The most-attended NFL Draft in league history paid huge dividends for the host region.
Visit Detroit, the official convention and visitors' bureau for southeastern lower Michigan, and the Michigan Sports Commission, announced on Thursday that the 2024 NFL Draft in downtown Detroit generated $213.6 million U.S. in economic revenue for the city and the region.
The Draft was held over three days in late April.
"That spending went into the pockets of Detroit businesses and will help strengthen our community for years to come," said Visit Detroit CEO Claude Molinari. "I am also proud that more than 50 million people watched Detroit shine on national television, which will be critical for Michigan’s long-term population and economic growth."
A record-breaking 775,000 jammed Detroit's downtown core over the three-day event, shattering attendance records.
The economic impact report, commissioned by Visit Detroit and prepared by Dr. Patrick Rishe, director of the Sports Business Program at Washington University in St. Louis, said that 30.2 per cent of attendees travelled at least 100 miles (160 kilometres) to Detroit for the Draft.
The Draft drew visitors from all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and 18 other countries. One fan travelled 17,700 kilometres from Australia to Detroit for the Draft.
The report also highlighted community benefits. About $12.1-million US was spent at Black or minority-owned businesses. Forty per cent of the local contracts signed with the NFL were with minority-owned entities.
The Detroit Sports Commission’s Living Legacy Initiative helped distribute $1.5-million in grants to local non-profit organizations, according to the report.
Hotel occupancy in the region peaked at 92 per cent on Thursday, the first day of the Draft, and never went below 74 per cent between Wednesday and Saturday.
The City of Windsor brought crowds to its core during the Draft by offering viewing opportunities at downtown businesses. On the Saturday of the Draft, an NFL viewing party took place at Windsor City Hall, followed by a block party on Ouellette Avenue.
The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for Green Bay, Wisconsin.
