Why Now is the Perfect Time to Catch a Detroit Sporting Event – Here’s What Visitors Need to Know
The City of Detroit is one of the best in the country for sports. Not only do we have five professional teams (football, baseball, hockey, basketball and soccer) – we also have numerous minor league teams.
There have been books, documentaries and more about the sports teams in the City of Detroit, and 2025 is gearing up to be an incredible year for sports in the Motor city once again. In fact, all five teams have the possibility to make the playoffs this year and into 2026!
If you’re visiting Detroit or looking for a great day or night at a game, here’s your guide to Detroit sports in 2025.
Major League Sports
From the Bad Boys to the “Goin’ to Work” Pistons in the early 2000s, the Detroit Pistons have been in the city since 1957 and have three NBA Championships, their most recent in 2004.
Detroit started off their 2024-25 season with a new president and coach. It was much-needed after the Pistons finished with the league’s worst record – 14-68. They also tied the NBA record for losing 28 straight games.
But that’s all in the past. The team hired Trajan Langdon as the president of basketball operations and then J.B. Bickerstaff in the offseason and they brought fresh energy to the team!
That energy has flowed throughout the team, led by star guard Cade Cunningham. The 2021 No. 1 pick made his first all star team this season. As of early March, it appears the Pistons will make the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and they’re on pace for their most wins in a regular season in years.
There are still plenty of home games left to see the team at Little Caesars Arena. Their final home game of the season is set for April 11.
The Detroit Red Wings are one of the “Original 6” teams in the NHL and one of the most well-known hockey teams around the world. They were founded in 1926 – joining the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers to finish out the original six teams in the NHL. They have won 11 Stanley Cups, the most recent in 2008.
The Red Wings have had up-and-down stretches where they’ve been known as the “Dead Wings” and also where they’ve won four Stanley Cups in a decade. However, recently, they haven’t made the playoffs since 2016.
In 2019, the Red Wings brought back longtime captain Steve Yzerman as the new general manager, and he’s been in the process of building a team that is hoping to get back to the playoffs. They were close in 2024, and are once again fighting for a playoff spot in 2025.
Detroit is led by a local player – Dylan Larkin, who is the team’s captain and grew up in Waterford. Other long-term players to watch for the Red Wings include forward Lucas Raymond and defenseman Moritz Seider – both of whom got locked up with long-term deals before this season.
The Red Wings still have several games at Little Caesars Arena this season. Their final home game is on Monday, April 14.
The Detroit Tigers started playing in the city in 1894 and played their first major league game in 1901. The Tigers are known for the iconic “Olde English D” logo and they have won four World Series titles, the most recent in 1984.
Last season, Detroit shocked everyone by being the hottest team in baseball for the final two months of the season and clinching their first playoff spot since 2014. Then, Detroit went on a run that included beating the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card round. They eventually lost to the Cleveland Guardians in the divisional round.
Opening Day in Detroit is a holiday with hundreds of thousands of fans converging on Downtown Detroit at the start of April. Many take the day off and spend the day tailgating, at block parties, and celebrating what they hope is a successful season to come. In 2025, Opening Day is Friday, April 4.
Fans and the Tigers hope that 2025 has even more success than 2024. They’re led by Manager A.J. Hinch and American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, who was one of the best pitchers in baseball last season. In the offseason, the Tigers also brought back pitcher Jack Flaherty and other players. They also have a trio of great outfielders with Riley Greene in left, Kerry Carpenter in right and Parker Meadows in center.
The Detroit Lions started in Ohio but moved to Detroit in 1934. While the team has been known for its struggles, they’ve had a new look in the past few years. The Lions have won four NFL Championships but are also known for being one of four teams that have never made the Super Bowl.
The Lions are on one of their best runs in team history behind general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.
Last season, they had high expectations with hopes to go to the Super Bowl. They won the NFC and had the best record in their conference, but were eliminated from the playoffs in the divisional round by the Washington Commanders. The year before, they became the darlings of the league as they made it to the NFC Championship and were just one win from their first-ever Super Bowl.
There are still high expectations once again for the team heading into the 2025 season. Their offense is led by quarterback Jared Goff, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. On defense, metro Detroit native and Michigan alum Aidan Hutchinson is one of the best edge rushers in the league, and linebacker Alex Anzalone leads the team as a captain.
The Lions will play their NFC North rivals twice next season – the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. They’ll also host the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On the road, they’ll face the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Rams.
Detroit’s season kicks off with the preseason in August and then the first game the week after Labor Day.
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MINOR LEAGUE SPORTS
Detroit City FC started with humble roots playing on Belle Isle. The team stayed amateur before eventually turning professional with the National Independent Soccer Association. In 2021, they joined the USL Championship, the second, the second tier of professional soccer in the United States.
Also known as Le Rouge, DCFC plays its games at Keyworth Stadium, a historic stadium in Hamtramck. Their fans are known as the Northern Guard, and are known for the chants, smoke and flags at home games throughout the year. Check out our guide to attending a DCFC match here.
Detroit has made the playoffs in each of their first three years in the USL Championship, and they’ll look to do that once again in 2025 as their season begins. The first home match is on March 22. They also have beaten two Major League Soccer (MLS) teams – the Columbus Crew and Houston Dynamo FC during the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament of soccer teams in the United States.
Longtime captain Stephen Carroll returns to DCFC this season, along with Michael Bryant, Ben Morris and more.
Detroit City FC games are a full experience with food trucks, the Northern Guard, a historic stadium and more. You have to check out a game if you’re in town.
The return of the United States Football League (USFL) in 2022 also meant the return of the Michigan Panthers. The team originally played in Pontiac in the mid 1980s and won the inaugural USFL Championship in 1983. When the USFL merged with the XFL to create the UFL, the Panthers stayed in Detroit.
The team is coached by Mike Nolan, who has been a coach for several NFL teams, including the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
During the 2024 season, Panthers kicker Jake Bates became known for his long kicks and after the season, was signed to the Detroit Lions, moving up to the NFL. During the Lions season, he made 89.7% of his field goals, including going 6-8 from 50+ yards.
Michigan kicks off its season on March 30 on the road, and plays home games at Ford Field on April 4, April 13, April 18, May 4 and May 31. Tickets are on sale now and start at $22.
The Motor City Cruise are part of the NBA G League, the developmental league of the NBA. They are affiliated with the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons purchased the team in 2020 and they played their first season in 2021.
The Cruise play their games on the campus of Wayne State University at the fieldhouse. The team still has a few games left this season, and general admission tickets start at $10.
The United States Professional Baseball League (USPBL) is an independent baseball league in Macomb County, playing their games about 30 minutes north of Detroit. The league played its first season in 2016.
There are four teams in the league: Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers, Eastside Diamond Hoppers, Utica Unicorns and Westside Woolly Mammoths.
At Jimmy John’s Field, fans can sit behind home plate and down the baselines, with general admission outfield seating on the lawn. Tickets start at just $6 and range up to $35 in advance, with the league offering a variety of specials and themes during the season.
The first game is May 16.
The Detroit Prowl are part of the American Women’s Football League, a professional women’s tackle football league. The league says they are “revolutionizing women’s football, bringing a fresh, professional approach to a sport long overdue for recognition and growth.”
The Prowl kick off their season on April 5 but their first home game is on May 3 in Allen Park, about 15 minutes southwest of Detroit.
Plaid Tie Dinner1801 Atwater St
Detroit, Michigan 48207
MDNR Outdoor Adventure Center 1801 Atwater St Detroit, Michigan 48207 (313) 396-6886 Website
DCFC Home Opener Pre-Game & March to the Match8850 Jos Campau Ave.
Hamtramck, Michigan 48212
New Dodge Lounge 8850 Jos Campau Ave. Hamtramck, Michigan 48212 (313) 241-8331 Website
Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Hooper-themed Giveaway)2645 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Little Caesars Arena 2645 Woodward Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48201 (313) 471-7000 Website
Detroit Pistons vs. San Antonio Spurs2645 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Little Caesars Arena 2645 Woodward Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48201 (313) 471-7000 Website
Detroit Red Wings vs. Ottawa Senators – 80's Throwback Night2645 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Little Caesars Arena 2645 Woodward Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48201 (313) 471-7000 Website
Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Pride Night)2645 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201
Little Caesars Arena 2645 Woodward Ave. Detroit, Michigan 48201 (313) 471-7000 Website
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