There's plenty of buzz around the Detroit Lions this season, so much so that head coach Dan Campbell expressed concern about the "hype train". Being the team who will open the season against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs is huge, and only added to the buzz that already existed.
Lions fans warmed up to a surging team late last season, selling out Ford Field for home games. But this season has not even began, and that has reached a new, historic level.
Thursday morning, the Lions announced season tickets for the 2023 season have been sold out. It's the first time that's happened since the Lions moved to Ford Field in 2002, and a fine way to mark the franchise's 90th season in Detroit.
"This is an exciting moment for our franchise. To reach this milestone as we celebrate our 90th season of Detroit Lions football makes the moment even more special,” Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood said in a released statement. “The Lions have always enjoyed a loyal and multi-generational fan base that has been the bedrock of our fan base. We can’t wait for the home field advantage that this will create inside Ford Field this season.”"
Detroit Lions sell out season tickets for first time ever at Ford Field
In an interview with 97.1 The Ticket (h/t to Lions Wire), Lions president Rod Wood said every ticket for all eight of the team's home games have been sold.
On site at Allen Park Thursday, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirmed the creation of a waiting list for Lions' season tickets. Garafolo also suggested it may be the first time in franchise history season tickets have been sold out, which seems fairly likely even without hard data to prove it.
A packed house here at #Lions camp today and at Ford Field all season. For the first time in stadium history, the team is starting a waiting list for season tickets. All sold out. pic.twitter.com/HY1VjZyfUJ
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 3, 2023
Fan excitement is obviously the highest it has been in recent memory after the Lions finished last season on an 8-2 run. They enter this season as the favorites to win the NFC North, and end a division title drought that goes back to 1993.