DETROIT – Eastern Market tailgating is changing this year with new rules in place after last year’s shooting.
It happened Sept. 15, 2024, at Shed 6 in the Eastern Market neighborhood. Police said two men got into a confrontation and one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots. Two people were killed.
Officials with Eastern Market said they’re committed to making sure their tailgating events remain fun and safe.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance on Eastern Market’s official website.
Organizers say fewer spots will be available this year because each tailgate site now takes up at least two parking spaces. The extra room is designed to help with cleanup and give emergency crews better access.
Staff will also be tracking how many people gather at each site with wristbands. The smallest tailgate package comes with 10 wristbands, and the largest with 20.
Tags and wristbands will be color-coded to each game and not transferable to future tailgate events.
Current policies:
- Double-space purchases get a hang tag and 10 wristbands for up to 10 tailgaters. One vehicle and tent are allowed.
- Quadrant space purchases get a hang tag and 20 wristbands for up to 20 tailgaters. Two vehicles and two tents are allowed.
- RV space purchases under Shed 6 get a hang tag and 20 wristbands for up to 20 tailgaters.
- Tailgate setups must stay within the assigned space and not block drive lanes.
- Alcohol must be contained within the tailgate lots.
- Eastern Market personnel will assign spots upon arrival and direct ticketholders to their designated spots.
- Individual tailgate areas have been reconfigured to allow safe, comfortable, and enjoyable tailgating within parking spaces.
- The number of regular spaces (9x19 feet, for small passenger vehicles and SUVs) will vary depending on whether there is a Sunday or Holiday Market.
- All tailgate activities must be conducted in accordance with the law.
Tailgating areas must be kept neat and orderly, and all trash must be disposed of properly. Guests must return their area to its original state before leaving.
Tailgate and parking lots open at 8 a.m. for 1 p.m. games; 11 a.m. for 4 p.m. games; and 3 p.m. for 8 p.m. games. No early access is allowed.
All parking lots close and must be empty 60 minutes after the game. No overnight parking is allowed. Eastern Market is not responsible for vehicles left overnight.
Restrictions include unauthorized sale of food and beverages, use of platforms or vehicles with advertising, and operation of unregistered vehicles such as scooters and drones. Amplified sound and noise-making devices are banned, as are advertising and commercial activities by guests.
Disorderly conduct, political campaigning, and possession of weapons are prohibited.
Prohibited activities:
- Unauthorized sale of food and beverages
- Use of deep fryers and cooking oil due to damage to concrete and drains
- Formal DJ setups
- Weapons or firearms, including toy or costume weapons such as toy guns, swords, knives, hatchets, or bombs
- Use of platforms or vehicles with advertising
- Operation of unregistered vehicles such as scooters and drones
- Amplified sound and noise-making devices
- Advertising and commercial activities by guests
- Disorderly conduct, political campaigning, and possession of weapons
- Sale of food or beverage items by guests and unauthorized private catering
- Platforms, stages, and vehicles with advertising, unless approved by Eastern Market Partnership
- Ball playing and frisbee throwing under any structure
- Unregistered motorized and non-motorized vehicles, including golf carts, Segways, skateboards, scooters, and hoverboards. Bicycles are allowed only at designated bike racks
- Drones and remote-controlled aerial vehicles; possession or operation may lead to ejection and confiscation
- Excessive volume amplified sound and music with inappropriate language
- Use of megaphones, airhorns, and other noise-making devices
- Advertising or commercial activities by guests, including exterior vehicle advertisements
- Selling or soliciting promotional or marketing activities by guests
- Picketing, political campaigning, signature gathering, or solicitation within tailgating areas or parking lots
A full list of policies at Eastern Market can be found on its official website.