Detroit's downtown sports and entertainment district has grown into one of the busiest stretches in the city. Between the football stadium, the baseball park, and the downtown arena, the area draws a steady flow of visitors most days of the year, not just when a team is playing.
Placement around the venues
Woodward Avenue between I-75 and Grand River acts as a natural funnel for people heading to games, concerts, and shows. Locations near the Fox Theatre, the Detroit Opera House, and the Music Hall for the Performing Arts catch audiences heading to performances throughout the year, not just during sports seasons.
Foot traffic around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza has grown as the district has become more walkable, and outdoor advertising along that stretch reaches people moving between restaurants, offices, and venues.
Game day traffic
Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings games create predictable surges along specific routes. I-75 near the Brush Street exit backs up heavily before and after events, which makes billboards in that stretch valuable simply because drivers have more time to look. The Lodge Freeway's southbound approach downtown sees similar traffic from fans coming in from the northern suburbs.
Beyond game days
The district does not go quiet when there is no game on the schedule. Restaurants, hotels, and shops have expanded around the venues, and that growth keeps traffic steady on non-event days. The Greektown corridor in particular draws a consistent mix of tourists and local diners who are not there for a specific event.
Downtown's convention business adds another layer to the mix. Business travelers and convention attendees are a different audience than sports fans, and a well-placed board in this district can reach both from the same spot.
Corktown and Eastern Market
Corktown's revitalization, anchored by the restoration of Michigan Central Station, has opened up new advertising opportunities along Michigan Avenue as young professionals and families move into the area. Eastern Market has grown past its weekend farmers market roots too, with restaurants and breweries pulling in visitors throughout the week along Russell Street and Gratiot Avenue.
Transit adds reach
The QLine streetcar runs the length of Woodward Avenue, and riders waiting at stops or moving between downtown and New Center represent a captive audience for boards placed along the route. Bus traffic converging near the downtown transit center adds commuters and visitors using public transit to reach the district.
Planning around the calendar
A campaign in this district benefits from paying attention to the schedule. Playoff runs, opening day, and a busy summer concert lineup each bring a different mix of people through the area, so it is worth thinking about which audience you actually want to reach before picking a flight length.
Ready to see what is available near Detroit's sports and entertainment district? Call for a free quote and current availability for the corridors that fit your audience.