Detroit Lions ticket giveaway sparks excitement among fans, businesses

While the Super Bowl could be in reach this year for the Detroit Lions, there's also a chance for fans to be winners as ticket prices soar.

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association is offering up two tickets to a Lions post-season game. You can shop at a local business in the area and submit a receipt for a chance to win.

Two fans who spoke with CBC in the downtown area said it's too costly to go see the team in person, but they're going to try their luck with the contest.

Ryan Cop and Sergio Ramirez have been cheering on the Lions for decades. 

"Too much to pay. We'll represent the team here in Windsor. That's the best thing we could do is just spend the money here locally and let it ride," Ramirez said.

John Ansell, co-owner of A Dog's Breakfast, says he's seeing more football fans at their all-day breakfast joint.

"A lot of people coming in from cities like Toronto or Mississauga, making their way down here to go over to Detroit to see the games. It's been exciting."

With such games in the past, Ansell has seen an uptick of customers walking in but said with the impending playoffs, "it's a little bit more this time around."

"Quite a few people actually already knew about it, so I was surprised many knew about the contest that was happening downtown. The city seems to be pretty aware of the Lions fever… Let's hope they win. We're gonna have a big celebration afterward."

The Detroit Lions made the playoffs last year, but missed the Super Bowl. Now they have another real chance. Detroit remains top ranked in the NFC standings, and their luck this season has fans of all ages exuberant about the possibility of the Lions landing their first-ever Super Bowl appearance.

Expensive tickets 

By Sunday evening, the cheapest tickets for this anticipated game, slated for either Jan. 18 or 19, started at $850 with the best seats at Ford Field anywhere between $1,730 and $5,000.

"We know that it's a hot ticket and it's something that everybody can't get their hands on," said city councillor and Downtown BIA board member Renaldo Agostino.

"When we work together and use the buying power of the downtown BIA and everyone gets in on it and then everyone has a chance to win."

Agostino said the BIA had a giveaway with Taylor Swift concert tickets about a year ago and it was very successful. He said the Lions draw will be done near the end of the week before the game.

"Shop, play, stay downtown and get your chance to win. Upload your receipts to the website and you can win," he said.

As far as Lions fandom goes, Cameron Breshamer said he is "a solid seven" out of 10, and has been looking forward to the playoffs. 

"Me and my boys have been watching it very closely this year, and hope the Lions have a chance to go through the Super Bowl, possibly win it for the first time ever," he said.

Breshamer said the team has been playing "fantastic" under head coach Dan Campbell.

"Our Lord and Saviour Dan Campbell of NFL coaches, get out there and win us the Super Bowl," he said.

Breshamer said it's worthwhile going to the game but it might mean picking up a shift or two extra. In the interim, he is also trying his luck with the giveaway, as he sat down for a meal at Lefty's on the O.

"If there's a possibility of a free ticket just by showing a little bit of participation, why wouldn't you?"

'A lot more people asking for receipts'

James Arbour, the owner and operator of Lefty's on the O, said he likes the giveaway, as it has been bringing in more people like Breshamer.

"I have noticed a lot more people are asking for receipts, which is not really a common thing. So, it's good, it gets people talking," he said.

Arbour said with the drone show Saturday night, it was a busy early evening, which is usually the case much later in the night.

Arbour, who himself paid $500 US per ticket for a recent Lions game, said with the tickets being pricey, the giveaway becomes "a real chance for people to win seats." 

The contest closes Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. EST. 

"I hope we'll increase business. It's a good opportunity for Windsor. Go Lions!"