
The 2024 NFL Draft, along with 35 amateur sporting events hosted in metro Detroit last year, generated a record-breaking $195 million in direct visitor spending, according to a new report from the Detroit Sports Commission.
Leading the way, the NFL Draft brought a record-setting 775,000 attendees to downtown Detroit, with visitors spending $161.3 million across southeast Michigan.
The 2024 Annual Report shows Detroit is increasingly being perceived as a premier destination for sporting events. Overall, the region drew more than 18,000 participants and 850,000 spectators last year.
Other notable events detailed in the report include:
- 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Midwest Regional: Held at Little Caesars Arena, the two-day event attracted more than 37,000 fans and generated $8.3 million in visitor spending (Purdue advanced to its first Final Four since 1980).
- Amateur Sports Events: Huntington Place hosted two major AAU Volleyball tournaments, each featuring more than 80 courts and drawing 13,000 participants. The region reinforced its reputation as a bowling hub by hosting three national youth tournaments with 3,500 participants.
- Summer Highlights: USA BMX Stars & Stripes National, St. Croix Bassmaster Open, U.S. Junior Amateur Championship, and the Cairns Cup.
Additionally, DSC’s efforts in 2024 supported minority-owned businesses through a comprehensive strategy launched alongside the NFL Draft. The initiative connected more than 250 local minority-owned businesses with contracting and professional development opportunities, resulting in over $12.1 million in investments.
“(It) was a milestone year for the Detroit Sports Commission, not only in terms of direct visitor spending but also through meaningful community engagement and youth initiatives,” says Dave Beachnau, executive director of the commission. “As we look ahead to 2025, we remain committed to showcasing Detroit as a premier destination for sporting events that drive growth and create lasting benefits for the community.”
Through its Community Engagement Program and the Living Legacy Initiative, last year the DSC raised more than $1.5 million in support of youth literacy, active play programs, and increased opportunities for girls’ participation in sports.
“We were able to renew our commitment to the Detroit community in an impactful and lasting way,” says Marty Dobek, deputy director of the commission. “This would not have been possible without collaboration from our local civic, corporate, and philanthropic partners who energized our mission and ensured our initiatives supported causes that are important to our community.”
Going forward, the Detroit Sports Commission has secured:
- The 2028 Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena, marking the event’s Detroit debut from March 1–5, 2028.
- The 2028 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Regional, returning to Little Caesars Arena on March 24 and 26, 2028.
For more information on the Detroit Sports Commission or to read the full 2024 Annual Report, visit here.