You’re stuck in traffic on I-75. The kickoff is three minutes away. Your phone’s data is acting wonky because 65,000 people are currently jamming the cell towers around Ford Field, and you just need to hear Dan Miller’s voice. We’ve all been there. Finding the right radio station for Lions game broadcasts shouldn’t feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube, but with streaming rights, blackout rules, and the shift from AM to FM, it gets messy.
The Detroit Lions have one of the most dedicated radio fanbases in the NFL. Honestly, even when the team was struggling through the "Same Old Lions" era, the radio call was often better than the product on the field. Now that the Dan Campbell era has turned Detroit into a legitimate powerhouse, the airwaves are electric.
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The Flagship Home: Where to Turn the Dial
If you are within the Detroit metro area, the answer is easy. 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) is the undisputed home of the Lions. They’ve held the rights for years, and for good reason. The signal is massive. You can usually pick it up clearly from Toledo all the way up toward Flint.
But here is where people get tripped up.
Sometimes the signal drifts. If you’re heading west toward Lansing or south toward the Ohio border, 97.1 might start to crackle. That’s when you need the Lions Radio Network. This isn't just one station; it's a web of over 45 affiliate stations across Michigan and parts of Northern Ohio and Indiana.
In the Grand Rapids area, you're usually looking for 96.1 The Game (WMAX). If you’re up in the Traverse City neck of the woods, it’s often WCCW 107.5. The point is, the "official" station changes based on which county line you just crossed.
Why Radio Still Beats the TV Broadcast
Television is great for the visuals, obviously. But the national announcers? They don't know the roster like the local guys do. They call Jameson Williams "Justin" or mess up the pronunciation of Penei Sewell. It's annoying.
Dan Miller is the voice of the Lions. Period. When he shouts "Touchdown, Detroit!" your soul actually feels it. Paired with Lomas Brown, the former offensive tackle who actually knows what’s happening in the trenches, the radio broadcast offers a level of insight you just don't get from a generic CBS or FOX crew. Many fans actually mute their TVs and sync up the radio audio. It’s a bit of a hassle because of the 5-10 second delay, but once you get it synced? It's a game-changer.
The Streaming Struggle: Why Your App Might Be Silent
"I’ll just stream it on the app," you think.
Then you open a generic radio app, hit play on 97.1 The Ticket, and hear a talk show about gardening or a national sports update instead of the game. What gives?
NFL broadcasting rights are notoriously strict. Local stations are often prohibited from streaming the game play-by-play through their standard website players or third-party apps like TuneIn if you are outside a specific geographic radius. This is the "geofencing" nightmare.
If you want to stream the radio station for Lions game coverage on your phone, you usually have three legitimate paths:
- The Detroit Lions Official App: If you are within the Detroit market, the team app often has a "Listen Live" feature. It checks your GPS. If you’re in Allen Park, you’re golden. If you’re in Chicago? Blocked.
- NFL+: This is the league's paid subscription service. It’s annoying to pay for something that used to be "free" on the airwaves, but it provides home and away radio feeds for every single game with no blackouts.
- Audacy App: Since 97.1 is an Audacy station, their proprietary app is the most reliable way to catch the local pre-game and post-game shows, though the actual game window still follows those pesky geographic rules.
Beyond Detroit: The Affiliate Map
Michigan is a big state. If you’re trekking up to a cabin in the UP, you aren't catching a signal from a tower in Southfield.
In Marquette, you’re looking for WUPZ 94.9. Down in Adrian, it’s WABJ 1490 AM. It’s kind of nostalgic, honestly. Flipping through the AM band on a Sunday afternoon, hearing the static fade into the roar of the Ford Field crowd—it feels like 1957 in the best way possible.
- Lansing: WJIM 1240 AM or 97.5 FM
- Saginaw: WKJK 100.5 FM
- Alpena: WZTK 105.7 FM
The move back to AM for some of these smaller markets is purely about distance. AM signals travel further, especially over flat terrain or water, which is why a station in Port Huron might boom across Lake Huron into Ontario.
The Pre-Game and Post-Game Rituals
The game itself is only three hours. The radio coverage? It’s basically an all-day event.
On 97.1 The Ticket, the pre-game starts hours before kickoff. This is where you get the actual "vibe check" of the city. You’ll hear fans calling in from the Eastern Market tailgates, sounding already three beers deep, debating whether the Lions should go for it on 4th and short (spoiler: Dan Campbell always goes for it).
The post-game show is arguably even better. It’s raw. If the Lions win, it’s a city-wide party. If they lose on a heartbreaking 66-yard field goal, it’s a collective therapy session. Hearing the callers vent their frustrations is a Detroit tradition as old as the Coney Dog.
Dealing with Technical Hurdles
If you're using a smart speaker like an Alexa or Google Home, telling it to "Play 97.1 The Ticket" will work for the pre-game talk, but might fail when the whistle blows. To get around this, you sometimes have to be specific. "Play the Detroit Lions game on NFL Plus" works if you have the account linked.
Another pro tip: If you are at the stadium, bring a small pocket radio with headphones. The cell service inside Ford Field is notoriously spotty during big games. Having an old-school analog signal means you get the commentary in real-time without the 30-second digital lag that ruins the surprise of a big play.
The Evolution of the Broadcast
We’ve come a long way from the days of Van Patrick or Bob Reynolds. Even the legendary Mark Champion era feels like a lifetime ago. The current setup with Dan Miller is widely considered one of the best in the league. Miller isn't just a "homer"; he calls the game with a journalistic integrity that acknowledges when the Lions are playing like garbage, but his excitement during a playoff run is infectious.
The Lions Radio Network has expanded its footprint significantly since the team's recent success. You can now find affiliates in places like Northern Indiana (WRSW in Warsaw) and Northwest Ohio (WSPD in Toledo). The "Honolulu Blue" reaches further than it used to because, frankly, people actually want to watch—and hear—this team now.
Actionable Steps for Game Day
Don't wait until the ball is on the tee to figure out your audio situation.
First, download the Detroit Lions official app and the Audacy app now. Create your accounts and log in ahead of time. If you’re planning on being outside of Michigan, seriously consider the NFL+ trial. It saves a lot of headaches.
Second, if you’re driving, save the primary frequencies into your car’s presets.
- 97.1 FM (Detroit)
- 96.1 FM (Grand Rapids)
- 107.5 FM (Traverse City)
Third, check your hardware. If you’re using Bluetooth headphones with a radio app, remember that the delay will be significant. If you’re trying to sync it with a TV broadcast, use the "pause" button on your DVR to let the radio catch up, or vice-versa.
Lastly, keep a backup. If the FM signal is weak, try to find the AM affiliate. AM 1270 (WXYT-AM) often carries the game or related sports talk in Detroit if the FM signal is undergoing maintenance or has interference.
The roar of the crowd is great, but nothing beats the granular detail of a high-quality radio broadcast. Whether you're in a deer blind in the Northwoods or a kitchen in Birmingham, the radio is the heartbeat of the Lions' season. Tune in, turn it up, and let Dan Miller take you through the four quarters of stress that define being a Lions fan.