Detroit Lions to Host 2024 NFL Draft over Packers, Commanders

The Detroit Lions have been awarded the 2024 NFL draft, per the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, beating out the Green Bay Packers and Washington Commanders. 

Las Vegas will serve as hosts for the 2022 event, while Kansas City will handle those duties in 2023. 

"The draft has become a prominent offseason event across the country, and we are excited to work with the Lions and their partners to bring the 2024 NFL Draft to the Motor City," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "With the help of Visit Detroit, the Detroit Sports Commission, and the city of Detroit, the Lions passionate fan base and all visitors will be treated to an incredible three-day experience." 

Between 1965 and 2014, the event was exclusively held in New York City, with the Radio City Music Hall serving as the venue from 2006-14. But the NFL has since opened up hosting rights for a number of other cities, allowing Chicago (2015-16), Philadelphia (2017), Arlington, Texas (2018), Nashville, Tennessee (2019) and Cleveland (2021) to host. 

The 2020 event was handled completely remotely and digitally because of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News, current plans for the 2024 event are to hold it at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit.

"We'll be using a lot of the venues in downtown, including the Fox Theatre will be part of it; Hart Plaza will be part of it," team president and CEO Rod Wood said. "Hopefully we'll have some music events at Ford Field and maybe even Little Caesars [Arena], so it will be throughout the whole city.” 

The announcement comes on the same day that HBO and NFL Films revealed that the Lions would be the focus of this summer's Hard Knocks series. 

"We are excited about the opportunity to showcase the City of Detroit and the amazing culture we are building at the Lions," Wood said in a statement. "HBO Sports and NFL Films are the best of the best, and we know they will be excellent partners in sharing our story with football fans around the world."

The Lions will be the 15th NFL team featured on the series. Last season, the Dallas Cowboys were the featured team during training camp and the preseason, while the Indianapolis Colts became the first team ever featured for an in-season version of the show.