NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell knows how special the 2025 NFL draft is going to be for the people in the league’s smallest market. 

“The community here in Green Bay, they haven’t been able to have an event like this, ever,” Goodell said. “They’ve had championship games and they’ve been marvelous but there are going to be a lot more people here at the draft than can fit in Lambeau Field for a game. I think it’s put them on a stage and I hope we make them proud for a few days.”

Green Bay is expecting roughly 250,000 people to attend the three-day event. For context, about 105,000 people live in Green Bay, according to the U.S. Census. Bureau. The event is free for fans.

Goodell made the comments in Green Bay during an interview with Mike Greenberg on ESPN before the first round of the NFL draft began. 

“I think this is going to be a special experience for the people not just in this community but communities from all around,” Goodell said. 

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Goodell said the history of the NFL can’t be told “without the Green Bay Packers.” 

“Everything from Lambeau Field to the Super Bowl trophy being named after one of their iconic coaches, Vince Lombardi,” Goodell said. “This is an event that we think smaller communities can host because people are going to come from all different areas and it may be the first time or the only time they get to be in Lambeau.”