The Three-Day NFL Draft in Detroit Brings Record Attendance and Economic Boost
Detroit recently hosted the three-day NFL Draft, which not only broke attendance records but also made a significant economic impact on the city. With an estimated 775,000 attendees and an additional 34 million viewers tuning in on TV, the draft brought an estimated economic impact between $150 million and $175 million.
Local businesses, food sales, and VIP suites all played a part in the draft’s success, contributing to the overall economic boost. Although Visit Detroit is still calculating the exact impact and expects a report by June, they predict that the actual amount will exceed the initial estimate.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan commended Detroiters for their warm welcome and highlighted the unique inclusion of local businesses at the draft. The Detroit Police Department reported minimal crime during the event, with only two arrests and two juvenile detainments over the three days.
Transportation services in the city also experienced increased ridership, with the People Mover, QLine, and other services seeing higher usage during the draft. A total of 775,000 people were estimated to be within the draft footprint, not including other viewing areas.
With the success of the draft, Detroit hopes to see lasting changes and continued economic growth in the city. Future events lined up for Detroit include the Movement Festival, Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, and Rocket Mortgage golf classic, all of which will continue to showcase the city’s vibrancy and draw in visitors from near and far.
