GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Officials with Discover Green Bay said the three-day NFL Draft generated $72.9 million locally and $104 million in statewide economic activity.
The numbers were released at a news conference Wednesday morning. The nonprofit says it commissioned industry expert Patrick Rishe and his firm, SportsImpacts, to complete the study.
“The value of this event goes well beyond dollars and cents,” Experience Greater Green Bay chairman Jerry Lintz said.
Approximately 600,000 fans came to Green Bay for the draft, far surpassing expectations in the NFL's smallest market. Leading up to the draft, officials indicated they expected between 250,000-350,000 to attend.
The third day of the draft was the busiest day, with an estimated 220,000 coming through the gates.
"Everyone in this community stepped up," Packers V.P. of Fan Experience Gabrielle Dow said. "We do have the best fans in the NFL."
According to the NFL, the 2025 Draft was the second-most watched ever, averaging 7.5 million viewers over the three-day event. Rounds 4-7 averaged 4.3 million viewers, the highest-watched Day 3 in NFL Draft history
The most-watched Draft on record was in 2020, which was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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