Overview

• Green Bay’s 2025 NFL Draft attendance reached 600,000, doubling its pre-event forecast of 250,000 and tying Nashville’s 2019 record for the second-highest total since 2015.
• The event is projected to generate $90 million for Wisconsin’s economy, including $20 million locally, despite logistical challenges like limited hotel capacity in Green Bay itself.
• Fans praised Green Bay’s organization and hospitality, with many traveling from nearby cities like Milwaukee and Madison due to the city’s 4,300-room hotel limit.
• Detroit’s 2024 draft remains the attendance leader with 775,000 fans, fueling intercity competition as Pittsburgh prepares to host the 2026 draft with $600 million in downtown renovations.
• Steelers owner Art Rooney II has publicly set a goal to surpass Green Bay’s attendance, leveraging Pittsburgh’s larger population and extensive urban upgrades.