On the clock: Preparations already underway ahead of 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The 2023 NFL Draft in Detroit shattered attendance records which could bode well for Green Bay next year. The draft could impact the entire state, including Milwaukee. 

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the 2024 Draft brought in more than 700,000 fans, and VISIT Milwaukee's sports division expects Wisconsin will see similar numbers next year when Green Bay hosts the draft April 24-26, 2025. 

VISIT Milwaukee has been working alongside Discover Green Bay, Travel Wisconsin, and the Green Bay Packers to prepare for next year's draft. 

Marissa Werner, the director of Sports Milwaukee, says Milwaukee will likely help out with food and beverage vendors and transportation. 

She expects a lot of fans to use Milwaukee's airport or drive in from Chicago. 

As the largest city near Green Bay, fans are likely to stay in Milwaukee hotels and VISIT Milwaukee is preparing for that. 

"Being that most of the hotels are already spoken for in regards to the NFL and corporate partners throughout the Appleton, Fox City and Green Bay areas, we really are more focused and believe it will be more of that fan base that is going to be utilizing our hotels and our accommodations," said Werner. 

Werner had a chance to go to the draft in Detroit, she said it almost feels like a festival and she expects Packers fans to really show in Titletown next year.