DETROIT (WWJ) -- In less than a year, half-a-million football fans will descend on the Motor City for the 2024 NFL Draft. As the 2023 Draft continues in Kansas City, Missouri, a group of Detroit leaders and organizers are mixed among the crowd, making plans for next April.
Claude Molinari, CEO of Visit Detroit, joined WWJ's Jonathan Carlson and Jackie Paige on the LIVE line this morning and shared his insights on how hosting the Draft will affect the city.
"Oh my god, I am so thrilled," Molinari said. Now that the 365-day countdown mark has passed, the chief executive says the event has become very real.
Having observed the setup and met with their counterparts in Kansas City, Molinari says the Detroit team will be focused on bringing as many interactive elements as possible to Detroit, giving fans a truly immersive experience.
Molinari also expects a large local turnout, similar to the sea of red their seeing from Chiefs fans this weekend.
"I imagine in Detroit next year, it'll be a Honolulu blue spectacle."
This will be the first time the since Super Bowl XL in 2007 that the full force of the NFL makes its way to Detroit, and Molinari believes hosting the NFL Draft will be an even bigger deal for the city.
While the Big Game brought around 70,000 fans to Ford Field, the Draft draws more than 500,000 visitors and garners national and international attention.
"It's going to be an amazing perception change for Detroit and Southeast Michigan."
According to Molinari, the Visit Detroit team has been working with the Downtown Detroit Partnership, the Department of Public Works, Mayor Duggan's office and the Detroit Police Department to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Giving listeners a preview, the main stage will be set up across Campus Martius and Cadillac Square with Heart Plaza and the surrounding parks featuring interactive fan zones where the more ambitious football lovers can show off their skills.
Mayor Duggan has said that the Draft could bring well over $100 million into Detroit, expecting the event to be a windfall for hotels, restaurants, venues and tourist attractions in the Metro area.
"The spillover effect... is going to be enormous," Molinari said.
The 2024 NFL Draft will kick off in Downtown Detroit on Thursday, April 24, 2024.
