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Ford Field - home of Detroit Lions in Detroit, MI
NFL

Ford FieldDetroit, Michigan

Detroit Lions

👥
Capacity
65,000
🏆
Conference
NFC North
📅
Opened
2002
🌱
Surface
FieldTurf (Classic HD)

📖About Ford Field

Ford Field is the domed, fixed-roof home of the Detroit Lions, located in downtown Detroit. Opened in 2002 with a capacity of 65,000 and a FieldTurf (Classic HD) surface, it replaced the Pontiac Silverdome. Its design incorporates a 1920s Hudson's warehouse along the southern sideline. Ford Motor Company acquired naming rights for $40 million over 20 years. The stadium hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006 and the NCAA Final Four in 2009.

🏛️Ford Field History

Origins

Constructed to bring the Detroit Lions back from the Pontiac Silverdome to a modern facility in the heart of the city's entertainment district.

Major Renovations

2017A $100M renovation added massive 4K video boards, a new sound system, and refreshed luxury clubs.

Notable Moments

Feb 5, 2006Hosted Super Bowl XL (Steelers vs. Seahawks).
Apr 6, 2009Hosted the NCAA Men's Final Four.

🎟️Visiting Ford Field

Best Seats

Seats along the south sideline are built into the historic warehouse and offer a unique perspective. Above row 10 in the lower bowl provides better depth of play.

Parking Tips

Use the Detroit People Mover or QLine (Grand Circus stop) to avoid downtown gridlock. Gate G often has shorter security lines than Gate A.

Game Day

Sing "Gridiron Heroes" after every touchdown and watch the "Power Meter" track crowd noise (which has hit 121 decibels). Arrive for Power Hour specials.

🗺️Local Recommendations

🍺Bars & Drinks

Nemo’s Bar

$$

Detroit sports-bar legend known for its Lions fan base and shuttle rides.

📍 1.5 miles1384 Michigan Ave

💡 Use the shuttle for an easy ride to the stadium.

Bookies Bar & Grille

$$

Longtime Detroit sports bar with plenty of TVs and a game-day crowd.

📍 0.9 miles2208 Cass Ave

💡 Great spot to catch early games before walking over.

Detroit Beer Co.

$$

Brewery taproom with local lagers and a lively pregame vibe.

📍 0.6 miles1529 Broadway St

💡 Order a Detroit Dwarf and head to the stadium on foot.

🍽️Restaurants

Buddy’s Pizza

$$

Detroit-style pizza icon known for caramelized edges and brick cheese.

📍 0.7 miles1565 Broadway St

💡 Order the classic Detroiter for the full experience.

Slows Bar BQ

$$

Corktown BBQ favorite with smoked meats and house sauces.

📍 1.3 miles2138 Michigan Ave

💡 Arrive early—lines get long on Sundays.

Lafayette Coney Island

$

Detroit institution serving classic coney dogs since 1917.

📍 0.7 miles118 W Lafayette Blvd

💡 Grab a couple of coneys for a fast pregame bite.

🏨Hotels

MGM Grand Detroit

$$$

Full-service hotel with casino, dining, and easy downtown access.

📍 0.8 miles1777 3rd Ave

💡 Walk straight down Brush or take a quick rideshare to the stadium.

The Siren Hotel

$$$

Boutique hotel with a stylish lobby and quick access to Campus Martius.

📍 0.7 miles1509 Broadway St

💡 Great option if you want a walkable downtown stay.

🎭Attractions

Campus Martius Park

$

Downtown gathering spot with seasonal events and skyline views.

📍 0.6 miles800 Woodward Ave

💡 Ideal meetup point before heading to the stadium.

Fox Theatre

$$

Historic theatre and Detroit icon on Woodward Avenue.

📍 0.8 miles2211 Woodward Ave

💡 Snap a photo of the marquee on your walk to the game.

Detroit Institute of Arts

$$

One of the largest and most significant art museums in the country, housing Diego Rivera's famous Detroit Industry murals alongside masterworks spanning 5,000 years of human creativity.

📍 2 mi5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

💡 Admission is FREE for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties — just bring a valid ID. Out-of-towners pay ~$20 adult general admission. Friday evenings have extended hours until 9 p.m. Museum is closed Mondays.

Detroit Historical Museum

$

Museum telling the full sweep of Detroit's history — from fur-trading frontier town to automotive powerhouse — including an immersive Streets of Old Detroit exhibit and a dedicated Detroit 1967 civil-unrest gallery.

📍 2 mi5401 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202

💡 Closed Mondays and Tuesdays; open Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday 1–5 p.m. Regular adult admission is $10; seniors/students/military $8; children 6–17 $6; children under 6 and DHS members free. On-site parking is $10; street parking on Woodward can be free on weekends. Occasional free late-night events run 5–8 p.m. — check the calendar.

Belle Isle Park

$

A 985-acre island state park in the Detroit River with riverfront views of downtown Detroit and Windsor, Canada, plus the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium (oldest original aquarium building in North America), a beach, and miles of trails.

📍 4 miMacArthur Bridge at Jefferson Ave & E Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48207

💡 Vehicle entry requires a Michigan Recreation Passport (~$11/day for non-residents); entry on foot or bicycle is free. Belle Isle Aquarium is open Thu–Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. with free admission (donations encouraged). Conservatory is open Wed–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m., also free. Note: the James Scott Memorial Fountain plaza is closed for renovation through spring 2027.

Detroit Riverwalk

Free

A nationally award-winning five-mile waterfront promenade along the Detroit River, featuring Cullen Plaza's carousel, scenic views of Windsor across the river, public art, and Milliken State Park Lighthouse — walkable from downtown and Ford Field.

📍 1 miRivard St at Atwater St, Detroit, MI 48207 (eastern gateway near Cullen Plaza; runs west past GM Renaissance Center)

💡 Walk or rent a bike from Wheelhouse Detroit at Cullen Plaza. The full out-and-back from the Renaissance Center to Ralph Wilson Park is about 10 miles round-trip; most visitors do the central 2–3 miles. Open daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m. The Beaubien-to-Rivard section, closed for I-375 work through winter 2025–26, has fully reopened as of April 2026.

🅿️Parking Options

🏢

Ford Field Parking Deck

$40
Garage📍 0.2 miles

💡 Closest official parking with indoor access.

🎉

Eastern Market Lots

$30
Tailgate📍 0.6 miles

💡 Popular tailgating area with vendors and a short walk.

🏢

MGM Grand Garage

$25
Garage📍 0.9 miles

💡 Easy exit after the game and a simple walk to Ford Field.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Ford Field? Share it with us.

Roof TypeFixed roof (dome)
Learn more on Wikipedia

Closest Stadiums to Ford Field

Frequently Asked Questions About Ford Field

What is the capacity of Ford Field?
Ford Field has a seating capacity of 65,000.
Where is Ford Field located?
Ford Field is located in Detroit, MI.
What team plays at Ford Field?
Ford Field is the home stadium of Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
When was Ford Field built?
Ford Field opened in 2002.
Where are the best seats at Ford Field?
Seats along the south sideline are built into the historic warehouse and offer a unique perspective. Above row 10 in the lower bowl provides better depth of play.
What are the best parking tips for Ford Field?
Use the Detroit People Mover or QLine (Grand Circus stop) to avoid downtown gridlock. Gate G often has shorter security lines than Gate A.
What type of surface does Ford Field have?
Ford Field has a fieldturf (classic hd) playing surface.
What stadiums are near Ford Field?
The closest stadiums to Ford Field are Comerica Park (0 mi), Rynearson Stadium (31 mi), Michigan Stadium (36 mi), Glass Bowl (55 mi), Doyt L. Perry Stadium (73 mi), Spartan Stadium (78 mi).

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.