Ford Field is the domed home of the Detroit Lions, built into a restored 1920s warehouse in the heart of downtown Detroit. Since opening in 2002, it has hosted a Super Bowl, a WrestleMania, and a Final Four — all inside one of the NFL’s most architecturally unusual venues.
This guide covers everything a fan actually needs before a game or event at the Detroit Lions’ stadium: capacity and build history, where to park, what you can bring inside, gate times, best seats, getting there, and the stadium’s biggest moments — including the 2027 NCAA Men’s Final Four heading back to Detroit.
Quick Answer
Ford Field is the Detroit Lions’ domed NFL stadium at 2000 Brush Street in downtown Detroit, seating about 65,000 for football (expandable to roughly 70,000 for select events). Construction broke ground on November 16, 1999, and the stadium opened on August 24, 2002. It hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006 and will host the NCAA Men’s Final Four again in April 2027.
Ford Field Capacity & Build Date
Ford Field’s standard football configuration seats approximately 65,000 fans, with capacity expandable to around 70,000 for high-demand games and neutral-site events; basketball configurations for Final Four events have drawn crowds well above 70,000 using floor seating added on top of the football bowl.
Ground broke on the stadium on November 16, 1999, and it opened just under three years later on August 24, 2002, as the Detroit Lions’ replacement for the Pontiac Silverdome. The bowl is unusually deep-set: the playing field sits about 45 feet below street level, a design choice that let architects tuck a full-size NFL stadium into a tight downtown block without an oversized structure looming over the neighborhood.
The stadium’s signature feature is the restored Hudson’s warehouse, an early-1900s brick building incorporated directly into the east end of the structure. Large windows along that side flood the concourse with natural light — a rarity for a domed stadium — while the rest of the bowl is climate-controlled year-round with a FieldTurf CORE playing surface. Rossetti Architects, a Detroit-based firm, designed the roughly $500 million facility.
Home of the Detroit Lions
Ford Field has been the Detroit Lions’ football stadium since it opened in 2002, replacing the Silverdome and anchoring downtown Detroit’s sports and entertainment district alongside Comerica Park. Ford Motor Company holds the naming rights under a 20-year, $40 million deal — a fitting arrangement, since the Ford family also controls the Lions.
The dome gives Detroit a real home-field edge during Michigan’s winters, something the drafty old Silverdome never fully provided. From 2023 through the 2025 season, Ford Field also hosted the Michigan Panthers, first in the USFL and then, after that league’s 2024 merger with the XFL, in the United Football League (UFL). In October 2025, the UFL announced it was relocating the Panthers away from Ford Field for the 2026 season, citing the cost of playing in the venue and a shift toward smaller, more intimate stadiums, so the Lions are once again Ford Field’s only full-time tenant.
Major Events and Milestones
Ford Field hosted Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21–10 in front of 68,206 fans, with the Rolling Stones headlining halftime. The stadium’s all-time attendance record — 80,103 — was set at WrestleMania 23 on April 1, 2007, still one of the largest indoor entertainment crowds in Michigan history.
The venue has also proven itself as a multi-sport host: the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four drew 72,922 fans to watch North Carolina beat Michigan State 89–72, and the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four became the first college hockey championship ever played inside a football stadium, pulling in a record 37,592 spectators. Detroit is getting the Final Four back at Ford Field in 2027 — the first time since 2009 — with national semifinals set for Saturday, April 3, 2027, and the championship game on Monday, April 5, 2027, with Michigan State serving as host institution.
Bag Policy
Ford Field follows the NFL’s clear bag policy. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a one-gallon clear resealable freezer bag, plus a small clutch purse no larger than roughly 4.5″ x 6.5″ in any color.
Backpacks, purses larger than a small clutch, coolers, duffel bags, camera and binocular cases, diaper bags, fanny packs, and strollers are not permitted, and there’s no bag check at the gates, so leave anything oversized in the car. Seat cushions no bigger than 15″ x 15″, small umbrellas, and medically necessary items are allowed. Every guest passes through a walk-through metal detector and bag inspection on entry.
Parking & Tailgating
Parking lots and the Ford Field Parking Deck around the stadium generally open about four hours before kickoff and run first-come, first-served — spaces can’t be reserved on-site, though advance parking can be booked online through the stadium’s ParkWhiz partnership. Prices vary by lot and event, so check current rates when you book.
Accessible parking with proper permits is available in Lot 4 (entered from Montcalm Street) and in the Ford Field Parking Deck on St. Antoine. Some surface lots near the stadium allow gameday tailgating under the rules posted by that lot’s operator, but space is limited in a dense downtown footprint, so arrive early if that’s part of your plan.
Gates, Entry & Security
Gates typically open about two hours before Detroit Lions kickoffs — plan to arrive earlier for marquee games, Final Four sessions, or concerts, when lines at security and ticket scanning build up fast. Every bag and every guest goes through a walk-through metal detector, so budget extra time if you’re coming with a group.
Because there’s no bag check or re-entry once you leave the gates, it’s worth doing a final pass on the clear bag policy above before you head downtown.
Best Seats & Sightlines
Ford Field’s dome means sun and weather never factor into seat choice — every seat is climate-controlled, so the decision comes down to view and price. Lower-bowl sideline sections put you closest to the action and the Lions’ bench; corner and end-zone sections, especially in the upper deck, are the most affordable way into the building.
The east end, where the Hudson’s warehouse windows let in natural light, has a different feel than the rest of the enclosed bowl and is worth seeking out if you like a bit of outside light with your football. Suites and club seating run along the sidelines and are booked separately through the stadium’s premium hospitality office.
Getting There: Transit & Rideshare
Ford Field sits at 2000 Brush Street in downtown Detroit, one block from Comerica Park in the city’s sports and entertainment core. The location puts it within walking distance of downtown hotels, the People Mover, and the QLINE streetcar, making it one of the more transit-accessible NFL stadiums for out-of-town fans who’d rather skip stadium parking altogether.
Rideshare pickup and drop-off is typically directed to designated zones a short walk from the gates rather than directly outside the stadium on gameday — your Uber or Lyft app will usually route you to the current pickup point once you request a ride.
Concessions & Alcohol
Concession stands throughout the concourses cover the usual stadium staples alongside Detroit-specific options, and many stands accept mobile ordering to cut down on line time. Alcohol is sold to guests 21 and older who present valid ID — a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or military ID — and service is cut off before the end of the event per standard NFL practice.
Accessibility
Ford Field offers accessible seating throughout the bowl, accessible parking in Lot 4 and the Ford Field Parking Deck, and detailed accessibility services information published by the venue, including guidance for guests with mobility, sensory, or other access needs.
Planning Your Visit: Tickets
Lions tickets, season memberships, and group packages are sold through detroitlions.com and Ticketmaster, with resale available on the usual secondary marketplaces; suites and premium hospitality are handled separately through the stadium’s suite office. For non-Lions events — concerts, Final Four sessions, and other bookings — tickets are listed on the Ford Field events calendar as each date is announced.
For current game times, exact prices, parking rates, and any policy updates, check the official Ford Field website, which stays current on hours, tickets, and stadium policies.
Photos
USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Team-color face paint in a twist-up stick — no brushes, no mess in the car.
Ford Field FAQs
What is the capacity of Ford Field?
Ford Field seats approximately 65,000 fans for Detroit Lions football, with capacity expandable to roughly 70,000 for high-demand games and other events.
What NFL team plays at Ford Field?
The Detroit Lions have played all their home games at Ford Field since the stadium opened on August 24, 2002.
When was Ford Field built?
Construction broke ground on November 16, 1999, and Ford Field opened on August 24, 2002, replacing the Pontiac Silverdome as the Lions’ home.
Is Ford Field in Detroit?
Yes. Ford Field is located at 2000 Brush Street in downtown Detroit, one block from Comerica Park.
What is Ford Field’s bag policy?
Ford Field follows the NFL’s clear bag policy: one clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ (or a one-gallon clear freezer bag) plus a small clutch, with backpacks and coolers prohibited.
What time do gates open at Ford Field?
Gates typically open about two hours before Detroit Lions kickoffs; parking lots generally open about four hours before kickoff.
Where do you park at Ford Field?
Parking is available in surface lots and the Ford Field Parking Deck around the stadium on a first-come, first-served basis, with advance booking available through the stadium’s ParkWhiz partnership.
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