2024 NFL Draft: Downtown Detroit packed with 150,000-strong crowd hours before first pick

“The Draft has become a prominent offseason event across the country, and we are excited to work with the Detroit Lions and their partners to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to the Motor City,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement in 2022. “With the help of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the City of Detroit, the Lions’ passionate fan base and all visitors will be treated to an incredible three-day experience.”

“Today is a historic day for Detroit with the announcement that the 2024 NFL Draft is coming to the Motor City,” Claude Molinari, Visit Detroit President and CEO said at the time. “Visit Detroit is looking forward to working with our partners in the hospitality community to welcome enthusiastic football fans from across the country who will make our city a pigskin pilgrimage stop. Hosting the Draft is another exciting win for Detroit, and it will deliver a powerful economic impact and highlight the vibrancy of our region.”

Which city will host the 2025 NFL Draft?

When the draft ends, the league will prepare for next’s year draft which will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It will be the first time Green Bay hosts the event, which will be celebrating its 90th anniversary.

“The draft has become our biggest offseason event hosted in different cities and spectacular locations across the country, and we are excited to work with the Packers and Discover Green Bay to bring the 2025 NFL Draft to Green Bay and iconic Lambeau Field,” Goodell said in a statement in 2023. “With the help of numerous local partners on the ground, our prospects and fans will be treated to an incredible week-long experience that shows off the city of Green Bay and the state of Wisconsin.”