Ford Field parking ranges from $10-$60+ across official stadium lots and surrounding garages. Detroit Lions game day parking passes can be prepaid online for the closest lots, with cheaper options available within walking distance of the venue. Tailgating is allowed in designated lots only; find lot maps, ADA accessible parking, and rideshare drop-off details below.
Common questions
How much is parking at Ford Field?
Where can I find cheap parking near Ford Field?
Where do I park for a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field?
Can you tailgate at Ford Field?
How Much Is Parking at Ford Field?
Parking at Ford Field for a Detroit Lions game typically costs between $10 and $60+, depending on how close you park and how early you book.
Official garages adjacent to the stadium, including the Ford Field Parking Deck and Lots 4, 5, and 6, run $40-$60 for NFL game days, with premium and VIP options pushing $75 or higher for marquee matchups. These lots offer the closest walk to the gates and covered options, but no tailgating is permitted inside them.
For fans looking to spend less, Greektown lots located roughly 5-10 minutes on foot from the stadium run $15-$20, offering a solid middle ground. Eastern Market, about a 10-15 minute walk east of Ford Field, is the true budget option: parking-only spaces go for as low as $10, while a full tailgating pass with parking runs around $40 total.
Pricing rises sharply for primetime games, rivalry weeks, and the annual Thanksgiving home game. Fans attending those contests should book prepaid parking through ParkWhiz, SpotHero, or SeatGeek well in advance to lock in lower rates.
Ford Field Parking Lots and Maps
Ford Field does not own dedicated surface lots, all nearby parking is operated by third-party facilities, though several garages are directly adjacent to the stadium and function as the de facto official options.
The Ford Field Parking Deck sits just east of the stadium on St. Antoine Street and is one of the two closest options to the gates, typically priced at $40-$60 on game days. Lot 4 is located just north of Ford Field, east of Brush Street and south of Montcalm Street, accessible from Montcalm. Lots 5 and 6 are managed by ABM Parking Services and are among the suggested facilities on the official Ford Field parking map. The Lions/Tigers Garage, operated by Olympia Development, is another top-tier option and is shared with fans attending Detroit Tigers games at nearby Comerica Park.
For additional parking, the official Ford Field parking map also lists facilities at Times Square, Grand Circus Park, Broadway, Cadillac Center, Greektown, Bricktown, and the Renaissance Center area, each served by different operators including Central Parking Systems, Miller Parking, and Prime Parking. Fans can compare all nearby garages and reserve spaces through ParkWhiz, the official parking partner listed on fordfield.com, or through SpotHero and SeatGeek.
Access to Ford Field parking facilities generally opens four hours prior to kickoff. Reserving a specific space is not typically allowed inside official lots, attendants direct vehicles to available spaces once you arrive with a valid pass.
Preferred/Premium Parking at Ford Field
The closest and most convenient parking to Ford Field is the Ford Field Parking Deck on St. Antoine Street and Lot 4 on Montcalm Street, both of which sit steps from the stadium gates and are priced at $40-$60 for standard Lions games.
For premium and VIP-level proximity, some third-party lots immediately surrounding the stadium charge $75 or more on high-demand game days, particularly for primetime Sunday night or Monday night games, NFC North rivalry matchups, and the Thanksgiving home game. DIY tailgaters who want downtown surface lots close to the gates can expect to pay $55-$175 depending on the event and how close to kickoff they book.
Fans attending back-to-back events, for instance, a Lions game plus a Red Wings or Pistons game at nearby Little Caesars Arena, can park once in a centrally located garage and walk between venues. Ford Field and Little Caesars Arena are a 5-10 minute walk apart within The District Detroit, making shared parking a cost-effective strategy on overlap days.
All premium parking near Ford Field can be pre-purchased through ParkWhiz (the venue’s official booking partner), SpotHero, or SeatGeek. Booking ahead is especially important for sellouts, when prime-time Lions games fill premium lots well in advance of kickoff.
Free Parking Near Ford Field
There is no dedicated free parking at or immediately around Ford Field, but budget-conscious fans have a few options worth knowing about.
On-street metered parking is available in designated zones in downtown Detroit, and enforcement does not take place on Sundays according to city policy, meaning Sunday afternoon Lions games are the best opportunity to find a free legal spot on the street. However, vehicles blocking crosswalks, driveways, alleys, bus stops, or fire hydrants can still be ticketed and towed regardless of the day.
Eastern Market, roughly a mile east of Ford Field, offers the cheapest paid lot parking in the area at around $10 for parking-only spaces on game days. That $10 fee is the floor of the nearby parking market and is significantly cheaper than the $40-$60 charged at official adjacent garages.
For fans coming from Midtown or Wayne State University, the QLine offers a $5 Park and Ride option from Lot 12 at Wayne State (6050 Woodward Ave) near the QLine Amsterdam stop, making it possible to avoid paying for downtown parking altogether. The best truly free option is staying at a downtown hotel within walking distance of the stadium, which eliminates the parking cost entirely.
Can You Tailgate at Ford Field?
Tailgating is not permitted in the parking facilities directly adjacent to Ford Field, grilling and re-entry access are prohibited in those garages, but Detroit Lions fans have one of the most distinctive tailgate scenes in the NFL at Eastern Market.
Eastern Market, located about a mile northeast of Ford Field and a 10-15 minute walk away, is the primary tailgating hub for Lions game days. Thousands of fans gather there among the historic market sheds for a full pre-game experience. Tailgating and parking-only spaces are sold in advance on the Eastern Market website, with reservations available around Sheds 2 and 3. Parking lots at Eastern Market open at 7 a.m., and a full tailgating pass, parking plus tailgate space, runs around $40 total. Note that tickets are required to tailgate at Eastern Market; parking-only costs around $10. Shuttles run between Eastern Market and Ford Field every 15 minutes starting three hours before kickoff for $5 per ride.
Right outside the stadium, the Detroit Lions host a free official pre-game event called Pride Plaza on Brush Street, starting at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The event features food trucks, Bud Light bars, beverage tents, music, and interactive fan games, no game ticket required to attend Pride Plaza. Fans with game tickets can also enter Ford Field early for Power Hour, which features food and drink specials before kickoff.
For fans who want to tailgate closer to the stadium, some general downtown lots east of Ford Field permit light informal tailgating around your vehicle. Expect to pay $55 or more for these spots, and confirm tailgating is allowed with the lot operator before booking.
ADA and Handicap Parking at Ford Field
All Ford Field parking facilities are ADA compliant, and dedicated accessible parking is available on game days at two specific locations.
Lot 4, located just north of Ford Field, east of Brush Street and south of Montcalm Street, provides accessible spaces and is entered from Montcalm Street. The Ford Field Parking Deck on St. Antoine Street off Madison also offers accessible parking. Spots in both locations are available on a first-come, first-served basis to guests with the appropriate disabled permit and a state-issued license plate or placard.
ADA drop-off and pick-up areas are located at two points around the stadium: the corner of Montcalm and Brush near Gate B (Section 133), and at Adams and John R outside Gate A (Section 100). Guests should inform parking directors that they are heading to the drop-off and pick-up area upon arrival. Gates A, B, C, D, and G are equipped with accessible security lanes marked by blue ADA signs, and guests may approach those lanes regardless of other line lengths. Ford Field has 15 elevators, 8 escalators, and 5 accessible ramps throughout the stadium to assist with interior navigation. Guests needing special ADA accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, should contact guest services at least three weeks before the event at guest.services@lions.nfl.net.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at Ford Field
Uber and Lyft both serve Ford Field on every Detroit Lions game day, and the designated rideshare drop-off zone is clearly marked.
The primary rideshare drop-off and pick-up area is along East Fisher Service Drive between John R Street and Brush Street, located a short walk north of the stadium. The designated zone also runs along Brush Street between Adams and Montcalm, routing passengers directly toward the main gate area without crossing major traffic arteries. Fans should use the in-app navigation to the correct drop-off point, as street closures and game-day road management can shift access depending on the matchup.
Post-game pickup zones are typically along the same Brush Street corridor and along Beacon Street, though exact locations can shift based on game-day operations, check the Ford Field app for real-time post-game rideshare guidance. Surge pricing after Lions games is moderate; fans willing to walk a few blocks to Greektown or wait 10-15 minutes for the initial post-game surge to pass will typically see rates drop. From downtown Detroit hotels, rideshare fares to Ford Field run roughly $6-$12 one-way under normal conditions.
Public Transit to Ford Field
Ford Field is one of the most transit-accessible NFL stadiums in the country, with multiple options serving the downtown Detroit corridor.
The Detroit QLine streetcar runs north-south along Woodward Avenue and is the most convenient option for fans staying in Midtown or along the Woodward corridor. The Grand Circus Park stop puts fans about a 5-minute walk from Ford Field. The fare is approximately $1.50 one-way, making it the cheapest transit option available. Fans coming from downtown hotels near the Renaissance Center, Westin, or Book Cadillac are typically 5-8 minutes from the stadium by QLine. The QLine runs until midnight after major events, though boarding can be crowded for 30-45 minutes immediately post-game.
The Detroit People Mover, an automated rail system that loops through downtown with 13 stations, also serves Ford Field fans. The Grand Circus Park station is directly adjacent to the stadium. The fare is just $0.75, making it the cheapest single-ride option in the area. Note that the People Mover has periodically closed for track maintenance, confirm operating status before game day at the Detroit People Mover website.
Multiple DDOT and SMART bus routes also serve the downtown area. Key DDOT lines serving Ford Field include routes 1, 3, 4, 6, 31, and 261. SMART bus route 261 connects Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to downtown for $2, which is a practical option for out-of-town visitors flying in for a game. Most Lions games are played on Sundays, so fans should check weekend bus schedules in advance, as service frequency may differ from weekday schedules.
Ford Field Parking Tips
Arriving early is the single most effective way to reduce stress and cost on Lions game day. Official lots open approximately four hours before kickoff, and Eastern Market tailgating lots open as early as 7 a.m. Getting there 2-3 hours before the game gives you first pick of remaining walk-up spaces and time to enjoy pre-game festivities.
Book prepaid parking before game day whenever possible. ParkWhiz is the official Ford Field parking partner and lists all adjacent garages. SpotHero and SeatGeek also aggregate nearby options. Prepaying locks in your rate and eliminates drive-up price gouging, which can spike significantly on primetime and rivalry games. Primetime Lions games, particularly Thanksgiving, Sunday Night Football, and NFC North matchups against the Packers, Vikings, and Bears, sell out the closest premium lots weeks in advance.
For the best value, target Greektown lots at $15-$20 if you want a short walk without the $40-$60 official garage price tag. For budget parking with a full tailgate experience, Eastern Market at $10 for parking (or $40 with tailgating access) is the classic Lions fan move. A shuttle runs every 15 minutes from Eastern Market to the stadium starting three hours before kickoff.
Gate selection matters for entry speed. Gate A on Brush Street is the main entrance and typically has the longest lines. Gate D on Montcalm Street and Gates G and F on St. Antoine Street usually move faster. Ford Field is a cashless venue, bring a card or use digital pay. Cash-to-card kiosks are available inside Gates A through D if needed.
Heading to a show? See our Ford Field bag policy for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does parking cost at Ford Field for a Lions game?
Official garages adjacent to Ford Field cost $40-$60 for Detroit Lions games. Greektown lots run $15-$20, and Eastern Market offers parking-only for around $10 or a full tailgating package for about $40. Premium VIP lots near the stadium can exceed $75 on high-demand game days.
Where is the closest parking to Ford Field?
The Ford Field Parking Deck on St. Antoine Street and Lot 4 on Montcalm Street are the closest options to the stadium gates. Both are within steps of the venue and priced at $40-$60 on NFL game days. Book through ParkWhiz, the official Ford Field parking partner, to reserve in advance.
Can you tailgate at Ford Field?
Tailgating and grilling are prohibited in the parking facilities directly adjacent to Ford Field. The main tailgating hub is Eastern Market, about a mile northeast of the stadium, where fans can book parking and tailgating space in advance for around $40 total. The Lions also host a free Pride Plaza event on Brush Street right outside the stadium starting at 10:30 a.m. on game days.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at Ford Field?
The designated rideshare drop-off zone is along East Fisher Service Drive between John R Street and Brush Street, a short walk north of the stadium. Drop-off also occurs along Brush Street between Adams and Montcalm. Post-game pickup is typically along Brush Street and Beacon Street, check the Ford Field app for real-time locations after the game.
Is there ADA parking at Ford Field?
Yes. Accessible parking is available on game days in Lot 4 (enter from Montcalm Street, just north of Ford Field) and the Ford Field Parking Deck on St. Antoine Street. Spots are first-come, first-served for guests with a valid state-issued disability placard or license plate. ADA drop-off areas are at the corner of Montcalm and Brush near Gate B, and at Adams and John R near Gate A.
What is the cheapest way to get to Ford Field?
The cheapest transit option is the Detroit People Mover, which costs just $0.75 and stops at Grand Circus Park station directly adjacent to Ford Field. The QLine streetcar is also convenient at approximately $1.50 one-way, running along Woodward Avenue with a stop a 5-minute walk from the stadium. DDOT bus routes 1, 3, 4, 6, 31, and 261 also serve downtown Detroit at a low fare.
Can you prepay for parking at Ford Field?
Yes. ParkWhiz is the official parking platform for Ford Field and allows fans to compare and reserve spaces in advance. SpotHero and SeatGeek also list prepaid options for nearby garages and lots. Prepaying is strongly recommended for primetime and rivalry games, when the closest lots sell out well before kickoff.
Is there free parking near Ford Field?
There is no dedicated free parking at Ford Field. On Sundays, metered on-street parking in downtown Detroit is not enforced, giving fans a chance to find free legal street parking, but availability is limited and spots must not block driveways, crosswalks, or fire hydrants. The QLine’s $5 Park and Ride from Lot 12 at Wayne State University is the most affordable structured option for avoiding downtown parking costs.
