Ford Field has been the home stadium of the Detroit Lions, Michigan's professional football team, since August of 2002. This stadium is also used for concerts, college sports games, and other events when not being used by the Lions. The decision was made in 1996, when the team announced their intentions to build a new domed stadium adjacent to Comerica Park, the new Detroit Tigers baseball park. In November of that year, Wayne County voters approved the plans overwhelmingly, and construction began in 1999 with a Lions groundbreaking ceremony at which they announced the stadium's name and the design plans.
The Ford Field complex covers nearly 1.8 million square feet, which includes the field itself, seating, and ground level restaurants, concessions, and stores. Costing over $500 million to complete, this stadium is unique in that it incorporated an existing historical building in its design. Hudson's Warehouse is part of the stadium and includes room for banquets, office space, food courts, a lounge, and all of the private suits. A seven-story atrium in the warehouse gives fans a view overlooking the city of Detroit. Overall, many experts believe that Ford Field has the best views of any United States football stadium. Along with the atrium, there are no high-level club and suite seats, so the upper level is lower, giving fans watching the game a great view of the city as well. This is keeping with the design of neighboring Comerica Park, which is also known for its low upper level and great views.
Ford Field has 65,000 seats for fans, including 8,500 club seats that come with private lounges, food service, and preferred parking. There are 132 suites, with a capacity of 8 to 30 people, depending on the type of suite. Most of these suites are located in the warehouse. There are seven gated entrances to the stadium, leading to 32 main entrance doors, and players make use of 11 different locker rooms.
There are a number of rental options for those wishing to hold events at Ford Field. These include the Hall of Legends banquet room, the South Cove reception area, the Atrium, the Adams Street reception area on the Main Concourse level, and, of course, the Detroit Lions playing field itself. Levy Restaurants, the food service company that runs all of the concessions and restaurants at Ford Field, is available to cater any booked event.
Ford Field also has leasing options for Detroit businesses that want to relocate to the Ford Field complex. From 1913 to 1995, the warehouse was adjacent to a number of Hudson Department Stores. They have now been renovated to allow modern business to move in, and they already provide covered parking for customers, elevators, ATMs, and a coffee shop and cafy.
For visitors interested in getting to know more about Ford Field, both public and private tours are available. From June to December, public walk-up tours are given at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from January to May they are given at the same times on just Mondays and Fridays. No advance reservations are needed. Private tours for groups of 25 or more can be scheduled any time Monday through Friday, and they have weekend or evening tour time available for groups of 75 or more. Tours can be books by calling 313-262-2396.
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