2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, ceremonial handoff in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE - The countdown to the 2025 NFL Draft officially began Tuesday with a ceremonial "Draft Handoff" from Michigan to Wisconsin.
A themed football arrived in Milwaukee from Detroit via the Lake Express Ferry from Muskegon, Michigan. It will be carried north to Green Bay to arrive in the Lambeau Field Atrium where a countdown clock will be unveiled.
"We’re the home of Titletown, and we sure the hell aren’t going to fumble it on our home turf," Gov. Tony Evers said.
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After years of planning, Green Bay will host next year’s draft. The NFL said the annual ceremony has been a traveling event since it left its New York home of 50 years nearly a decade ago.
"Back in Wisconsin for the first time since 1939," said Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president.
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NFL Draft ceremonial handoff of football from Michigan to Wisconsin
"I can think of no better place to host the NFL draft but the great state of Wisconsin and Green Bay, I mean, it doesn't get much better than the oldest stadium," said Tony Evers. "What's probably most special about this is the chance to give a group of rookies and their families, and folks will be sitting at the edge of their seats to see where their future will take them a chance to start their pro football career in the great city of Green Bay."
The NFL said this year's draft in Detroit drew 775,000 people.
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"We'll definitely have over a quarter-million visitors. And of course, there'll be millions of viewers on TV," said Packers President Mark Murphy. "It's an opportunity for us to celebrate football and welcome visitors. And as has been mentioned, the great history and tradition of the Packers and, of course, iconic Lambeau Field preparations, have been underway for a number of years."
"That means we have huge opportunities to capitalize on. People are going to want to come to this draft," said Peggy Williams-Smith, CEO of Visit Milwaukee.
Williams-Smith hopes many of those people will stay in Milwaukee. She said the one-two punch of this summer's Republican National Convention and next year's NFL Draft will help give a post-pandemic boost to the region's hospitality industry.
Tuesday's handoff incorporated the Packers training camp bike kid tradition; a small group of bicyclists on a special journey – "Pedal to te Draft" – are transporting the themed football from Milwaukee to Green Bay.
"We’re big bicyclists – we’ve actually bicycled across the country three times. We will be the tandem couple on the ride," said cyclist Tracy Flucke.
A small group left Port Milwaukee to usher in the new era. The group will include riders from the Packers, Travel Wisconsin, Wisconsin Bike Fed and Green Bay-area bike shops and bicycle advocates. Fans are encouraged to follow Packers social media and packers.com to track the progress of #PedalToTheDraft as the bicyclists make their way to Green Bay.
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"The draft has become such a big event. It’s going to be a week-long commercial for Wisconsin," Murphy said.
"As Wisconsinites, we are so excited to welcome legions of football fans to experience Wisconsin's spirited nature and our world class hospitality before, during and after the NFL draft in 2025," said Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Anne Sayers. "This is what Wisconsin is all about."
The 2025 NFL Draft, set for April 24-26, is projected to attract approximately 250,000 attendees over the course of the three-day event and have an economic impact of $94 million in Wisconsin, including approximately $20 million in the Green Bay area.