Green Bay, Wisconsin, is preparing to do just that. When it does in 2025, it will be the smallest city ever to host the NFL Draft! This specific Midwestern city has a population of only 107,544. Despite all that, it is quickly becoming one of the most exciting stories in the world of professional football. The draft will take place in a unique location. Welcome to the driveway of Debbie Jacques’ duplex, at the northeast corner of Lombardi and Oneida streets— join us!
Since the announcement that the NFL Draft would be coming to Green Bay, the focused energy and excitement has been palpable. Local officials and residents are readying themselves for an expected onslaught of visitors. The Luddites predict that the tsunami of humanity will drown the city’s infrastructure. All the hotels in the immediate area are booked solid too. One such room was listed at an incredible $8,000 a night! This amazing demand goes to show just how important this event is and how Newport, RI cannot support it all.
Green Bay has never hosted a Super Bowl, mainly because it has no hotels or convention space to support it. We are passing the coming draft is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city. People jokingly refer to it as the “NFL’s smallest city.”
As part of the preparations, the Green Bay Area Public School District has canceled classes during the draft to alleviate traffic concerns. Moreover, classes in the adjacent village of Ashwaubenon will be cancelled Thursday and Friday as well. With heavy traffic predicted, local schools have adopted these precautionary measures to keep students safe.
Local officials are bracing for a major influx of air travel with the visit. They estimate more than 150 planes will be able to land in Green Bay itself, making it a viable option for fans, media members, and NFL executives. The Packers have launched a special countdown-to-the-draft clock in the Lambeau Field Atrium. This decision intensifies our enthusiasm for this special anniversary convening!
Brad Toll, a leading force behind the city’s wide-ranging preparations, said he felt assured the city would land the draft. He reflected on the journey from application to realization: “From the beginning, we were like, we can do that. Then when you’re actually awarded it, you’re celebrating, and then quickly you have to realize we are doing this.”
The actual construction is just getting underway on the practice run at Jacques’ duplex. The local community has already begun to reap the benefits of these advanced preparations. “Watching the construction go up and taking everything in, it’s almost overwhelming,” Jacques stated about her home becoming part of such a historic event. She commented on the nearly two year wait since they first applied to host the draft. Now that the event is coming up, to actually be here and doing this, it’s very surreal for her.
Local entrepreneurs are gearing up for the economic windfall that accompanies hosting the nation’s top high schoolers. That hasn’t quelled complaints from some residents about the inconveniences from road closures and other construction. Erin Peterson acknowledged these challenges but remained optimistic: “I know there’s some in the community that are annoyed by it — the road closures, the construction, everything that comes with this — but living right here, I haven’t found it to get in the way or anything.”
In a statement that reflects both excitement and responsibility, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced, “With the first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the NFL selects… Green Bay, Wisconsin.” This historic declaration is a huge win for the league and the city.
The NFL‘s decision to host such an important event in Green Bay serves as a testament to the city’s rich football culture and passionate fan base. As the final touches are put in place and excitement percolates, most locals are welcoming these changes with open arms.
Brad Toll addressed logistical challenges posed by Green Bay’s size: “If you spend $8,000 on a Super Bowl ticket and we have a blizzard and you can’t get to Green Bay, what planner would ever agree to take those risks?” His remarks capture the allure and ambition that comes with hosting such significant events, but the hefty risk that accompanies them.
Though small in size, Green Bay knows that this is its moment to shine, and they’re using this opportunity to show off their community spirit and love of football. The NFL has taken over main arteries in the area for two weeks leading up to the draft to ensure smooth operations during this high-profile event.
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