Green Bay Prepares for Record NFL Draft Attendance Amid Economic Debate

Green Bay, the NFL’s smallest city, is preparing to host the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field, with local officials and tourism agencies estimating around 250,000 attendees—triple the size of a typical Packers home game. The event has prompted expanded flight options and significant investments, including over $7 million in public funds for tourism promotion and law enforcement. Wisconsin officials, led by Governor Tony Evers, tout the draft’s potential for statewide economic impact, citing projections of $94 million for the state and $20 million for Green Bay. However, economists caution that such projections are often exaggerated, as they tend to overlook offsetting factors like lost alternative spending and added hosting costs. Meanwhile, preparations have raised concerns about lodging and transportation capacity for the influx of visitors, with some short-term rental prices dropping amid lingering availability. Despite the economic debate, local leaders see the draft as a chance to showcase Green Bay and Wisconsin to a global audience.