If you’re a Detroit sports fan, you’ve been through it all—hope, heartbreak, rebuilds, and more heartbreak. But for the first time in a long while, things are looking up across the board. The question now is: which team is going to break the city’s championship drought?
Let’s get the obvious out of the way—Detroit hasn’t seen a major pro title since the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2008. That’s 17 years of waiting. And while the University of Michigan brought home a national title in college football in early 2024, that doesn’t help the city’s pro teams.
So who’s closest?
Right now, it’s hard to bet against the Detroit Lions. They went 15-2 last season and were a few plays away from a Super Bowl run. Even with some offseason turnover (like the retirement of Frank Ragnow), they’ve got a strong core and one of the best front offices in the league. Dan Campbell has them believing—and fans too.
Then there’s the surprise story of the Detroit Tigers. After years of being stuck in a rebuild, they’ve jumped out to a 46-27 start—best record in baseball as of mid-June. With Cy Young-level pitching from Tarik Skubal and a scrappy, improving lineup, the Tigers are finally dangerous again. They might not have the star power, but they’ve got chemistry and confidence.
You can’t ignore the Michigan Panthers either. Yes, they play in the UFL and not the NFL, but they just made it to the championship game before getting blown out by the DC Defenders. Quarterback Bryce Perkins even won league MVP. Problem is, guys like Perkins often bounce right back to the NFL, which makes UFL rosters unpredictable year-to-year. Fun story, but not sustainable.
As for the Pistons and Red Wings—they’re improving, but still look like they’re a few years out from serious contention.
So who’s next to bring home a championship?
If you’re going by potential and staying power, the Lions are still Detroit’s best shot. But don’t sleep on the Tigers—October could get very interesting.
Who Will End Detroit’s Title Drought First? Lions, Tigers, or a Surprise Contender?
