Green Bay NFL Draft Attracts 600,000 Fans, Promises Future Events in Small Markets

The 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin was a major success in terms of attendance, drawing 600,000 fans and becoming one of the largest draft events since the NFL began rotating venues. Despite the influx of visitors, many local businesses near Lambeau Field and in downtown Green Bay reported underwhelming or mixed economic results, with some even experiencing losses or little boost in sales due to factors like event footprint, crowd movement, and road closures. While a few establishments, such as The Pancake Place, enjoyed a notable increase during peak hours, others like Cold Stone Creamery and several downtown restaurants saw little benefit and questioned where visitors were spending their money. Some businesses learned expectations may have been too high, especially regarding parking and lodging prices, and not all benefited equally from the event. Local officials and business organizations emphasized the value of the exposure and long-term benefits from billions of social media impressions, suggesting the event served as a showcase for Green Bay even if immediate financial impacts were uneven. Community leaders plan to survey businesses to better understand the economic impact and improve strategies for future large-scale events.