As the 2025 NFL Draft heads to Green Bay, Milwaukee is ready to bring the celebration south with Milwaukee Tailgate Week, a citywide series of events running April 24–26 and presented by Potawatomi Sportsbook. Organized by Visit Milwaukee and Sports Milwaukee, the weeklong festivities offer fans the chance to experience NFL Draft excitement with a signature Milwaukee twist—complete with local brews, Hall of Fame history, and Packers legends.
With NFL buzz in the air, Milwaukee hotels are already seeing a major boost. Weekend occupancy is climbing rapidly, with downtown hotels already 58% booked for Friday night and 59% booked for Saturday. In fact, transient bookings—typically associated with leisure travelers—have already surpassed 160,000 bookings in April, a figure that will continue to climb with the Milwaukee Bucks’ ongoing playoff run.
“Milwaukee Tailgate Week is the ultimate way to complement your NFL Draft experience while enjoying everything that makes this city a premier destination for sports fans,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of Visit Milwaukee. “Whether you’re here for the football, the food, or the fanfare, there’s no better place to enhance your celebration of this historic moment for Wisconsin.”
Milwaukee Tailgate Week will feature live tapings, public events, tours, and family-friendly fun across the city. Highlights include:
Jordy Nelson’s Milwaukee Tailgate with “Inside the Huddle Live” (April 26) – Held at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, this Saturday night celebration includes Packers legends Jordy Nelson, Mason Crosby, and Nick Collins, along with interactive games, auctions, and appearances from local pro teams like the Brewers, Admirals, Wave, and Milkmen. Here’s just a taste of what you can expect at this once-in-a-lifetime event:
- Fans of all ages can test their skills at Journey House’s mini combine! With a skills course for kids and adults, you can see if you have what it takes to make it in the NFL.
- For even more gridiron greatness, the Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association is rolling out its accessible wheelchairs and football gear for fans of all ages to try out.
- Higher or lower? Potawatomi Casino | Hotel is bringing their giant hi-low card game to help you hone your blackjack skills.
- Mascot Mania: Team mascots from around the Greater Milwaukee area will make an appearance at the UW-Milwaukee Panther arena on Saturday, including:
- Bernie Brewer, Milwaukee Brewers
- Bo Vine, Milwaukee Milkmen
- Brad Beach, Milwaukee Wave
- Roscoe, Milwaukee Admirals
- Fans can also score some excitement in Mil-hockey this weekend with inflatable games, NHL video games, bubble hockey and so much more!
- You can also challenge your family to a game at the Milwaukee Milkmen and Milwaukee Wave booths.
Plus tons of giveaways, merch, food and more from Visit Milwaukee partners!
Tailgate Central at Potawatomi Sportsbook – The official kickoff location, where fans can catch NFL Draft coverage, place their bets, and enjoy themed food and drink specials. Exclusive hotel packages and watch party details are available now.
Tailgate Talk Live Luncheon (April 25) – This sold-out Friday event features NFL stars like Travis Beckum and Hub Arkush in a dynamic conversation, hosted at Saz’s South Second. Guests will enjoy a buffet lunch, networking, and meet-and-greet opportunities on the outdoor patio.
NFL Draft-Themed City Tours – City Tours MKE offers a history-rich tour of Milwaukee’s football roots, including stops at the Hilton Milwaukee—home of the 1939 NFL Draft—and the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame. Milwaukee Food & City Tours brings the party to the breweries with its “Draught Tour,” blending football trivia and local pours.
Shuttles to the Draft in Green Bay – Don’t miss a moment of the action! Milwaukee Food & City Tours offers round-trip shuttles from 38 area hotels, giving fans a convenient way to travel between Milwaukee and Green Bay each day of the Draft.
Online Silent Auction Benefiting Local Hospitality Workers – Visit Milwaukee’s Foundation is hosting a virtual auction filled with once-in-a-lifetime experiences, with all proceeds supporting the city’s tourism and service workforce.
Tickets, tour reservations, and auction information are available now at VisitMilwaukee.org/tailgate.
Milwaukee Tailgate Week is made possible through the support of 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, Events by Design, Boelter, Milwaukee Uncut, Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame, Gruber Law Offices, and the Bobby Portis Foundation.
Media are invited to cover any of these events. Interviews and images are available upon request.
For more information, contact:
Claire Koenig
Vice President of Communications & Advocacy
Visit Milwaukee
ckoenig@milwaukee.org | (414) 520-6708