Ford Field

Rising prominently against the skyline of downtown Detroit, Ford Field represents a triumphant homecoming for the National Football League’s Detroit Lions and a cornerstone of the city’s urban revitalization. After playing for nearly three decades in the suburban Pontiac Silverdome, the Lions returned to the city’s historic core with the opening of this indoor facility in 2002. Debuting alongside its neighbor, Comerica Park, the stadium helped re-establish a centralized sporting culture in downtown Detroit. The venue was designed by the architectural firm SmithGroup, which prioritized adaptive reuse by integrating the former Hudson’s department store warehouse, a 1920s structure, into the stadium’s southern side to house luxury suites and premium amenities. To accommodate the warehouse while maintaining a manageable profile, the playing field was excavated below street level. The stadium features a fixed roof supported by structural steel, designed to withstand Detroit’s harsh winters, while incorporating large glass windows and skylights that allow natural light to reach the turf. With a seating capacity of approximately 65,000, Ford Field has hosted prestigious events including Super Bowl XL in 2006 and WrestleMania 23 in 2007, the latter of which set the venue's all-time attendance record. Beyond its role as a football fortress, the stadium has served as a versatile host for college football bowl games, concerts, and emergency events, such as when it hosted an NFL game in 2010 following the roof collapse of the Metrodome in Minnesota. Following a significant $100 million renovation completed prior to the 2017 season, the stadium continues to serve as a vital hub for the community and a symbol of Detroit’s resilience.