Ford Field guide: What to know about the Detroit Lions’ home stadium (2024)

Editor’s note: This article is part of theStadium Guidesseries, a comprehensive guide to your NFL team’s stadium experience.

Buy tickets on StubHub to Detroit Lions games at Ford Field here.

Breaking ground in 1999 and opening to the public in 2002, Ford Field has been the home of the Detroit Lions for 22 years.

Nestled in the heart of downtown, Ford Field’s location makes for a unique experience for sports fans, with Detroit’s four major sports franchises — the Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings — all within a mile of one another. Despite its dome stadium status, large glass windows add much-needed natural light, while the roof keeps Midwest weather conditions at bay in the fall and winter. The stadium has hosted a Super Bowl, conference championship games, bowl games, college basketball and hockey games, high school title games, international soccer matches, various concerts and more.

While team success had been limited, Lions fans are a loyal bunch and Michigan is a football state. The 2023 season provided a glimpse of what this thing can look like when you put a winning product on the field. After a 12-5 season and a first-place finish in the NFC North, the Lions hosted their first playoff game at Ford Field. New traditions were incorporated, like a light show at the end of third quarters during bigger games. The stadium was deafening at times. Players and coaches certainly noticed.

“It was probably the best I’ve ever been a part of,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said of the game day environment after his team’s 24-23 playoff victory over the Los Angeles Rams in January. “It was just four hours of nonstop barrage of the fans just going off and the chants for (Lions QB Jared) Goff. … What a special, special environment. I mean, for anybody that was there, you’ll never forget that.”

The Lions hope to ride that momentum in 2024 when they have five prime-time and nine nationally televised games. Five of those nationally televised games are at home. Slowly but surely, the Lions hope Ford Field can become one of the most difficult places to play in the league — if it isn’t already.

The Athletic has compiled 32 stadium guides, one for each NFL team, to give fans vital information about the game day experience. We’ve also asked readers to weigh in on the best food, beer and tailgate options at each stadium, among other things, to help football fans enjoy their visit.

Insider tips

2024 must-watch game at stadium: vs. Los Angeles Rams, Sept. 8

I mean, how could we choose anything else? Matthew Stafford, the former face of the franchise and no stranger to Ford Field, will make his return to Detroit eight months after a brutal playoff loss at the hands of his former team. That win exorcised Detroit’s demons, serving as the Lions’ first playoff win in 32 years and catapulting the team to an NFC Championship Game appearance. The stakes won’t be the same for the rematch, but an opponent like this to kick off a much-anticipated 2024 season — on “Sunday Night Football,” no less — will have the building rocking. That sound you’re hearing is Lions fans practicing their “JA-RED GOFF” chants.

Fan tradition to know: ‘Gridiron Heroes’

The most notable tradition at Ford Field is “Gridiron Heroes” playing each time the Lions score a touchdown. The song, written by a Wayne State professor in the 1930s, has been the team’s fight song ever since. Given how potent Detroit’s offense has been in recent years, it can be heard quite often these days in the fall.

Colton Pouncy’s favorite thing

During the 2023 season, the Lions unveiled a new light show at select home games. PixMob bracelets were distributed to fans in attendance. Those bracelets would then light up during player introductions before the game and synchronize to music played in the stadium. The most notable use of the bracelets last season came before the start of fourth quarters. Queen’s “We Will Rock You” echoed throughout the stadium as lights on the bracelets matched the song’s rhythm, with fans singing and chanting along. It was one of the cooler experiences I’ve witnessed in person. Expect more of it in 2024.

This is cool pic.twitter.com/kHhYbFWRA1

— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) October 31, 2023

The Athletic’s stadium ranking: 14

In August 2023, The Athletic’s Jon Machota compiled input from NFL beat writers at the company and ranked each of the 30 stadiums from best to worst. Ford Field checked in at No. 14.

As Machota noted in his stadium rankings, one of Ford Field’s unique features is its incorporation of an old Detroit brick warehouse into its design. The Lions are always identifying ways to incorporate the city, whether it’s featuring and selling food from local restaurants on game days or playing Detroit native and rapper Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” before kickoff. It’s helped add to the “Detroit vs. Everybody” mantra.

In March, the Lions’ game day experience was ranked No. 1 by the NFL’s league-wide “Voice of the Fan” survey. Overall, things have been trending upward despite a hefty increase in season ticket prices that fans didn’t love.

Fans’ game day advice

The Athletic surveyed NFL fans for their feedback on the following questions:

What is the ‘best bang for your buck’ seating section?

200-level corners have great sightlines. — William H.

What’s the can’t-miss food?

Ben’s Soft Pretzels. How are we not talking about Ben’s Soft Pretzels? — Jr. J

Power hour from 11 a.m.-noon. before 1 p.m. games is good for $3 co*kes, bottled water, Bud Lights and hot dogs. Soft pretzels are great but ridiculously expensive. — Vince A.

What’s the best beer option?

M43 and Bell’s both have craft beer stands. Definitely the place to be. — Jr. J

Where is the best spot to take a photo?

Get down near the field before kickoff near the tunnel and you can walk right down to the railing for a photo with the Lions warming up behind you. — Bob G.

Best spot to take a photo is the main Rotunda Entrance on Brush. You can sneak in a field shot from there. It’s even better if you go up and do it in the same corner, either from the bridge or right outside the section. There’s an open view of the field. — Michael P.

The Barry Sanders statue is a good place for a photo, but you have to get in line for it. In the stadium, the open area by Gates E and F are good for a picture. There is also a ramp above the main area above Gate G by the standing room only where you can get a good view of the field for a picture. — Joel L.

What are the kid-friendly activities/options at the stadium?

For kids, be sure to check in at a guest services desk when you arrive. They will give the kids a free certificate for attending their first game and a bracelet you can put on them with your contact information in case they get separated. Outside the stadium, on Brush Street, there are activities and games they can do. … In the stadium, they have face painting, and some of the vendors have free games they can play. After the game, the kids can get a free little football and do a 10-yard run to score a touchdown on the field. — Joel L.

Where is the best place to tailgate?

Eastern Market got multiple mentions for tailgating.

What to know if you go

Stadium address: 2000 Brush St., Detroit, Mich. 48226.

Year opened: 2002.

Roof? Dome with non-retractable roof.

Playing surface: FieldTurf.

Stadium capacity: 65,000.

2023 average attendance per game (per Pro Football Reference): 64,843.

Tickets: $364 is the average StubHub ticket cost at Ford Field for a 2024 NFL game, according to StubHub.

Bag policy: Bags made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC that are no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches are allowed. Non-clear bags that are no larger than 4 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches and are about the size of a hand are permitted. These bags can be carried with or without a strap or hand. Other bags that are allowed include one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, binocular cases and camera cases. Official NFL team logo clear plastic tote bags are also permitted. Exceptions may be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Outside food policy: No outside food or beverages are allowed.

ADA information: Ford Field parking facilities are ADA compliant. Guests needing assistance can enter through most Ford Field gates and may utilize any passenger elevator. Contact the Ford Field ticket office in advance at 313-262-2167 to purchase ADA seating, which is located at the top of the sections on the lower and upper concourses.

Tailgating policy: Tailgating is prohibited in parking facilities adjacent to Ford Field, but private lots within walking distance of the stadium do allow for tailgating (varies by lot).

Transportation options: Driving, rideshare, QLINE, shuttles from area casinos/restaurants.

Learn more: https://www.fordfield.com/

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(Top illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos: Amy Lemus / NurPhoto and Scott Legato / Getty Images)