Detroit, MI
2024 NFL draft in Detroit: Everything you need to know before you go
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan on 2024 NFL draft in Downtown Detroit
“What the team here has done has created so many other spaces where you’re going to be able to watch and hear the draft.”
The 2024 NFL draft is in Detroit on April 25-27, as you probably have heard by now. If you’re traveling to Detroit for the draft, here’s a guide to make your draft experience easy and unforgettable.
Information on registration, parking, travel, street closings, and draft day activities are all below.
When is the 2024 NFL draft?
The 2024 NFL draft is from April 25-27 in Detroit, spanning from Campus Martius to Hart Plaza in downtown with additional events in Beacon Park, Capitol Park, Grand Circus Park, Harmonie Park, and along Woodward Avenue.
2024 NFL draft registration
If you still have not signed up for the free draft day experience, there’s still time to register using the NFLOnePass app or online through the website.
Registering for the event only guarantees you the NFL draft footprint in downtown Detroit. You must buy tickets separately for the actual draft theater.
Ticket packages are available for purchase for the second and third rounds starting at $950 per person — the fourth through seventh rounds start at $550 per person as well. Please be wary of potential ticket scams.
Can I still book a hotel in Detroit for the draft?
With the NFL draft just two weeks away, options are limited if you’re still looking to book a place near the NFL draft in Detroit. Here’s what to know.
Downtown Detroit transportation
Detroit has multiple public transport options to get around downtown. The city has a streetcar, an elevated rail system, bike share, and bus system to get you where you need to go.
That said, plan to get downtown early and be prepared to leave late. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to travel to Detroit over the course of the draft’s three days.
Detroit parking for 2024 NFL draft
You can pay for metered parking through Park Detroit’s website or app. There are also options for private parking throughout the city.
More: Downtown Detroit parking lots to see upgrades ahead of 2024 NFL draft
Detroit road closures for 2024 NFL draft
The city will start phase three of its street closings on April 15 at midnight. This marks the halfway point of the action plan to close downtown streets to accommodate the draft day build-out.
Closed streets for phase three:
- Jefferson Avenue; Bates Street; Atwater Street
- Southbound M-10 (Lodge), full closure at West Jefferson(Exit 1A: open); Larned ramp (Exit 1B: open)
Things to do in Detroit during the 2024 NFL draft
Detroit is a city rich with museums, restaurants and activities throughout. If you’re interested in exploring the area outside of the draft, you can go to the Motown Museum, the Michigan Science Center, check out golf rich southeast Michigan, and even catch a Detroit Tigers game on April 26, 27 or 28 when they host the Kansas City Royals.
Get a souvenir while you’re in the city.
More: NFL draft in Detroit: Hotels, restaurants, things to do for traveling fans
Detroit NFL draft activities
Draft day activities are from noon-10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, events go from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Activities include a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit and an autograph signing opportunity with current and former NFL players, as well as a 40-yard dash, vertical jump, deep throw accuracy challenges, and more. There will also be a collection of Detroit-based food trucks for participants who attend.
More: Detroit City Council OKs several public, private NFL draft events
Usually, the top prospects that go at the beginning of the first round will attend the draft in person, so players such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr., Jayden Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy could walk across the stage in the heart of downtown Detroit. There have not been any announcements yet of which prospects will be at the draft April 25.
What else is Detroit doing for the NFL draft?
Here’s a list of other attractions and events planned for Detroit and the 2024 NFL draft:
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Detroit, MI
Former Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
The Pistons have made recent moves to add more shooting, but still don’t have anyone quite as lethal as former Detroit guard Luke Kennard. On Saturday night, Kennard had a brilliant start to his postseason with 27 uber-efficient points for the Lakers in a win against the Rockets. His level of 3-point accuracy is something the Pistons have desperately been seeking all season long to bolster their offense.
Luke Kennard’s shooting makes him a dangerous playoff performer
Kennard was originally drafted to Detroit with the 17th pick of the 2017 Draft. The Pistons have plenty of draft regrets from that general era of team history, but picking Kennard has never been one of them. Despite any other weaknesses he may have, his strength as a shooter has always been enough to offset them.
In terms of pure 3-point percentage, Kennard is one of the best shooters in NBA history. He averages 44% behind the arc for his career, and shot a blistering 48% this season – the best mark in the league. Given his incredible track record, it’s not exactly a shocker to see him shoot 5-of-5 from three en route to 27 points in Game 1.
Not only is Kennard obviously an excellent standstill shooter, but he’s also a master of getting himself open with his movement. On Saturday night, he was able to play off LeBron James perfectly for a few easy looks. After that, he caught enough of a rhythm to create 3-point looks for himself, even in transition.
A player like Kennard is easily capable of turning an entire playoff game when he gets hot. In a close series, that one game where Kennard hits several threes can be all the difference his team needs to advance. If the Lakers do manage to win this series, even without Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves, Kennard’s shooting will be a major reason why.
The Pistons could use someone like Kennard
Kennard would be a perfect marginal addition for the Pistons that only makes them better without taking anything away from the team. To be fair, the Pistons do have two shooters who have been hot recently in Duncan Robinson and Kevin Huerter. But having more than one respected shooter on the court at a time is often necessary to maintain a solid offense in today’s NBA.
Given the Pistons’ current lack of shooting, any additional shooters are welcome. And Kennard is understandably one of the most feared shooters in the league, capable of bending defenses just by the threat of him taking a three. Rolling him out on the Pistons would surely open up more lanes for Detroit’s stars to attack the paint and score easier points.
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Detroit, MI
Troopers arrest Detroit woman after drive-by shooting on I-94
A Detroit woman was arrested in the aftermath of a hit-and-run collision and shooting on Interstate 94, Michigan State Police reported.
Emergency dispatchers were called shortly after midnight Saturday about the altercation. Troopers reported the caller said while they were driving eastbound on I-94, near Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, a black Jeep sideswiped them and sped off.
The caller then decided to follow the Jeep.
In response, police said, the driver of the Jeep fired several gunshots in the caller’s direction.
None of the gunshots struck the vehicle.
Troopers were able to use license plate reader camera technology to locate the Jeep while it was on the Lodge Freeway, made a traffic stop. The driver and two passengers were taken into custody without incident.
The passengers were released shortly afterwards; troopers believe that the 19-year-old driver was the shooter. She has been lodged pending further review by the prosecutor’s office.
In addition, a firearm was recovered from the vehicle.
The above video originally aired on Aug. 19, 2025.
Detroit, MI
Orlando Magic vs Detroit Pistons odds for NBA playoffs Game 1 Sunday
NBA playoffs best matchups
Breaking down the best first-round NBA playoff matchups.
Who is favored in the NBA playoffs odds for Game 1 between the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic?
Here’s what you need to know about NBA playoff betting odds for the NBA game between the No. 8 seed Magic and No. 1 seed Pistons, which is being played on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
What is the point spread for the Pistons vs Magic game?
What is the moneyline for the Magic vs Pistons game?
What is the over/under (point total) for betting on the first-round NBA playoff matchup?
NBA playoffs odds: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | NBA championship odds | Game odds
Watch Magic at Pistons on Peacock
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is point spread?
According to BetMGM Sportsbook, the Detroit Pistons are an 8.5-point favorite over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their NBA Playoffs series.
NBA playoffs Game 1 predictions, picks: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s score projections
Pistons vs Magic odds: What is moneyline?
BetMGM Sportsbook lists Detroit as -375 on the moneyline for the first-round NBA playoff game. It has Orlando at +290.
NBA playoffs series schedules, TV channels: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | Daily schedule | First-round matchups
Magic vs Pistons odds: What is over/under?
The point total for the opening game of the NBA playoffs series between the Pistons and Magic is listed at 218.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
NBA playoffs series picks, predictions: Knicks vs Hawks | Cavaliers vs Raptors | Nuggets vs Timberwolves | Lakers vs Rockets | Spurs vs Trail Blazers | Celtics vs 76ers | The Republic’s predictions | NBA playoff bracket
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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