GREEN BAY, Wis. — The decision to bring the NFL draft to Green Bay, the league’s smallest market, was initially expected to draw a modest turnout. However, the passionate Packers fanbase had other plans. Packers president/CEO Mark Murphy initially predicted a cumulative attendance of 250,000 for the duration of the event. Yet, by the conclusion of the draft, NFL officials announced that the total attendance had soared to 600,000, more than doubling their expectations.
The attraction of Lambeau Field, considered a must-see by many football aficionados like Steven Chowanec from Osseo, Wisconsin, played a significant role in drawing such a large crowd. He shared his anticipation while waiting for the concluding rounds, highlighting Green Bay’s appeal as a destination.
The calculation of total attendance involves summing up the number of attendees for each day of the draft, meaning individuals who participated across all three days were recorded for each separate day. The attendance figure didn’t surpass last year’s record of over 775,000 set in Detroit. Still, it equaled the second-highest turnout since the event began traveling to different cities in 2015. This matched the attendance number from the 2019 draft in Nashville, Tennessee.
Attendance for the opening day was reported at 205,000, with 175,000 turning up for the subsequent rounds despite rainy weather. The final day saw around 220,000 attendees enjoying a sunny day, many lingering until the final round concluded and then staying for a Brad Paisley concert.
Such impressive numbers are particularly significant considering Green Bay’s population. The city itself has fewer than 110,000 residents, even though the greater metropolitan area houses approximately 320,000 people. Local residents, such as Paul Cegelski, a Packers season-ticket holder and shareholder, expressed pride over the turnout, dispelling any worries about disappointing attendance.
Beyond the local crowd, fans from various teams who journeyed to Green Bay shared their positive feedback. One such fan, Pati Cream from Houston, who won a contest to be named the Texans’ 2024 fan of the year, praised the community’s ability to manage the complexities of hosting such a large-scale event. This was her first time attending the draft in Green Bay after visiting several others.
Initial concerns about the smaller venue were put to rest, as Cream commended the welcoming nature of Packers fans and the ease of navigation around the city. Her experience at the event was described as thoroughly enjoyable thanks to the hospitable environment.