How to Listen to Lions Games on AM and Online Radio

AvatarByMatthew Yates Sports Radio & Game Broadcasts

97.1 FM, WXYT-FM, 97.1 The Ticket, is the Detroit flagship station for live Detroit Lions games. In Toledo, the Lions Radio Network affiliate is WSPD 1370 AM. You can also listen through the station’s website or app when your location is eligible, and this guide explains the best option for a radio, phone, computer, or travel day.

Detroit Lions Radio Broadcast Basics

The Detroit Lions Radio Network carries Lions preseason, regular-season, and postseason games live. Its Detroit flagship is an FM station, so listeners looking for a Detroit Lions AM radio frequency should not expect the current Detroit flagship broadcast to be on AM.

The regular network crew is:

  • Dan Miller, play-by-play
  • Lomas Brown, color commentary
  • T. J. Lang, sideline reporter

WXYT (AM) was a Lions flagship station from 1998 through 2004. That history is why older searches and saved radio presets may point people toward an AM station, but the current Detroit game broadcast is on WXYT-FM.

How to Listen to Lions Games Live

Choose the route that matches where and how you are listening.

Where You Are Listening Best Route What You Need
Detroit area with a radio Detroit FM flagship An FM radio
Toledo area with a radio Toledo network coverage An AM radio
With a phone or computer Station stream Internet access and eligible location
Traveling or outside the local stream area Subscription audio service A compatible paid plan

Step 1: Choose a Local Radio Broadcast

  1. Use an FM receiver if you are in or near Detroit.
  2. Select WXYT-FM and tune to 97.1.
  3. Leave the radio on through the scheduled broadcast.

Step 2: Use Toledo’s AM Affiliate

  1. Set your radio to the AM band.
  2. Tune WSPD to 1370 kHz in Toledo.
  3. Listen for the Lions pregame show or the game call rather than assuming every sports or news program on the station is Lions coverage.

Rotate a portable radio, move it away from electronics, or place it near a window if the signal is noisy.

Step 3: Listen on a Phone or Computer

  1. Install the Audacy app on an iPhone or Android phone, or open a browser on your computer.
  2. In the app, search for “97.1 The Ticket.”
  3. For a browser, go directly to audacy.com/stations/971theticket.
  4. Start the stream before kickoff so you can confirm that it plays.

A station stream may carry sports talk and Lions programming throughout the week but restrict live NFL game audio based on where the listener is located. If the game does not play, use a local over-the-air affiliate or a paid NFL audio option rather than repeatedly refreshing the player.

Step 4: Start Listening Before Kickoff

Detroit Lions Radio Network coverage begins two hours before game time. The pregame show is useful for inactive-player news, lineup changes, weather conditions, interviews, and local analysis.

After the final whistle, the network continues with postgame coverage for one hour after the game ends. Leave the broadcast on if you want coach and player reaction, scoring analysis, and the local postgame show.

Toledo and Other Affiliate Coverage

Toledo listeners can hear Lions games on WSPD 1370 AM. That is the practical over-the-air choice for Toledo; Detroit’s FM flagship may be difficult or impossible to receive reliably there depending on your location and conditions.

The Lions Radio Network serves Michigan and Toledo, with affiliates in many smaller markets.

Affiliate arrangements can change between seasons. Before a road trip or a game in an unfamiliar area, confirm the local affiliate and test the station before the pregame window begins. That gives you time to find a second option if reception is weak.

Internet Access, Location, and Paid Alternatives

Within 100 miles of Ford Field, you can use mobile devices and smart speakers for live Lions events; TuneIn may label those events as local in-market only. Account settings and network connection can also affect playback.

For a more dependable traveling option, paid alternatives include SiriusXM or NFL+. SiriusXM also carries NFL audio, though channel assignments can vary by game and package.

Use this order when choosing an internet option:

  1. Try the local 97.1 The Ticket stream if you are near Detroit.
  2. If it is unavailable, use a local terrestrial radio affiliate if you can receive one.
  3. If you are outside the area, use an eligible paid football-audio service.

Do not confuse Lions game audio with Lions podcasts. Podcasts, press conferences, and sports-talk shows are widely available online, but they do not replace the live network game call.

Confirm You Have the Lions Game Broadcast

Use these quick checks before relying on a station or stream for game day:

  • You hear Dan Miller calling plays, with Lomas Brown providing analysis.
  • You hear live local programming before kickoff.
  • The stream is playing live programming rather than a replay, podcast, or generic sports-radio segment.
  • Your radio signal stays clear when you move the receiver away from household electronics.

If you hear a national game broadcast instead of the Lions network team, you may be on a different NFL outlet.

For the next Lions game, start with local radio when possible, then keep another listening option ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Listen to the Lions on AM Radio?

Yes. Toledo listeners can receive Lions Radio Network game coverage on WSPD 1370 AM, although Detroit’s current flagship is WXYT-FM at 97.1 FM. Toledo listeners can use WSPD 1370 AM for Lions Radio Network game coverage. Detroit’s current flagship broadcast is on FM rather than AM, so use an affiliate if you specifically want an AM signal.

Can I Listen to the Lions Game on the Internet?

Yes, if the live game stream is available in your location. Location and network connection can affect playback. Use the Audacy app on iOS or Android, search for “97.1 The Ticket,” or open audacy.com/stations/971theticket in a web browser.

Who Are the Detroit Lions Radio Broadcasters?

Dan Miller is the play-by-play announcer, Lomas Brown is the color commentator, and T. J. Lang is the sideline reporter. They are the regular Lions Radio Network crew, so hearing them helps confirm that you have the Lions feed rather than a national broadcast. Hearing that crew is a useful way to confirm that you have the Detroit Lions Radio Network feed rather than a national broadcast.

Can I Hear Pregame and Postgame Coverage on the Radio?

Yes. Lions Radio Network coverage begins two hours before game time and continues for one hour after the game ends. Lions Radio Network coverage starts two hours before game time and continues for one hour after the game ends. Tune in before the pregame show if you want the full local broadcast, not just kickoff through the final play.

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Matthew Yates

Matthew Yates is the voice behind Earth Repair Radio, a site dedicated to making the world of radio clear and approachable. His journey began through community service and emergency broadcasting, where he learned how vital reliable communication can be when other systems fail. With vocational training in communications and years of hands on experience,

Matthew combines technical know how with a gift for simplifying complex ideas. From car radios to ham licensing and modern subscription services, he writes with clarity and warmth, helping readers understand radio not as jargon, but as a living connection in everyday life.