GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – While work continues on the Packers roster, efforts are also ongoing to try and lure an NFL draft to Green Bay.
On Tuesday evening, the team asked a city of Green Bay committee for preliminary support in hosting the event.
The Packers hope to hear this spring whether Green Bay will be picked to host the 2025 draft. The team is also planning a bid for the 2027 draft.
“They have a very thorough process,” said Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey. “The NFL considers the draft one of its tentpole events in terms of a large gathering with lots of resources that are put towards it.”
Green Bay’s city council is being asked to sign off on a two-page agreement to lend support for hosting the event, including helping to cover costs related to public works, police, fire and emergency services.
“The city isn’t contractually obligating itself to any kind of specific services or specific dollar amounts,” said Green Bay City Attorney Joanne Bungert. “It’s more of a high level overview.”
Popkey tells FOX 11 the overall cost to hosting the draft is likely between $6 million and $7 million. The Packers have already committed $1 million. Popkey says ‘community partners’ would cover the rest. Brown County, Ashwaubenon and other entities, like Discover Green Bay, are expected to be in the equation.
“It is often said we’ll never get a chance to host a Super Bowl, but I think as far as NFL events go, this is something that would be fantastic for the community,” said Popkey.
Popkey says conservative estimates have a draft bringing more than 250,000 people to the area and creating a county economic impact north of $45 million. A Packers game creates an estimated impact of $15 million.
Among the items Green Bay would be agreeing to:
Generally assist the NFL and LOC in coordinating logistics for the NFL Draft, including assistance in securing additional venues, storage space, hotels and other services and assets
Seek passage of a “clean zone” ordinance (if a standing ordinance does not already exist) that prevents temporary commercial activity (e.g. temporary advertising, sampling and vending) and protects the NFL and LOC partners from competitive ambush marketing in a designated area around the key venues and hotels during the week of the NFL Draft. Additionally, the host city, county, and/or state should commit resources to enforcing the clean zone ordinance (and other applicable zoning regulations) and policing “ambush marketing” and the sale of counterfeit and illegal merchandise in and around event venues. The NFL and LOC will expect maps and legal ordinance language for legal and events review.
Assist the NFL and LOC in identifying and expediting any permit applications that the NFL, LOC and/or its partners may need to file with any governmental agency in connection with the NFL Draft events. The host city, county, and/or state must provide a waiver of all permitting fees.
Help coordinate plans and must cover all costs related to Public Works, which may include items like city sanitation, trash collection, street cleaning, road closures, etc. during the event period. The host city, county, and/or state will only be responsible for the cost outside of the NFL secure perimeter.
Help offset any cost impacts on local businesses due to the proposed layout options in the bid and/or selected by the NFL.
Cover all costs related to the deployment of city and state police, fire and emergency/medical services, street closure activities, police escort services, tactical support units and command centers required for the NFL Draft events.
Work closely with the NFL and LOC to ensure necessary street closures are made when and where needs are identified for both partial and full closures, at no cost to the NFL or LOC.
“I have complete trust that the Packers put together a complete proposal and they’re doing all the right things behind the scenes, so I’m happy to support this,” said Jesse Brunette, Green Bay’s city council president.
Green Bay’s finance committee unanimously passed the agreement. The full city council is expected to do the same at its meeting next Tuesday.
The Packers are not bidding on the 2026 draft because the team is hosting the Wisconsin Badgers-Notre Dame football game at Lambeau Field on Sept. 5, 2026.
Once traditionally held in New York City, the NFL Draft is now a travelling event. Las Vegas hosted last year, with this year’s event in Kansas City. Detroit will host in 2024.
No date for the 2025 event has been finalized, but the options are April 17-19, April 24-26 or May 1-3. In 2027, the possible dates are April 15-17, April 22-24 or April 29-May 1.
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