MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address celebrating the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft being held next week, April 24-26, 2025, in Green Bay and welcoming visitors from across the globe to Wisconsin.
Gov. Evers and his administration have long advocated for bringing high-caliber sporting events like the NFL Draft to Wisconsin to showcase the state’s rich history of professional sports and high-quality travel and tourism infrastructure. The 2023-25 Biennial Budget signed by Gov. Evers provided $2 million in grants to Discover Green Bay specifically to help bolster and support marketing efforts to promote Wisconsin and Green Bay, capture the attention of thousands of folks who will be attending the 2025 NFL Draft, and showcase all the state has to offer on a global stage.
To support Wisconsin’s recent success in recruiting and hosting large-scale events like the Draft, in his 2023-25 Biennial Budget, Gov. Evers proposed creating and funding a $30 million opportunity and attraction fund, a measure that has significant benefits for local and regional businesses and workers, Main Streets, and the statewide economy. The final budget, as enacted by Gov. Evers, created the Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and provided $10 million for the fund in the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) supplemental appropriation. Currently, JFC has released $5 million of this $10 million investment, despite the governor’s request to release the remaining funds to help support large-scale events, such as the Draft. The governor’s 2025-27 Executive Budget similarly proposes an additional $5 million to continue the Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund in fiscal year 2025-26.
According to the Packers, the 2025 NFL Draft is expected to draw approximately 250,000 attendees during the three-day event and have an economic impact of $94 million in Wisconsin, including approximately $20 million in the Green Bay area.
More information about the 2025 NFL Draft coming to Titletown is available here.
RADIO ADDRESS
Hey there, Wisconsin! Governor Tony Evers here.
There’s only a few days left until our state welcomes visitors, guests, and football fans from across the globe to Green Bay for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Hosting the Draft is a win-win-win for our state. It’s a win for the players and for the fans and a win for all the folks that will be coming to our door to see what we’re all about.
The Draft is an outstanding opportunity to showcase everything Wisconsin and Titletown have to offer—and on a global stage. The economic benefits will be felt by local businesses, Main Streets, and communities throughout the Fox Valley and across our state.
According to the Packers, the 2025 NFL Draft is expected to draw approximately 250,000 attendees during the three-day event and have an economic impact of $94 million in Wisconsin, including approximately $20 million in the Green Bay area.
That is a really big deal, folks.
I was glad to work to secure $2 million to help bolster and support marketing efforts to promote Wisconsin and Green Bay during our last budget to help ensure this event is a success.
We also worked to create our new Opportunity Attraction and Promotion Fund to continue bringing significant events to our state that benefit our local and regional businesses, workers, and statewide economy.
The folks in Green Bay have been hard at work to make sure our communities and partners are ready, and with a spotlight on local businesses, vendors, food, and experiences, I’m so excited to welcome folks to Wisconsin for what I am sure will be an unforgettable experience for all involved.
So, whether you’re watching at home or making your way to Lambeau, welcome to Wisconsin, Football Fans!
We are happy to have you here.
Last Update: Apr 18, 2025 8:09 am CDT
