DRAFT DAY IN THE D
What is Draft Day in the D?
It's a three-day celebration across downtown Detroit's award-winning parks. The festivities, held April 25-27, will be located at Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park and on a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue between State and Witherell streets.
This is a family-friendly event that spans several downtown parks, all within walking distance of the NFL Draft event site.
What are the offerings?
The celebration will feature large screens showing live NFL Draft action, Bud Light beer tents, live entertainment and more, including:
- 45 local vendors showcasing their products, such as All Things Detroit Marketplace, Detroit Originals, Poppa's Gourmet Hot Sauce, Frick'n Good Cookies and Sweet Potato Sensations
- More than 60 local Detroit artists, musicians and entertainers performing
- Interactive art installations on display at Capitol Park, including a custom-made Draft Day in the D football arch and other fan photo opportunities to capture that special draft memory
- Cigar rolling courtesy of La Casa Cigar Lounge at Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park on Thursday
- Daily cornhole tournaments from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and more at Beacon Park
For a complete list of daily food truck lineups, visit downtowndetroit.org/event/draft-day-in-the-d/.
Do I have to pay to attend the Draft Day in the D celebrations in the parks?
Draft D in the D is free to attend and open to fans and visitors of all ages.
Do I need an NFL OnePass to enter the Draft Day in the D event spaces?
No. Fans will not be required to register or present the NFL OnePass upon entry to Draft Day in the D event spaces.
What are the hours of Draft Day in the D?
Draft Day in the D will run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, April 25 and noon to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27.
What are the entry requirements?
All fans will go through airport level screening for entry and must adhere to the prohibited items list in effect for the NFL Draft.
Will fans be permitted to flow in and out of the downtown parks for Draft Day in the D?
Yes. But you will be required to pass through security each time you enter one of the separate event spaces.
Will there be food and beverages at the downtown parks during Draft Day in the D?
Yes. Visitors can enjoy tailgate fare from more than 35 local food truck favorites, such as Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck, Rolling Stoves, Slow's BBQ, Sonny's Hamburgers, Wing Snob, Cousins Maine Lobster and more.
Adult attendees can purchase their favorite ice-cold Bud Light beverages, such as Bud Light, Budweiser, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light Black Cherry Seltzer, Stella Artois and Smirnoff Smash, at bars conveniently located within all five of the Draft Day in the D event spaces. Food trucks will sell pop and water.
For a complete list of daily food truck lineups, visit downtowndetroit.org/event/draft-day-in-the-d/.
Can I bring outside food or beverages?
Outside food or beverages, except reusable water bottles, are not permitted inside the Draft Day in the D event spaces. Food and beverages will be available for purchase within the concession areas inside the Draft Day in the D event spaces.
What is prohibited at Draft Day in the D?
Security screening in and around the Draft Day in the D event spaces will be significantly heightened. All items carried by fans will be carefully inspected and potentially prohibited from entry. These items include the following:
WEAPONS / FIREARMS / KNIVES / BATS / CLUBS • MACE / PEPPER SPRAY • LASER POINTERS / ANY SIMILAR DEVICES • FIREWORKS / SMOKE BOMBS • ILLEGAL SUBSTANCES • ANY FORM OF MARIJUANA • PETS • BANNERS / FLAGS / OFFENSIVE SIGNS • FRISBEES / BEACH BALLS / BALLOONS • CHAIRS • POLES / SELFIE STICKS / MONOPODS / TRIPODS • PROFESSIONAL / COMMERCIAL CAMERAS • CAMERAS WITH DETACHABLE LENSES / LENSES LONGER THAN FOUR INCHES • AUDIO / VISUAL RECORDING DEVICES (GO-PRO, ETC.) • MISSILE LIKE OBJECTS THAT CAN BE THROWN • BACKPACKS / HARD-SIDED BAGS • AEROSOL CANS / LIQUIDS OVER 4 OUNCES • DRONES • SKATEBOARDS / HOVERBOARDS • WHISTLES / HORNS • OUTSIDE FOOD / BEVERAGE • CLOTHING / GARMENTS DISPLAYING EXPLICIT, PROFANE OR DEROGATORY CHARACTERIZATION • ANY / OTHER ITEMS DEEMED TO BE DANGEROUS BY PARK SECURITY AND FACILITY MANAGEMENT • ANY ITEM DETERMINED BY THE VENUE
Note: Prohibited items and items determined to be inappropriate for entry into the secure perimeter will be the responsibility of the fan and cannot be accepted, stored or checked by the Park Staff or the Detroit Police Department.
The Downtown Detroit Parks are a smoke-free environment. The use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes is prohibited.
What transportation options are available?
Attendees are encouraged to use alternative transportation options, such as the QLINE, Detroit People Mover, e-scooters, MoGo bicycles and rideshare apps. Designated rideshare, park-and-ride and shuttle drop-off areas include Little Caesars Arena, the Fort/Cass People Mover station and the Renaissance Center.
From Wednesday, April 24 through Sunday, April 28, DDOT will have modified bus routes due to the road closures downtown. The Bricktown and Fort/Cass stations and the Rosa Parks Transit Center will act as designated DDOT/SMART hubs.
Visitors can use regional transit services, such as the D2A2 bus connecting Downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor, as well as the new DAX (Detroit Air Express) bus, offering service between Downtown Detroit and Detroit Metro Airport.
Parking in Downtown Detroit will also be made easy for NFL fans, with options such as street parking and numerous parking structures around the city. To access up-to-date parking availability and pricing, attendees can download the ParkWhiz app. To pay for street parking on demand with their phone, they are encouraged to download the ParkDetroit app.
Where can I find more information?
For ongoing updates, detailed road closures and event details, visit nfl.com/draft/event-info, downtowndetroit.org and visitdetroit.com. For specific questions, please email nfldraft@downtowndetroit.org.
