:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46398024/CF79dPuWgAA07Ru.0.0.jpg)
Earlier in the offseason, the Detroit Lions promised that changes were coming to their home stadium as part of their "Ford Field 2.0" project. The specifics of those changes were kept private, but the Lions indicated that they were planning to modernize Ford Field with amenities that are commonly found in the NFL's newer stadiums.
On Tuesday, the Lions started unveiling some of their renovation plans by announcing the MGM Grand Detroit Tunnel Club and new field-level seating. Here are the details:
More info on the #Lions' long-term agreement with @MGMGrandDetroit: http://t.co/IplTmHdEfh pic.twitter.com/JCYvuicuPN
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) May 26, 2015
Additionally, the lower bowl in the west endzone is being extended to include field level seating for tunnel club season members.
Members and guests will have an up close view of Detroit Lions players leaving and entering the locker room from multiple areas of the club including an area with bleacher-style seating. Other amenities include unlimited food & beverage (cash bar for liquor sales), a corner lounge celebrating Detroit and early entry to the stadium (three hours before kickoff).
Essentially, these changes will allow fans to get closer to the players than ever before. The up-close view in the tunnel was really made popular by the Dallas Cowboys, and field-level seating has been a staple of basically every new stadium in the last few years.
It's going to be a lot easier for Joique Bell to celebrate with fans in the west end zone: http://t.co/VI00NSRrvk pic.twitter.com/5ygcMQdShn
— Pride Of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) May 26, 2015
As nice as this all sounds, it's worth noting that the "Tunnel Club" and field-level seats are considered premium seating, and tickets are quite expensive as a result:
Those new Lions seats that let fans see the players leaving the locker room cost $9,500 each for the season.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 26, 2015
From a luxury seating standpoint, these changes should upgrade the fan experience quite a bit. Now, though, it will be interesting to see what the Lions have planned for "Ford Field 2.0" for the rest of the stadium.