NFL draft projected to bring in more than $160 million to Detroit

There are only a few weeks left until the next generation of football stars are chosen in the 2024 NFL draft, which will take place in downtown Detroit April 25-27.

The event is expected to attract to the Motor City hundreds of thousands of fans from around the country, who will bring in more than $160 million for businesses in Detroit and the surrounding area, according to an analysis by the economic consulting firm Anderson Economic Group.

“Hosting the NFL draft is an exciting win for Detroit and presents invaluable opportunities for the city to showcase its culture on a national stage, fostering long-term tourism and investment prospects,” Tyler Theile, vice president and director of economic analysis and public policy at Anderson Economic Group, said in a statement.

This will be the first time in the draft’s 88-year history that it will be held in Detroit. The economic boost and buzz surrounding the draft has become the latest chapter in the tale of Detroit’s resurgence.

It was only a little over a decade ago that, amid budget shortfalls and population decline, Detroit became the largest city in American history to file for bankruptcy. Although there’s still progress to be made, Detroit has made significant strides in attracting new investments and businesses to the city in the years since.

John Roach, a spokesperson for the Detroit mayor’s office, told the Michigan Independent that city officials think the NFL draft will give visitors an opportunity to see first-hand the progress the city has made.

To prepare for the large-scale event, the city has been working behind the scenes for more than a year, according to a statement from Mayor Mike Duggan, and people are beginning to see the transformation.

The NFL Draft Theater, the temporary stage that is the site of the draft, is undergoing construction in Cadillac Square, formerly known as the Monroe Midway. This is where the future prospects will be selected through seven rounds to join one of the NFL’s 32 teams. Visitors will also see NFL team banners placed along light poles downtown, and those entering the city via I-94 will be welcomed with a Hollywood-style Detroit sign.

“The NFL Draft is going to do more for our city in terms of economic activity and its national image than any single event in Detroit’s history,” Duggan said.

The draft is free and open to the public in the downtown area around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. The broadcasted event is projected to reach more than 50 million people.

Over the draft weekend, viewing parties and other football-themed activities will take place across the city, including in Greektown, Corktown and Corner Ballpark. To keep up with event updates, visit the NFL One Pass app, visitdetroit.com and detroitmi.gov.