After Roger Goodell’s Record Confirmation, Detroit 100k Away From Snatching Nashville’s NFL Draft Record

Detroit’s downtown is electric, buzzing with a sea of football faithful, as the NFL Draft turns the city into a gridiron carnival. The air is thick with anticipation, and the streets are a playbook of passion.

The first day of the Draft held at Motor City yesterday registered an attendance of  275,000 fans which broke the day one record of 200,000 held by Nashville for years.

Now breaking news from the heart of the action: WXYZ Detroit captures an aerial spectacle of the NFL Draft arena on day 2, a testament to the city’s spirit. Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a staggering 230,000 attendees, a mere 100,000 shy of the record. It’s a touchdown dance in the making, as Detroit eyes the number set by Nashville in 2019.

The city’s downtown, from Campus Martius Park to Hart Plaza, was swarmed with a sea of Honolulu Blue and Silver, as fans gathered to witness the Bears select USC quarterback Caleb Williams No. 1 overall on Day 1 starting the draft festivities.

Flashback to Nashville, where the 2019 NFL Draft set the bar high, drawing over 600,000 fans, a record that has stood tall like a defensive titan. But Detroit is in the red zone, ready to score and rewrite history.

Nashville’s 2019 NFL Draft even captured the TV world

Rewind to 2019, Nashville hosted the NFL Draft, turning the city into a football haven. Over 600,000 fans—more than the Nashville entire population of around 683,000, according to the 2022 Census —converged on the city, transforming it into the epicenter of the NFL universe. This was akin to the entire populace of cities like Buffalo, Reno, and Madison descending upon the Tennessee capital.

The draft was held at Lower Broadway, with the iconic Nashville skyline serving as the backdrop for a spectacle that was more than just a selection of players.

Fans from all corners of the country mingled with local music stars, creating a symphony of cheers and chants that echoed through the streets. The 2019 draft was not only a record-breaker in attendance but also the most-watched, with a 3.9 HH TV rating and an average of 6.1 million viewers. It was a moment that encapsulated the essence of Nashville—not just as Music City.

It was a testament to the city’s ability to host a party as grand as the NFL Draft, a feat that Detroit is now poised to surpass. Don’t miss a moment of the action. Join ES Fancast for LIVE coverage of the NFL Draft 2024.