It is time to pack the brats, perhaps some beverages and definitely as much Honolulu blue as one can wear — the Detroit Lions are back in town.
The Lions will play their first home game of the season Sept. 14 against the Chicago Bears, and Lions fanatics are set to return to tailgating festivities at Eastern Market.
Eastern Market leadership made some changes to their tailgating offerings following the fatal shooting of two people at the site in 2024, and President and CEO of the Eastern Market Partnership Katy Trudeau tells the Free Press her team has been collaborating with Detroit police ahead of the new season.
Her team is excited to bring Eastern Market tailgating back, she said.
Here’s what to know about Detroit Lions tailgating at Eastern Market this year:
Are there Detroit Lions tailgating spots left in Eastern Market?
As of about 8 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, nearly all sites were sold for the first home game, and only some RV tailgating spots were left. Numerous spots were available for other home games this year.
Some groups book their spots far in advance, but there’s also an uptick in sales the week or two before a game in question, Trudeau said.
Where can I buy Eastern Market tailgating tickets for 2025?
Tickets need to be purchased online ahead of time through easternmarket.org and their ticket partner.
What’s different with Eastern Market Lions tailgating in 2025?
Eastern Market tailgating will look similar to tailgating following the shooting last year.
There are fewer tailgating spots available because the spots are bigger now — two parking spots for the smallest tailgating site. That’s to aid with cleanliness and emergency vehicle access, Trudeau said.
Additionally, staff will more closely track the number of tailgaters at a site through the allotment of wristbands.
The wristbands make it easier to enforce the limit on tailgate attendees, Trudeau said.
The smallest site available for purchase comes with 10 wristbands, and the largest comes with 20.
What safety measures are being taken this year?
Weapons were not allowed at the tailgating site before the shooting, Trudeau said, and they aren’t allowed now.
False weapons, such as toy guns or costume-related swords, knives, hatchets or bombs, are also prohibited, according to a list of Eastern Market tailgating rules online.
Eastern Market will again have a security firm on-site, and leaders have increased their level of collaboration with the Detroit Police Department, Trudeau said.
What are the Detroit police doing for Detroit Lions tailgating?
There will be an increased police presence at all areas where tailgating takes place in the city and at Eastern Market in particular, said Jasmin Barmore, Detroit police director of media relations. Barmore previously worked at the Free Press.
Those downtown for the game should make sure to drink responsibly, take a rideshare instead of driving drunk, engage in conflict resolution if interactions get heated and grab an officer if needed.
A key bit of advice? “Patience with each other.”
“We want people to have a good time, but we want people to be safe,” Barmore said.
What are the rules for tailgating at Eastern Market?
Eastern Market has a robust list of rules online, Trudeau said.
The list includes:
Oh, and failure to follow instructions from Eastern Market personnel could get you kicked out.
What happened with the 2024 Eastern Market shooting at the Detroit Lions tailgate?
There was a game that day, at 1 p.m. Sept. 15, 2024, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The shooting was reported in Eastern Market about 4:30 p.m.
There was an alleged physical altercation, and about five men then got in a subsequent verbal argument, according to Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s office.
CPL holder Jalen Welch, 25, of Detroit, walked into the argument holding a gun in a threatening manner while approaching a 40-year-old, according to prosecutors.
That 40-year-old — who has not been named — was also a CPL holder. He fired a shot at Welch. The bullet exited Welch’s head and then hit bystander Rayshawn Bryant, 40, of Detroit, who was trying to act as a peacemaker.
Ultimately, Worthy determined the unnamed shooter acted in self-defense.
Bryant went by the last name of Palmer, that of his adopted family. His family has since filed a lawsuit for negligence against Eastern Market, the security group Shield Security and the organizer of a VIP tailgate, Bullseye Event Group.
Trudeau declined to comment on the lawsuit. She confirmed the market is still using Shield Security.
Asked about how her team is feeling headed into this tailgating season following last year’s shooting and any response from the public, Trudeau said there’s an understanding that it was an isolated incident.
Tailgaters continued to come out in droves during the Lions’ run the rest of last season.
Of the new tailgating season, Trudeau said: “We’re just happy to bring it back.”
Reporter Andrea May Sahouri contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions tailgating guide: Tickets, rules, and safety at Eastern Market in 2025
Reporting by Darcie Moran, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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