GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The start of Packers training camp on Thursday will bring plenty of green into Green Bay.
“It has probably about a $9 million impact, that’s training camp, included in it Packers Family Night,” explains Brad Toll, President and CEO of the Greater Green Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Also, plenty of green with the sheer number of jerseys and fan apparel spotted around the area.
“Probably around 90,000 to 100,000 people will be in Green Bay in August [for the Packers,]” says Toll.
And those fans are coming from all over the globe to embark on this football journey.
Each year, the Visitors Bureau sets up a world map for fans to place a pin on where they came from.
“Last year, we had pins in all fifty states and around 30 countries around the world,” explains Toll.
Those world travelers obviously need somewhere to sleep and eat, which lends itself to area hotels, restaurants, and bars seeing a big boost.
In fact, Toll says that it’s not just Green Bay specifically that benefits from the influx of visitors.
“During training camp, you know it’s one practice a day,” he says. “They head off to Door County, down to the Fox Cities, off to the Lakeshore.”
So much of training camp involves time-honored traditions, but local leaders are hoping to supply visitors with some new attractions in the area.
Toll thinks there are a few big draws that are new since last summer, such as Capital Credit Union Park.
“So we’re hoping that fans will take in an evening game out at our new ballpark,” he explains. “Of course, Bay Beach has a new ride.”
The first practice is Thursday, eventually leading up to Family Night on Friday, August 2.
The team will also be welcoming the Houston Texans for two joint practices on August 5 and 6, prior to facing them in the preseason opener at home on August 8.
