GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The NFL is giving Northeast Wisconsin residents plenty of opportunities to get involved in the once-in-a-lifetime event that is the NFL Draft.
On Monday, the league announced a series of community events taking place throughout Green Bay during the week of the draft.
“From events highlighting the role of football in fostering stronger communities to projects centered around youth wellness and community greening, the 2025 NFL Draft community activations will uplift the city of Green Bay and celebrate its iconic status in the history of football,” a news release explains.
Officials say attending these events is a great way to take part in the NFL Draft, even if you aren’t within the event’s footprint.
Some events are free and open to the public, while others require tickets, an invitation or a credential. Here is a list of all the events and details about each one.
Monday, April 21:
NFL Draft Community Greening Project at Amelia Cornelius Culture Park
WHEN & WHERE: 2-3 p.m.; Amelia Cornelius Culture Park (1000 Pleasant Lane, Green Bay)
WHAT: A greening project in partnership with Verizon, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the State of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers to enhance green spaces at the Amelia Cornelius Culture Park in Green Bay. In honor of Earth Day, volunteers will participate in a large-scale cleanup project across the Fox-Wolf Watershed, a significant waterway in the Green Bay area.
Tuesday, April 22:
Character Playbook Panel
WHEN & WHERE: 9-10 a.m.;West De Pere Middle School (1177 S. 9th Street, De Pere)
WHAT: The Character Playbook Speaker Series – NFL Draft event will bring together panelists from around the league, students local to Green Bay and students from across the country who have participated in Character Playbook to discuss themes found in the courses Character Playbook – Understanding Mental Wellness. Local students will have the opportunity to gather for a live panel discussion and participate in activities surrounding the theme “Lifting Each Other Up.” The panel discussion will also be hosted virtually for classrooms across the country interested in participating.
GENYOUth Taste of the Draft School Meals and NFL FLAG-In-School Celebration
WHEN & WHERE: 9-10 a.m.; Valley View Elementary School (2200 True Lane, Ashwaubenon)
WHAT: GENYOUth will host a dynamic Taste of the Draft School Meals and NFL FLAG-In-School Celebration at Valley View Elementary School in Ashwaubenon, WI, as part of NFL Draft week festivities in Green Bay. The event will bring together students, educators, partners, NFL greats, and local leaders to spotlight GENYOUth’s mission to end student hunger and promote physical activity. Through Taste of the Draft proceeds, 90 Wisconsin schools will receive new meal equipment and NFL FLAG-In-School kits to expand opportunities for students to be well-nourished and active.
NFL Draft Fox-Wolf Watershed Earth Day Cleanup
WHEN & WHERE: 12-1 p.m.; Bomier Boat Launch (700 Fox River Dr., De Pere)
WHAT: In celebration of Earth Day, NFL Green and NFL partner Verizon are teaming up with the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (FWWA) to support a clean-up of the Fox River Trail. The FWWA works to protect and restore the waters of the Fox-Wolf River basin – a significant watershed in the Green Bay area. This Draft week event offers local residents the opportunity to take action ahead of the main Fox-Wolf Watershed Cleanup, which is one of the largest volunteer-led environmental efforts in Wisconsin.
This event complements another Earth Day event that the city of Green Bay is hosting at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
NFL and Little Caesars Love Kitchen Event
WHEN & WHERE: 5-7 p.m.; New Community Shelter (301 Mather St, Green Bay)
WHAT: The NFL and Little Caesars are hosting an event for members of the New Community Shelter in Green Bay. In partnership with the Little Caesars Love Kitchen, the event aims to reach between 300-400 community members and families, providing them with a day of food, activities, and football.
The New Community Shelter is an emergency facility that offers temporary housing, transitional living, and meals to the local community. Its Community Meal Program is available to any individual in need, including those experiencing homelessness or food insecurity, with staff and volunteers serving dinner every day of the year and lunch on weekends and holidays. The Community Meal Program is managed by volunteer groups who bring in or use shelter-provided food, prepare it, and serve it to those in need. This program has served over 2 million meals since its inception.
Wednesday, April 23:
Play Football Prospect Clinic with Special Olympics (*Draft credential required*)
WHEN & WHERE: 9:30-11 a.m.;Draft Experience Play Football Field (1065 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay)
WHAT: The NFL will host its annual Prospect Clinic on the Play Football Field within NFL Draft Experience in Green Bay, connecting local youth football players and Special Olympics athletes with NFL Draft prospects. During the clinic, USA Football coaches and Draft prospects will guide participants through a series of basic football skills and drills stations. NFL Draft prospects, along with NFL Network Draft analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Charles Davis, and Joel Klatt, will be available to the media following the flag football portion of the event.
The NFL and Special Olympics team up year-round to provide opportunities for athletes of all ages and abilities to get active through the league’s PLAY 60 initiative. Through this partnership, the NFL helps fund Unified Sports, including Unified flag football, which allows individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same team.
Taste of the Draft
WHEN & WHERE: 4-7 p.m.; 400 N. Washington Street, Green Bay
WHAT: GENYOUth will bring the ultimate Wisconsin supper club experience to Green Bay with Taste of the Draft, a new community impact initiative presented by Schreiber Foods in collaboration with the Green Bay Packers. Net proceeds will help end student hunger in Wisconsin. Join renowned chefs Andrew Zimmern, Mark Bucher, and Paul Bartolotta, along with 20 legendary Wisconsin supper clubs and Green Bay Packers greats including LeRoy Butler, Jerry Kramer, James Lofton, Dave Robinson, and Ahman Green.
Thursday, April 24:
NFL Inspire Change Event
WHEN & WHERE: 9:30-10:30 a.m.; Oneida Nation Elementary School (N7125 Seminary Rd, Oneida)
WHAT: Inspire Change, the NFL’s social justice initiative, will address the digital divide needs of children of the Oneida Nation ages 3-18. At the event, representatives from the NFL, Green Bay Packers, Oneida Nation and Oneida Reads will explore interactive stations focused on STEM and gaming with new devices, plus participate in flag football drills led by USA Football. Together, the NFL Foundation and Green Bay Packers will provide a joint $150,000 grant to non-profit Compudopt, which provides new and refurbished devices to communities in need. These funds will provide nearly 500 devices to the district for students to use in-school and at home.
NFL and Lowe’s Community Project
WHEN & WHERE: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; 0 Richmond Street, Green Bay
WHAT: During Draft week, the NFL will come together with its official community improvement partner, Lowe’s, to host a project with the Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity. Green Bay Packers Legend Clay Matthews will join Lowe’s red vest associates to support the construction of a 14-home development in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Green Bay’s Habitat Homestead. The NFL and Lowe’s will also make a joint donation to support the project, which has the potential of supporting up to 91 people.
USAA NFL Draft Chalk Talk
WHEN & WHERE: 2-3 p.m.; Green Bay
WHAT: As part of USAA’s year-round commitment to recognize and honor the military and veteran community, USAA, an official NFL Salute to Service Partner, will be hosting Wisconsin based military service members at a special USAA Salute to Service NFL Draft Chalk Talk and meet and greet with NFL running back Josh Jacobs and NFL legend Clay Matthews. The attendees will get to hear directly from the players about their draft experiences before attending the 2025 NFL Draft.
Saturday, April 26:
Madden NFL Youth Championship
WHEN & WHERE: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Lambeau Field (1265 Lombardi Ave, Green Bay)
WHAT: The event will welcome over 150 local area students from the Boys and Girls Club of Green Bay and Special Olympics Wisconsin to attend the championship finals. A nationwide online competition was held through the PlayVS platform to identify the two best student Madden players in the country between the ages of 13-18. The Madden Youth Championship is powered by a strategic partnership between the NFL and PlayVS, underscored by a collective commitment to provide access to competitive gaming and learning opportunities for students.
