3. The NFL Draft will have a huge economic impact on the state of Wisconsin.
The Packers and Discover Green Bay are expecting around 250,000 attendees for the draft, which is estimated to have a $94 million impact on the state and $20 million locally in Green Bay.
A $7.5 million budget has been established to develop the draft’s infrastructure and promotion. The Packers have committed at least $1 million, while seeking to raise an additional $4.5 million through donors. The Lambeau Field Stadium District already has pledged a contribution.
“The impact of this, obviously there’s benefits immediately, but as we look at it, this is going to benefit the Packers, Green Bay and Wisconsin for years to come,” Murphy said. “You can’t put a dollar figure on what the publicity and (having) people, five, 10 years from now, come visit Green Bay because, ‘Geez, I saw when they hosted the draft and I saw all the different things they have in the community. It’ll be a great place to not only visit but to live.’
“We’re a community owned team, so for us, this is really our sweet spot. This is gonna be a tremendous benefit for the community.”
Green Bay representatives David Steffen and Robert Cowles also have submitted a $2 million request for the project from the state of Wisconsin. The organization has spoken with numerous leaders in Madison who are excited for the state to have this opportunity, according to Popkey.
“Being able to bring this to our community and share it with the residents who are here and the residents of Wisconsin, what a cool thing to be a part of,” Toll said. “We talk about the economic impact, and certainly that’s a huge part of it, but when it’s here, it’s gonna rock the community and people are gonna absolutely love it, and I think there’ll be some tears.”
4. The work, and meetings, start now.
The NFL will be in town next month for its first site visit to begin mapping out the details of the event, including where the league plans to construct its 100-yard draft stage.
Meanwhile, the Packers have developed their own plans for a “Lambeau Field Campus,” that’ll span across Lambeau Field, Titletown, Resch Expo and Resch Center. It’ll house the main media stage, NFL Experience, green room, red carpet, media center, and fan areas. The new 12,500-square-foot visitors center near Interstate 41 and Lombardi Avenue is also expected to be completed by then.
“Over the next two years, our local organizing community will work to promote and showcase this great state of Wisconsin,” Dow said. “Whether you visit Wisconsin because of the draft or you’re checking your bucket list off and you’re visiting Lambeau Field … we’ll together ensure all are welcome to our great state and your time with us during the 2025 draft will be a lifetime memory.”
The finer details of the event will be determined over the next 23 months, but the Packers and Discover Green Bay have invested a lot of time and resources into making sure the area and region have ample hotel space.
The Packers and league have blocked the required number of hotels for the three weekend dates the NFL provided, with Green Bay also exploring other lodging options. The organization has had discussions with Amtrak to transport fans from Milwaukee to Green Bay and looked into bringing in cruise ships. Many local families also rent out their homes through Airbnb and other short-term rental accommodations.
Beyond simply rooms, the Packers have spoken with Uber and Lyft about expanding transportation in the area over the next two years.
5. Yes, the Packers are aware it could snow…and have planned for it.
Murphy said he recently spoke with NFL executive vice president, club business, international and legal events Peter O’Reilly about the possibility of snow, to which O’Reilly joked, “That would be great.”
In all seriousness, Dow said snow removal has been factored into the Packers’ planned budget. The Packers also spent time researching the two drafts in Chicago in 2015-16. Fortunately, snow wasn’t an issue for either draft.
“That’s a question we were asked and it’s like, ‘Who knows how to remove snow better than Green Bay, Wis.?” Toll said. “Even with the airport, they’re accustomed to that. They work with it all (winter). We have snow during Packers games and the private jets fly in and out nonstop. We’re probably better equipped than anywhere else in the country to do with inclement weather.”