Game-day drone restrictions in Michigan, 2026-27

The FAA bans drones within 3 nautical miles (about 3.5 miles) of any stadium seating 30,000 or more during Major League Baseball, NFL and NCAA Division I football games, from one hour before the start to one hour after the end, and during NASCAR Cup and IndyCar races. RAW Digital Group's calendar lists 102 upcoming Michigan dates under that rule, 89 of them at Ford Field and Comerica Park in downtown Detroit.

Dates checked October 18, 2026. Times marked TBA had not been announced.

The rule

The restriction is a standing FAA notice, NOTAM FDC 4/3621. It prohibits all aircraft, including drones, within 3 nautical miles of the stadium and up to 3,000 feet above the ground, starting one hour before the scheduled time of the event and ending one hour after it ends. It applies to stadiums with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more during a regular or postseason Major League Baseball, NFL or NCAA Division I football game, and to NASCAR Cup, IndyCar and Champ series races, excluding qualifying and pre-race events. Flights for the event's own operations, broadcast coverage and security can be authorized separately.

Three nautical miles is about 3.5 statute miles. Ford Field and Comerica Park sit a block apart, so a home date at either one closes the same piece of downtown. For a block-by-block explanation, see our guide to game days and drone shoots in Detroit.

This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm on tfr.faa.gov, B4UFLY or a LAANC app before every flight. See how we check our facts.

Ford Field, downtown Detroit

Detroit Lions (NFL); MAC football at Ford Field (NCAA D-I FBS). Seating capacity 65,000. The ring covers Downtown Detroit, Midtown, Brush Park, Eastern Market, Lafayette Park, Corktown, Mexicantown/Southwest Detroit (edge), Rivertown and the Detroit Riverfront, New Center (edge), Belle Isle (west end).

The Lions' November 15 game against New England is a home game played in Munich, so Ford Field is not restricted that day. A home playoff game in January 2027 is possible but not scheduled.

Comerica Park, downtown Detroit

Detroit Tigers home games in 2027: 81 dates, from March 25 to September 19. Seating capacity 41,083. Start times had not been announced when we checked, and the schedule could change if baseball's labor agreement, which expires after the 2026 season, is not renewed. Tigers schedule.

College football stadiums

Each of these stadiums lists a seating capacity above 30,000, so NCAA Division I home games carry the restriction. The three Mid-American Conference stadiums clear the threshold by a few hundred seats; check tfr.faa.gov before flying near them on game day.

Michigan Stadium

University of Michigan football (NCAA D-I FBS). Seating capacity 107,601. The ring covers Ann Arbor (U-M central and south campus, downtown Ann Arbor, Burns Park, Old West Side), Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB) area, roughly 2.5 NM south, Pittsfield Township (north edge), Ann Arbor Township (south edge).

Spartan Stadium

Michigan State football (NCAA D-I FBS). Seating capacity 74,866. The ring covers East Lansing (MSU campus, downtown East Lansing), Lansing east side (Eastside, Frandor area), Lansing Township, Meridian Township (west edge).

Rynearson Stadium

Eastern Michigan football (NCAA D-I FBS, MAC). Seating capacity 30,200. The ring covers Ypsilanti (EMU campus, Depot Town, downtown Ypsilanti), Ypsilanti Township, Superior Township (south part), Pittsfield Township (east edge).

Waldo Stadium (Stafford-Smith Field)

Western Michigan football (NCAA D-I FBS, MAC). Seating capacity 30,200. The ring covers Kalamazoo (WMU campus, downtown Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo College, Vine and Westnedge Hill neighborhoods), Oshtemo Township (east edge), Kalamazoo Township (parts).

Kelly/Shorts Stadium (Kramer/Deromedi Field)

Central Michigan football (NCAA D-I FBS, MAC). Seating capacity 30,255. The ring covers Mount Pleasant (CMU campus, downtown Mount Pleasant), Union Township, Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport area (roughly 2.5 to 3 NM north).

Races

The rule covers race day for NASCAR Cup and IndyCar events, not qualifying or practice. Truck and ARCA races at Michigan International Speedway are not named in the rule.

Detroit Grand Prix street course

Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix (NTT IndyCar Series). The area around it includes Downtown Detroit, Detroit Riverfront and Rivertown, Lafayette Park, Eastern Market, Midtown (south), Corktown, Belle Isle (west end, edge).

Michigan International Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series; Craftsman Truck Series. The area around it includes Brooklyn (village), Cambridge Township, Norvell Township, Irish Hills lakes area (Lake Columbia, Wamplers Lake edge).

Not covered: Red Wings and Pistons

NHL and NBA games are not named in the FAA rule, so Red Wings and Pistons home games at Little Caesars Arena do not trigger it. Concerts are not covered either, though the FAA can issue a separate restriction for a large event. Launching from the arena's property still needs the owner's permission, and Part 107 rules on flying over people apply. For everywhere else in the state, see our Michigan drone airspace study of 58 cities and the Michigan drone laws guide.

How we plan around game days

Every downtown, campus and track-area shoot we book starts with this calendar and the FAA's posted restrictions. Shoots inside a ring move to a non-game day or to the hours outside the restriction window, and we tell you before the date is set. See Detroit drone photography for published starting prices.