As announced today by Visit Milwaukee, Green Bay Packers legends Mason Crosby and Nick Collins are set to touch down at Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook. The duo will join Sports Milwaukee at Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate with Inside the Huddle Live on Saturday, April 26, at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena.
Held on the floor of UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate is the week’s cornerstone event featuring a live taping of the Green Bay Packers players' insider show, Inside the Huddle, hosted by Nelson. Crosby and Collins will also be on hand as the community comes together to celebrate the NFL Draft’s return to Wisconsin amidst an all-ages tailgate atmosphere. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the live taping of Inside the Huddle is slated for 5 p.m., which will be followed by an audience Q&A with featured guests.
“We are so excited to be joined by Green Bay Packers legends and future hall of famers,” said Josh Albrecht, chief marketing officer at Visit Milwaukee. “This line-up of already incredible athletes adds to the excitement of Milwaukee Tailgate Week and the offerings for fans.”
A future hall of famer as one of the NFL’s best kickers ever, Crosby was selected by the Packers in the sixth round (193rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Colorado. He played in 258 regular-season games and a team-record 23 postseason contests for Green Bay. Crosby ranks No. 1 in team history for games played and consecutive games played (258), and his 16 seasons with the Packers (2007-22) are tied for the second most in franchise history. He helped the Packers win a Super Bowl and nine division titles, reach the NFC Championship six times and make the playoffs 12 times. Crosby is the franchise leader in career points (1,918), field goals (395), 50-yard field goals (43) and extra points (733).
“Having the NFL Draft in Wisconsin is a great moment for the state and the region,” Green Bay Packers legend Mason Crosby said. “I am excited to get the opportunity to hang out with my friends Jordy Nelson and Nick Collins to talk about it, especially at a tailgate party with awesome Packers fans,” said Mason Crosby.
Collins played seven seasons for the Packers after being selected in the second round of the 2005 NFL draft. He led the league in interceptions returned for touchdowns and interception return yards in 2008. In Super Bowl XLV in 2011, Collins recorded an interception for a touchdown as the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 31–25. Following a career-ending neck injury, Collins retired in 2014 and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2016.
“I always enjoy coming back to Wisconsin to hang out with Packers fans as they are the best fans in the NFL,” Green Bay Packers legend Nick Collins said. “I am looking forward to talking about the draft, what it was like when I was drafted and getting the opportunity to talk to Packers fans at Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate.”
In addition to player appearances and an interactive Q&A, Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate highlights include: booth activations and mascot appearances courtesy of the Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Wave and Milwaukee Milkmen; a mini combine operated by Journey House Packers Flag Football; an adaptive sports area powered by the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (WASA); a merchandise booth from Team Lammi; and a welcome zone with giveaways from Visit Milwaukee and Potawatomi Sportsbook.
VIP tickets cost $75 (+ taxes/fees) and include player meet-and-greet opportunities, access to a hospitality area with complimentary food and beverages, and upfront table seats for the live taping of Inside the Huddle. General admission is $10 (plus taxes/fees) and includes access to the floor tailgate zone and limited GA floor seats (first come, first served). Sports Milwaukee is also offering two ticket specials: use code VISIT for 50% off GA tickets now through 12 p.m. April 26. Moreover, celebrate Milwaukee Day on April 14 by using code 414 for a $4.14 ticket, which is only available on April 14. Get tickets at www.VisitMilwaukee.org/tailgate.
From serving as host city of the 1939 NFL Draft and Championship game to its rich ties with the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee has long been a proud player in making sports and football history. Now, more than 80 years later, the Brew City is ready to celebrate the Draft’s return to Wisconsin as Sports Milwaukee hosts Milwaukee Tailgate Week Presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook. Set for Thursday-Saturday, April 24-26, Milwaukee Tailgate Week features a variety of gridiron activations for all ages steeped in Milwaukee’s iconic sports history, its attractions, brews, pubs, restaurants and venues. As the 2025 NFL Draft takes center stage in Green Bay, Sports Milwaukee and the Cream City are excited to help welcome the football world back to Wisconsin.
Milwaukee Tailgate Week is highlighted by Tailgate Central at Potawatomi Sportsbook from April 24-26, the Tailgate Talk Live Luncheon on April 25, Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate with Inside the Huddle Live on April 26, and NFL Draft-themed tour packages and shuttles courtesy or City Tours MKE and Milwaukee Food & City Tours.
Special thanks to our Milwaukee Tailgate Week partners: Potawatomi Sportsbook, TEAM LAMMI, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Wisconsin Center District, Journey House, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Wave, Milwaukee Milkmen, Saz’s Hospitality Group, South Second, City Tours MKE, Milwaukee Food & City Tours, Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association, Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame.
