Early economic data emerging from the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit paints a picture of success beyond the record attendance numbers.
About 30% of people traveled more than 100 miles to attend the three-day April event, representing all 50 states and more than 20 countries, according to preliminary data gathered and shared Thursday, May 30, by Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission.
Detroit’s hotel occupancy reached 84% the evening leading up to the draft, 92% the first night, and 85% on the second night. Those rates met or exceeded rates from the 2006 Detroit-hosted Super Bowl, even with about 1,600 more hotel rooms in 2024.
The Draft especially benefited local Black-owned businesses, according to Kai Bowman, CEO of the Michigan Black Business Alliance.
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