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Green Bay's Common Council unanimously voted in favor to sign off on agreements telling the league that the city wants the NFL Draft in Titletown during Tuesday's meeting.
"As we see on game weekends, or concerts, even the soccer match last summer, when we have that number of people coming to town, Green Bay benefits tremendously from hospitality in terms of hotels, restaurants," Packers Director of Public Affairs Aaron Popkey said. "And then communities as we expand from Green Bay will also absorb overnight guests in their hotels and those sorts of things. So, short answer is we have enough rooms to put on the event. Definitely."
The city is hoping to host the Draft in 2025 or 2027. Popkey says that's because Lambeau Field is hosting the Wisconsin Badgers-Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game in 2026.
"Our approach to these large-scale events is we will work to host one event a year," Popkey said.
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A view of the NFL Draft theater prior to the start of the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
In each two-page agreement, the city is pledging to help cover the costs for police, fire, emergency services, and public works, among other commitments.
"It's not overly complicated, but it shows that commitment, and demonstrates that we're excited and willing to be active participants in bringing the Draft here," Council Vice Chair Brian Johnson said.
Johnson says Brown County has already unanimously pledged its support.
He says the Village of Ashwaubenon is taking consideration later this month.
"We're going to be big partners, substantial partners," Johnson said.
Johnson says the Draft would bring up to $90 million of economic impact.
That equates to six Packers home games.
He says the three-day event would also bring about 250,000 people to the region.
"We know the Packers is slim chance to none to ever host the Super Bowl," Johnson said. "We just don't meet a lot of the metrics that they need. But the Draft is a very viable possibility."
Green Bay was a finalist to host the Draft next year, but Detroit was picked instead.
Titletown has never hosted the Draft before.
"We know we've got what it takes," Popkey said. "We've got a very special story."
Popkey says the NFL is expected to announce the host for the 2025 Draft sometime this spring.
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The Green Bay Common Council is meeting on Tuesday to try and help bring the NFL Draft to Titletown.
The Council is expected to vote on agreements telling the league that the city is committed to welcoming the three-day event.
"It tells the NFL that the city is committed and we're behind this project and that we're going to be great partners when we do it," Council Vice Chair Brian Johnson said.
Green Bay has never hosted the NFL Draft. It was a finalist to host it next year, but Detroit was picked.
Now, the city is hoping to host the draft in 2025 or 2027.
In each two-page agreement, the city is pledging to help cover the costs for police, fire, emergency services, and public works, among other commitments.
Johnson says the Draft would bring up to $90 million of economic impact to the region. That equates to six Packers home games.
He says the Draft would bring an estimated 250,000 people to the area.
"We know the Packers is a slim chance to none to ever host the Super Bowl," Johnson said. "We just don't meet a lot of the metrics that they need. But, the Draft is a very viable possibility. And so, for those that think, 'gosh, this is a Hail Mary,' no, this is really possible, and it's going to happen here in Green Bay."
Johnson says Brown County has already unanimously pledged its support, and that the Village of Ashwaubenon is taking consideration later this month.
In 2026, Lambeau Field is hosting the Wisconsin Badgers-Notre Dame Fighting Irish football game.
