Change is a-comin’ across the NFL landscape. The 2024 NFL Draft represents another opportunity for franchises to reinforce their squads ahead of what promises to be a grueling campaign.
This year’s iteration of the event is set to take place in an entirely new habitat — Detroit Rock City, home of the Lions.
Detroit harbors one of football’s most popular teams, an organization that has only grown in prominence under beloved head coach Dan Campbell. The draft should prove another indication of the Lions’ growing might in the footballing world.
The Motor City will have to wait a while to erupt at the sight of its beloved franchise nabbing a highly-touted prospect; the Lions won’t make a selection until pick No. 29.
However, fans from across the country are set to make cross-country pilgrimages to witness the event happen first-hand.
MORE: Complete 7-round 2024 NFL Mock Draft
Here’s how Detroit was selected to host this year’s version of annual player draft.
Why is the NFL draft in Detroit?
From 1965 to 2014, the annual player draft was held in New York. That’s not the case any longer, however. The league has implemented a Super Bowl-like bidding process for cities to host draft festivities since the 2015 season. As a result, different locales have earned the honor in each of the past nine years.
The city of Detroit is the latest to receive such a responsibility. The league’s 32 owners voted in favor of the Motor City harboring the grand old event.
“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,” Visit Detroit president and CEO Claude Molinari said, per ESPN. “Hosting the draft is another exciting win for Detroit, and it will deliver a powerful economic impact and highlight the vibrancy of our region.”
The draft itself will be held around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. The site is best known for Motown Winter Blast, an annual winter celebration which draws hundreds of thousands from across the Great Lakes.
Next year’s draft will also be held in proximity to an NFC North side: The draft is slated to be hosted around the Lambeau Field and Titletown campus in Green Bay.
How are NFL Draft locations selected?
NFL Draft locations are selected by the owners after proposals are submitted by interested teams.
Although the drafts in 2024 and 2025 are accounted for, the Steelers are submitting bids for 2026.
