GREEN BAY, Wis. – Excitement is building as Green Bay gears up for the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26 at the iconic Lambeau Field. The NFL has unveiled a thrilling lineup of events, including a red carpet walk, a dazzling drone show, and a free concert, making this year’s draft festivities a must-see for fans.
On Thursday, April 24, the NFL Draft Red Carpet will kick off the celebrations at 4:00 p.m. CT, allowing fans to witness draft prospects as they make their way to the stage. "The concourse will be open 360 degrees," said Megan Roberson, a planning specialist for the Green Bay Packers. "Not all the concession stands will be open, but it provides fans the opportunity to walk around the concourse, to take a peak inside Lambeau Field and see the red carpet setup on the field." Fans will be able to watch from the stands, with capacity details yet to be finalized, but entry will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The festivities will feature a special performance by a Milwaukee youth choir, singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing," directed by Grammy award recipient Dr. Jeffrey Redding. Following this, singer-songwriter Stephen Wilson Jr. will perform the national anthem. Adding to the spectacle, four Black Hawk helicopters from the Wisconsin Army National Guard will conduct a flyover over Lambeau Field.
As the night unfolds, Packers legends will join NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on stage, marking the official start of the draft. Day 1 promises to be an unforgettable experience, with fans eager to see which prospects will be selected.
Day 2, on April 25, will continue the excitement as 32 NFL legends and players from the 2000 draft class announce selections to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that iconic draft class. Notable participants include Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, Packers Legend Jordy Nelson, and Wisconsin greats Joe Thomas and Jonathan Taylor. The evening will culminate in a spectacular drone show featuring 1,000 drones launching from the Packers practice field, set to music.
As for Day 3 on April 26, the atmosphere will be filled with local traditions and family-friendly entertainment. The day will start at 8:00 a.m. with a bike parade, allowing kids aged three to 14 to ride their bikes through a predetermined route. “Kids ages three to 14 will be able to enter the Armed Forces premium entry,” Roberson noted, highlighting the community spirit of the event.
The Wisconsin Humane Society will also participate by showcasing 15 dogs for adoption from the draft stage, a heartwarming initiative that aims to find these pups loving homes. Core Viars, a media specialist for the Wisconsin Humane Society, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: "The NFL reached out to us and said they were looking to highlight some local community nonprofits. We were very quick to respond, and we loved it."
The final day will feature a free concert in the Draft Theater, set to begin around 6:00 p.m. once the picks are completed. The NFL has promised to announce the headliner in the coming days, keeping fans in suspense.
In addition to the red carpet and concerts, the NFL Draft Experience in Titletown and the surrounding area will offer interactive activities such as high jump challenges, the 40-yard dash, and exhibits from the NFL Hall of Fame. Fans will have the opportunity to meet star players and NFL legends, while also getting a glimpse of the Vince Lombardi Trophy and all 58 Super Bowl rings.
The NFL Draft Experience will be open from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Fans eager to enter the draft campus will need to register through the NFL's website or the NFL OnePass app.
As the draft approaches, speculation about which players the Green Bay Packers will select continues to swirl. According to NFL Draft IQ, a new analytics service launched by NFL.com, the most likely prospects for the Packers' first-round pick include Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, and Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, among others. NFL Draft IQ claims that the Packers are expected to select a defensive lineman or cornerback in about two-thirds of drafts.
Interestingly, Green Bay’s “trade up likelihood” is rated three out of five stars, while their “trade down likelihood” sits at two stars. This suggests that the Packers may be more inclined to move up in the draft rather than down. Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht recently commented on the draft landscape, stating that he doesn’t believe there’s much of a market for trade-ups this year.
As anticipation builds for the 2025 NFL Draft, fans are eager to see how the Packers will leverage their first-round pick, especially considering their history of selecting defensive players in early rounds. With a mix of local festivities, community involvement, and high-stakes football decisions, Green Bay is set to host an unforgettable draft experience.
Whether you’re a die-hard Packers fan or a casual observer, the upcoming NFL Draft promises to be a celebration of football, community, and the excitement of new beginnings. Mark your calendars and get ready to join the festivities in Green Bay!
