NFL draft in Detroit: Your guide to what's happening downtown, including full schedule

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The 2024 NFL draft in Detroit is finally here.

Just as excitement around the Detroit Lions is at an all-time high, following a thrilling run to the NFC championship game, the NFL world descends upon the Motor City today through Saturday for one of sports' biggest spectacles.

The 2024 NFL draft is in downtown Detroit, a moment at least two years in the making. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be there, with fans of all 32 teams looking to celebrate their teams' draft picks near the stage at Campus Martius and checking out the NFL Fan Experience at Hart Plaza.

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 April 25-27. The rounds break down as follows:

• 8 p.m. Thursday, April 25: Round 1
• 7 p.m. Friday, April 26: Rounds 2-3
• 12 p.m. Saturday, April 27: Rounds 4-7

Where is the 2024 NFL draft?

The 2024 NFL draft is 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. It's a big moment for Detroit as it hits the national stage.

2024 NFL draft registration, tickets, sign-up

The 2024 NFL draft is free to attend and open to the public. If you're planning to attend, though, you will need to register using the NFL OnePass 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.

• Your guide to the NFL OnePass app:How to download, what it will tell you

2024 NFL draft map

Looking to get a sense of where everything is downtown? Use this map. (Tap here if you can't see the map below.)

NFL draft weather forecast

You might want to bring a jacket, at least for Thursday. Expect partly sunny skies, with potentially high pollen levels, and a high of 55 degrees on Day 1 of the NFL draft. On Friday, it warms up to a high of 66 degrees and with some sun, then clouds in the afternoon. Then Saturday, it warms even further to 75 degrees, with mostly cloudy skies and a potential shower or thunderstorm.

Of course, this is Michigan weather, so keep your eyes on the latest forecast to stay up to date.

Downtown Detroit transportation

Detroit has multiple public transportation 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.

These include:

• The Detroit People Mover, which will operate 24 hours a day from 7 a.m. April 25 through midnight April 28.
• The QLINE along Woodward Avenue, which will run from 8 a.m. to midnight April 25 through April 27. The stops include Harper Ave., 116 Lothrop St., 6540 Cass Ave., John R & Piquette and 6230 John R St.  

• Bus service: SMART will have park-and-ride services from various points in metro Detroit, including Great Lakes Crossing, several Meijer store locations and Oakland County Community College. It also has its FAST service on Gratiot, Woodward and Michigan Avenue. DDOT services will operate with modified downtown routes because of road closures.
• Shuttles and drop-offs: There will be designated shuttle and ride-share drop-off points throughout downtown on Woodward, Jefferson and Fort Street. Detroit Air Xpress, or DAX, is a nonstop coach bus service connecting downtown Detroit to Detroit Metro Airport, and D2A2 is an express coach bus that connects downtown Detroit to downtown Ann Arbor.

Fan shuttle locations:

• Bagley Mobility Hub, 1501 Wabash St.  
• River East Garage, 214 Rivard St.  

Fan shuttle hours: 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday

• More: Service details released about Detroit public transit options

Detroit parking for 2024 NFL draft

If you decide to drive downtown, make a plan and prearrange parking. Many off-street lots and garages are booked, and street parking will be limited or restricted in the area. Parking regulations will be enforced; vehicles may be towed. Those planning to park downtown are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m. You may find off-street parking options on the Park Detroit app or on Park Whiz.

You can pay for metered parking through Park Detroit's website or app. There are also options for private parking throughout the city.

2024 NFL draft parking:You better have a plan if you're coming to downtown Detroit

Detroit road closures for 2024 NFL draft

The City of Detroit conducted six phases of road closures leading up to and during the 2024 NFL draft. It started March 29 and will go through May 7. Be mindful of these closures as you're perusing downtown this weekend.

Here's a detailed look at each phase of road closures in downtown Detroit.

Security, bag policy at the 2024 NFL draft

Detroit police say they've got a safety plan in place that includes increased police presence downtown, weapon detectors and video monitoring.

Detroit police have partnered with the NFL and local businesses on the security plan, as well as state and federal law enforcement, according to 3rd Precinct Cmdr. Matthew Fulgenzi.

The NFL will have weapon detectors installed that attendees must walk through at the gates of the event, which will take place at Cadillac Square, Campus Martius, Hart Plaza and a portion of Woodward Avenue. The NFL has a clear bag policy to enter the draft area, Fulgenzi said. 

Here's more on security measures and policies at the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit.

2024 NFL Draft Experience

The 2024 NFL Draft Experience is at Hart Plaza on Thursday through Saturday. The hours:

• Thursday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Friday: Noon to 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m. to 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.

Use the NFL OnePass app to find more on what's planned and when throughout the NFL draft blueprint.

Other NFL draft activities

Here are more ideas on what to do at the 2024 NFL draft:

• NFL draft watch parties:District Detroit, Greektown, hotels, restaurants and more
• Celebrations:Parties, tours and panel discussions to watch for
• At Ford Field:Lions to host NFL draft event for season ticket holders
• NFL Shop:Where to find the NFL's pop-up store in downtown Detroit
• Art and murals:Detroit's DCLEATED exhibit across town … plus 8 downtown murals to see
• Roller skating and games:Next Level by RollerCade set to open right near the draft

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. And get a souvenir while you're in the city.

Looking for ideas? Check out these guides we put together for you:

• Where to eat:Your guide to breakfast, lunch and dinner in Detroit, plus our Best Restaurant Guide
• Where to shop: 7 places to get Detroit souvenirs, plus a guide to special pop-ups
• Where to see concerts:Big Sean, Detroit Youth Choir lead list of performers
• Where to golf:The top 10 golf courses to play near downtown Detroit
• Where to take your kids:Top kid-friendly events to check out at the NFL draft
• Where to take photos:Iconic Detroit places where you can snap photos while you're here
• Must-see attractions:Where to go in Detroit while you're here

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:

• The Detroit "Hollywood-style" sign is constructed along eastbound Interstate 94. Here's how to scope it out.
• Prayer halls will be geared up for worshippers of the Muslim faith.
• There are five "Welcome to Detroit" signs going up on other stretches of highways.
• Detroit City Distillery has several NFL draft events planned.
• Circuit Court at Detroit city hall will suspend in-person services during NFL draft week.
• Verizon is deploying multiple networks to boost connectivity and service downtown.

Download the NFL OnePass app to stay up to date on what's happening during the draft.

And lastly, what about the NFL draft itself?

Glad you asked: The Free Press sports team is all over the NFL draft, day and night. The Lions pick No. 29 overall in the first round, but there's always the possibility of trading down. We rounded up mock drafts from all over the web to see what the Lions might do this week. Here are 6 players they could target if they choose to stay at No. 29.

Head to our Lions page for full coverage. And stay on top of freep.com for live updates from downtown as we follow the spectacle all three days!

Celebrate the Lions' epic season withthe Detroit Free Press' new commemorative book: "From Grit to Glory: The Epic Story of the Detroit Lions' 2023 Renaissance." Order now atLions.PictorialBook.com!    

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