Detroit Lions
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
City
Detroit
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
MI
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
Ford Field
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
48226
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Guide url
https://www.fordfield.com/plan-your-visit/parking
Source statement; not independently verified.
Hours
Lots/garages adjacent to Ford Field generally open 4 hours prior to kickoff.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
Season parking available with Detroit Lions season ticket memberships; premium/suite parking in closest decks.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
QLINE streetcar, Detroit People Mover, and DDOT/SMART buses all serve the stadium area (see Transit section).
Source statement; not independently verified.
Recommended lots
Ford Field Garage for direct enclosed walkway; Brush St Garage for north entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
I-75/I-375 exit ramps at Madison/Gratiot back up before kickoff; Brush St and Adams Ave near the stadium are congested post-game — many locals exit via Gratiot Ave or surface streets north to I-75.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
App
Transit app and Dart app (DDOT/SMART); qlinedetroit.com and thepeoplemover.com for schedules.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
None.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Dropoff
N/A.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Frequency
SMART FAST buses run roughly every 15-30 minutes on corridor routes; check smartbus.org for Sunday schedules.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
With the People Mover and QLINE both within blocks, dedicated shuttles have not been needed; verify any event-specific shuttles per event at fordfield.com.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
N/A — SMART FAST express buses serve as the de facto suburban gameday service.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
N/A; some Greektown/downtown bars run informal gameday shuttles.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Share distance
~2-3 blocks (Grand Circus/Broadway area stations).
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share station
MoGo stations in the immediate downtown core, including near Broadway/Grand Circus Park, within a few blocks of Ford Field.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Valet
None published.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Fun fact
Ford Field's seating bowl sits 45 feet below street level, so most fans enter at or above concourse level and walk down — a design that aids accessibility.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Sensory
Dedicated Sensory Room (access via any Guest Services desk) and Bose noise-cancelling sensory kits available to borrow at Guest Services.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Trained service animals are welcome; they must remain on a leash/harness and under handler control.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Parking Apps Accepted
ParkWhiz (official partner); SpotHero and others for third-party lots.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Capacity (source context unspecified)
65,000
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
65,000.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
Ford Field (naming rights held by Ford Motor Company since opening).
Source statement; not independently verified.
Records
WrestleMania 23 drew a stadium-record 80,103; the 2003 Basketbowl (Kentucky vs. Michigan State) set the then-largest basketball crowd at 78,129; Calvin Johnson capped his NFL-record 1,964-yard receiving season (2012) at Ford Field.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Lions retired numbers 7 (Dutch Clark), 20 (Barry Sanders), 22 (Bobby Layne), 37 (Doak Walker), 56 (Joe Schmidt), 85 (Chuck Hughes); the "Pride of the Lions" ring of honor is displayed on the former Hudson's warehouse wall.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Climate
Fully enclosed and climate-controlled (~70°F year-round) — a major advantage for fans during Michigan winters.
Source statement; not independently verified.
Expandable capacity
Expandable to roughly 70,000 for football special events; 70,000-80,000+ for basketball, wrestling and concerts (WrestleMania 23 drew 80,103).
Source statement; not independently verified.
Features
Twin end-zone HD videoboards, each 39.5 ft tall by 152.5 ft wide (added 2017); integrated Hudson's warehouse south wall.
Source statement; not independently verified.