How Green Bay pulled off 600,000 attendees for the NFL Draft despite being the league’s smallest city

The 2025 NFL Draft, held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, set new benchmarks for attendance, drawing a staggering 600,000 fans over the course of three days. This figure ties Nashville's record for the second-highest turnout since the draft began rotating locations in 2015. Despite Green Bay being the smallest city ever to host the event, the turnout far exceeded expectations, eclipsing the initial forecast of just 250,000. This remarkable achievement shows that Packers fans, along with football enthusiasts from across the nation, were eager to experience this historic event.

Green Bay's population is just under 110,000, with the metropolitan area barely exceeding 320,000 people. Given these numbers, there were legitimate concerns about whether the city could handle the logistics of such a large-scale event. However, the city far outperformed predictions, drawing 205,000 fans on Day 1 alone. The energy continued to build, with 175,000 fans showing up on Friday for Rounds 2 and 3, despite adverse weather conditions, and a final 220,000 fans flocking to the event on Saturday. The total crowd of 600,000 was a staggering seven times more than what a Packers home game typically attracts.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy had initially anticipated 250,000 attendees for the three days. However, the final turnout more than doubled that expectation, proving Green Bay's ability to deliver an outstanding fan experience. "Green Bay is kind of that destination where everybody wants to come and see Lambeau Field," said Steven Chowanec, a fan from Osseo, Wisconsin, underscoring the city's status as a bucket-list location for football fans.
The economic impact of the draft was felt across Green Bay and the entire state of Wisconsin. Local authorities estimated that the 2025 NFL Draft would contribute about $20 million to the Green Bay economy and $94 million to the state's economy. Events like the NFL Draft not only boost local tourism but also enhance the visibility of the region on a national scale.

Despite the city’s small size, the event was managed flawlessly, with fans from all over the country praising the hospitality and organization. Paul Cegelski, a Green Bay resident and Packers season ticket holder, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “I’m happy Green Bay turned out. I’m so glad we weren’t a black eye.” Indeed, the event was a resounding success, showing that even a small city could handle the logistical complexities of hosting the NFL Draft.
Out-of-town fans also expressed their admiration for how well Green Bay handled the draft. Pati Cream, a Texans fan and previous winner of the NFL's fan of the year contest, shared her experience, saying, “We were a little fearful because it’s a smaller venue, but it’s been amazing. The Packers fans are always so welcoming and great. Getting around has been really easy. Everybody’s been very hospitable.”
While Green Bay may not have set a new attendance record like Detroit did in 2024, the event’s turnout solidified the city’s place as a capable host for large-scale events. Detroit’s draft last year saw a record-breaking 775,000 attendees, but Green Bay’s 600,000 fans mark the second-highest turnout since the NFL moved the draft outside of New York in 2015.

Next year, the draft will be hosted in Pittsburgh, but the success of Green Bay in 2025 will certainly set a new standard for future smaller-market NFL draft hosts. This event proved that with passionate fans, strong organizational planning, and a city eager to showcase its charm, even the smallest of cities can rise to the occasion.
As Green Bay's legacy as a draft host is cemented, the city can look forward to future events that bring not only football fans but also a welcome economic boost.
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