| Detroit
Lions - Ford Field |
| Address: |
P.O. Box 441310
Detroit, MI 48244-1310 |
|
| Name: |
Ford Field |
| Home Team:
|
Detroit Lions |
| Capacity:
|
65,000 |
| Playing
Surface: |
Artificial Turf |
| Year Opened:
|
2002 |
|
Along with three other NFL teams,
the Detroit Lions began playing in a new stadium in 2002. After
more than two decades of playing at the Silverdome in Pontiac,
MI, the Lions and Detroit Tigers (MLB) first proposed to have
two new stadiums built in downtown Detroit in the mid 1990’s.
Construction on the Tigers new stadium, Comerica Park began
in 1997 and was completed by 1999. Voters approved a bond that
paid for 51% percent of the football stadium, while the team
paid the remaining 49% of the $430 million stadium. Appropriate
enough, Ford Motor Company purchased the naming rights to the
stadium, thus it was named Ford Field. Groundbreaking ceremonies
for Ford Field began on November 16, 1999.
The first game at Ford Field was
on September 22, 2002 vs. the Green Bay Packers. Ford Field
is one of the NFL’s most unique stadiums. It has 65,000
seats and has a fixed roof supported by two 18ft-wide concrete
columns. A structural-steel supported permanent dome was chosen
to cover the facility because of Detroit’s cold and
harsh winter weather. One of the unique aspects of Ford Field
is that the entire south wall of the stadium is made up of
two shelled-out J.L. Hudson's warehouses. The 80-year-old
buildings have been renovated to include 140 luxury suites
on three levels facing the playing field, along with other
uses like retail, restaurants and possibly a hotel. On the
south entrance of Ford Field is a six story glass atrium.
Fans receive tremendous views of the downtown Detroit’s
skyline through the atrium. This also allows natural light
inside the stadium. The FieldTurf playing field is 45 feet
below street level, allowing fans easier access to their seats.
Amenities at Ford Field include 7,000 club seats, 140 luxury
suites, a club lounge, banquet rooms, conference and convention
areas, and a Lions team store. Prior to its opening, Ford
Field was awarded Super Bowl XL in 2006.
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