A Success In Attendance, Economics, And Safety

This past weekend, thousands of fans gathered for the 90th annual NFL Draft, an event that has become immensely popular among football enthusiasts in the United States. Over the years, the NFL Draft has evolved into a celebration of city pride and passionate fandom. Highly identified NFL fans, who share a strong psychological connection to their favorite teams, gather from across the nation to partake in the draft festivities. Aside from seven rounds of player selection, the three-day event also features interactive games, photo opportunities with NFL legends, and live entertainment.

Increased Interest in the NFL Draft

Recent data indicates a growing interest among fans in the NFL Draft. A Seton Hall Poll conducted prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, which surveyed 1,528 adult participants from the U.S., revealed that 40 percent of casual sports fans and 55 percent of individuals identifying as NFL fans expressed interest in watching at least part of the draft. This momentum seems to have been established before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the event took place in Nashville, Tennessee, attracting a then record 47 million television viewers and over 600,000 attendees. Further evidence of its growing popularity, the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit set a new all-time attendance record, drawing over 775,000 attendees over the course of three days, according to Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission.

This year’s NFL Draft, held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, continued to attract significant interest among sports fans, drawing a crowd of 600,000 attendees for the three days, which ties Nashville for the second-largest attendance in the event’s history. Earlier this month, more than 250,000 out-of-town visitors were expected to arrive in Green Bay last weekend, which was predicted to inject millions of dollars into the local economy. On April 20, Visit Milwaukee President and CEO Peggy Williams-Smith was a guest on ISN 12’s “UpFront,” produced in partnership with WisPolitics/State Affairs Pro-Wisconsin, pointed out that Green Bay’s location is within a six-hour drive of one-third of the U.S. population. Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy also appeared on the program and highlighted the significance of holding the draft in the NFL’s smallest market, particularly regarding its economic impact and legacy.

Green Bay did not disappoint, offering a unique setting for the draft due to its small community and the fact that the Packers are one of the league’s original franchises. The Packers are the only publicly owned team in the NFL. Plus, Lambeau Field is a historic and iconic sports venue. In a statement on the Monday following the draft, Green Bay Mayor Eric Genrich declared, “Green Bay might be the NFL’s smallest city, but we’ve got the biggest heart, and we have room in it for 600,000 fans!” Aside from the impressive attendance, the Associated Press reported that the 2025 NFL Draft averaged 13.6 million viewers across television and digital platforms, according to the league and Nielsen ratings. This figure represents an 11 percent increase over the previous year and is second only to the 2020 NFL Draft, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Potential Economic Impact in 2025

The anticipated economic impact of the 2025 NFL Draft was projected to be around $94 million in state of Wisconsin and $20 million in the local region. Prior to the event, there was an increase in hotel prices that reflected the anticipated influx of out-of-town visitors. Just three days before the first-round picks were announced, a single room with a queen-size bed at the Motel 6 in Green Bay, WI, near Lambeau Field, was priced at $377 for Thursday night. In contrast, several four-star hotel options in the general area were either fully booked or costed over $1,000 per night. Although the final figures have not yet been released, the greater Green Bay area and its surrounding communities are anticipated to experience a substantial economic impact due to increased spending on hotels, transportation, restaurants, and local businesses by out-of-town visitors. Discover Green Bay has garnered significant interest, as evidenced by their social media metrics. Brad Toll, president of the tourist information center, noted that their brand generated approximately 4.25 billion impressions, a figure that would have cost them $40 million in advertising expenses. Discover Green Bay is expected to release data on the economic impact of the 2025 NFL Draft in June.

Prioritizing a Safe Environment

In addition, risk management should be a priority for community leaders when hosting large-scale events such as the NFL Draft. Earlier in April, lawmakers in Green Bay requested $1.25 million from the state of Wisconsin to help cover public safety costs. On Monday, the city of Green Bay shared there were over 100 officers on-site, 15 ambulance transports, 71 emergency medical service incidents, 529 public assistance calls, and first aid was provided to 172 visitors. Despite the large crowds and increased traffic, there was only one arrest, eight ejections, and minimal car accidents, according to the Green Bay Police Department. Therefore, the 2025 NFL Draft was successful on many fronts.