basis and standing room only.
CONFIRMED PERFORMANCES:
Thursday April 25: Big Sean 6:15pm
Friday April 26: Detroit Youth Choir 6:00pm
Saturday April 27: Bazzi post Round 7/approx. 7:00pm
---> 2024 NFL Draft: 5 things out-of-towners need to see in Detroit
---> More FAQ on the NFL Draft