You've probably already started looking at your calendar, wondering exactly when the football world descends on Wisconsin. It's a fair question. The NFL draft has become a traveling circus, moving from city to city, but there’s something different about this one.
The when is nfl draft 2025 question has a very specific answer: April 24 to April 26, 2025.
It isn't just another weekend. For the first time, the "Frozen Tundra" of Lambeau Field isn't hosting a game; it's hosting the future. If you've ever been to Green Bay, you know it's a town that lives and breathes green and gold. Seeing the draft theater set up in the shadow of that iconic stadium? That’s going to be something else entirely.
The 2025 NFL Draft Schedule: When to Tune In
Honestly, the NFL has turned this into a primetime television spectacle, so the times are pretty much set in stone. You aren't just looking at one long day of names being called. It’s a three-day marathon.
- Round 1: Thursday, April 24. This is the big one. It starts at 8 p.m. ET. Expect plenty of hand-wringing and "shocking" trades.
- Rounds 2-3: Friday, April 25. The action picks up at 7 p.m. ET. This is where the real value is found, or where GMs lose their jobs.
- Rounds 4-7: Saturday, April 26. A noon ET start. It’s a long day. Grab a coffee. These are the guys who make or break your special teams.
Basically, if you're planning a draft party, Thursday night is your headline event.
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Why Green Bay Matters for the 2025 Dates
Most people don't realize how much work goes into hosting this. Green Bay is the smallest market to ever host the draft. It’s a bold move by the league. They aren't just using the stadium; the whole Titletown District and the Resch Center campus are being converted into a massive fan festival.
They call it the NFL Draft Experience. It’s free. You just need the NFL OnePass app to get in.
There’s a certain irony in having the draft here. While the when is nfl draft 2025 dates are fixed, the "where" feels like a throwback to the league's roots. You’ve got the Lambeau Field Atrium being used for operations, and fans will actually be able to sit in the stadium bowl to watch the picks on the big screens.
What most people get wrong about the timing
I’ve heard a few folks ask if the draft moves based on the playoffs. Nope. The dates are locked in way in advance. The only thing that changes is the order. And boy, does that order look interesting this year.
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The Tennessee Titans ended up with that coveted No. 1 overall pick. Right behind them? The Cleveland Browns and the New York Giants. If you’re a fan of those teams, April 24 is basically your Christmas morning.
Top Prospects Everyone Is Watching
When the clock starts on April 24, who is actually going off the board?
The buzz right now is all about Travis Hunter from Colorado. The guy is a freak of nature. He plays wide receiver. He plays cornerback. He rarely leaves the field. Seeing where a two-way player like that lands is going to be the story of the first round.
Then you’ve got Abdul Carter from Penn State. If your team needs an edge rusher who can blow up a backfield in half a second, he's the guy. He wears number 11, and the Micah Parsons comparisons are already flying around. It's almost unfair.
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And we can't ignore the quarterbacks. Cam Ward from Miami and Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss are the names leading the conversation. Quarterback needy teams always reach. It happens every single year. Expect at least one "who?" moment in the top ten that sends Twitter into a meltdown.
Planning Your Trip to the Draft
If you're actually going to be in Green Bay, you need to be smart. This isn't Chicago or Vegas with 50,000 hotel rooms.
Parking is going to be a nightmare. The Packers have already announced that South Oneida Street and Armed Forces Drive will be closed off to accommodate the Draft Theater. You'll want to park in the north and west lots—specifically Lots 4, 5, and 6—if you can even find a spot.
- Download the OnePass App: You literally can't get into the festival without it. It's your ticket.
- Go Cashless: The entire event site is cashless. If you've only got greenbacks, you'll have to find a "cash-to-card" station in the Atrium.
- Dress for Wisconsin: It’s late April. It could be 70 degrees. It could be snowing. Wisconsin weather doesn't care about your plans.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Now that you know when is nfl draft 2025 and what to expect, don't just sit there. The draft order is set, but the trades haven't started yet.
- Check your team's needs: Look at your roster. Does your team have a first-round pick? The Falcons and Vikings actually have the fewest total selections this year (only 5), so they might be looking to move around.
- Register early: If you want to be in the "standing room only" area near the theater, get to the Titletown area hours before the 8 p.m. start on Thursday. It’s first-come, first-served.
- Follow the mock drafts: Experts like Daniel Jeremiah are already deep into their big boards. Keep an eye on how players like Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) rise or fall after the combine.
The countdown to April 24 is officially on. Green Bay is ready. The question is, is your team?