Jolly Good Soda – now that’s cool!
Horsing around is a way of life for two sisters in De Pere
November 13, 2023
GREEN BAY – The dates for the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay are set – now the real fun starts, the planning.
“There’s a lot to be excited about in Green Bay and the State of Wisconsin,” Aaron Popkey, director of public affairs with the Green Bay Packers, said. “There was a lot of effort to bring the draft here, but there is going to be a lot more effort needed going forward. Many people out there will be joining the ‘team,’ whether it be on organizing committees, working staff or volunteers – you will be called upon.”
The NFL and the Packers officially announced that the 2025 NFL Draft will be held April 24-26 earlier this month.
“The NFL Draft has become one of the biggest, most-anticipated sporting events of the year, and we’re looking forward to the incredible experience Green Bay will offer our prospects, their families and all the fans,” Alex Brooke, NFL senior director of events business strategy, said. “Green Bay is an amazing football destination, with the area’s unique heritage and connection with fans across the country. Green Bay will provide a unique backdrop for fans who’ve always wanted to visit and a welcome back to fans who know and love it.”
Aaron Popkey, director of public affairs with the Packers, meets with members of the Green Bay community at the Lambeau Field Atrium earlier this month. Sitting, from left, are Alex Brooke, NFL senior director, events business strategy, and Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. Rich Palzewic Photo
Green Bay was officially awarded the 2025 NFL Draft earlier this year at the NFL Spring League Meeting in Minneapolis.
At that time, three possible dates were given for the draft: April 17-19, April 24-26 and May 1-3.
The Nov. 3 announcement confirmed the April 24-26 dates were selected for the league’s 90th NFL draft.
While details of the 2025 NFL Draft are still being finalized, draft festivities will take place inside and around Lambeau Field, along with venues within close proximity to the stadium campus.
Brooke said the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City welcomed more than 312,000 fans and had more than 54 million viewers over the three-day event.
“The festivities will include several days of activities throughout Green Bay and will feature the NFL Draft Experience – a free football festival – near Lambeau Field to allow fans of all teams to participate and test their football skills, enjoy interactive exhibits and autograph sessions and take pictures with the Vince Lombardi Trophy,” he said.
The Draft Experience will be open all three days of the draft.
Before the NFL began awarding the draft to different cities, it was held in New York City for 50 consecutive years (1965-2014).
Chicago – home of the Bears – broke the streak in 2015 and hosted it in back-to-back years.
“Since taking to the road in 2015, more than 2.2 million NFL fans have attended draft festivities in person,” Brooke said.
Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said “it’s exciting to know the official dates.”
Green Bay Packers officials said they are hoping the NFL allows the team to put the draft stage on the playing surface at Lambeau Field, but ultimately, it’s up to the league. Photo Courtesy of Green Bay Packers
“I want to give thanks to Alex, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Peter O’Reilly (with the NFL) for having the confidence in Green Bay to host an event of this size,” he said. “We’ve been working on this for a long time … every year, Green Bay wanted the draft (since 2015), and I was starting to wonder if we’d ever get it.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league is excited to work with the Packers and Discover Green Bay to bring the 2025 NFL Draft to Green Bay and “iconic Lambeau Field.”
“With the help of numerous local partners on the ground, our prospects and fans will be treated to an incredible week-long experience that shows off the city of Green Bay and the State of Wisconsin,” he said.
Economic impact
Murphy said the Green Bay Metro area is “by far, the smallest market to host an NFL Draft.”
“I will say, we are the smallest, but we are the best market, and we care the most about football,” he said. “Nobody has Lambeau Field or Titletown – it’s going to be special.”
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones was drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, which took place in Philadelphia. Rich Palzewic Photo
Murphy said the economic impact of the draft will be “substantial” – one felt statewide.
“We might not have as many people attend who went to Kansas City, but we’re expecting 250,000 fans,” he said. “One home Packers game is about a $15-million economic impact (statewide). We anticipate the draft will have a $94 million economic impact statewide. Of that, $20 million will be here in Green Bay. To put that $94 million in perspective, that’s more than six times what a normal Packers’ home game brings in – it’ll be significant.”
Murphy said the draft will be “the largest event ever held in Green Bay.”
“We believe that to be true,” he said. “It’s exciting for us, but we know it will be a lot of work.”
Murphy said though the economic impact is “obviously nice,” he’s also excited about how the event will showcase the area.
“We all know how great it is here in Wisconsin and all the great things we have, but it’s going to be like a three-day commercial (for the area),” he said. “It won’t just be from people across the country – the draft is followed internationally. We think through the entire process, the Green Bay community will shine.”
Hopefully, Green Bay won’t have to worry about winter weather when the 2025 NFL Draft comes to town April 24-26. Photo Courtesy of Green Bay Packers
With up to 250,000 people visiting Green Bay for the draft, fans will need places to stay.
According to information supplied by Discover Green Bay, typically, hotels will begin taking reservations 12 months from the date of stay.
The Greater Green Bay Region has 5,000 hotel rooms in total.
More information about the 2025 NFL Draft, including venue information, staffing and volunteer opportunities and other ways to get involved, will be posted as the event approaches on packers.com/draft25.
