For the first time ever, the NFL Draft was held in the league's smallest market (Green Bay), and as it turns out, the event was so popular that the NFL actually had to start turning fans away before the Tennessee Titans even went on the clock to make the first overall pick.
The draft officially started at 8 p.m. ET, and just four minutes after that, the Packers announced that entry into the draft would be temporarily paused because the event had reached its maximum capacity.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
The Green Bay police department also noted that entry into the draft would be temporarily halted for fans.
NFL UPDATE: NFL DRAFT ENTRY TEMPORARILY PAUSED
— Green Bay Police (@GBPolice) April 25, 2025
The event venue has reached maximum capacity. General Admission entry has been paused at this time. Thank you for your patience.
Reminder to download NFL One Pass to your phone for updates! pic.twitter.com/zSTR1w2RN5
Based on social media reaction, some fans were definitely upset that they weren't able to get it. Apparently, fans were turned away even if they got to the gate a full one hour before the draft started.
What a bust for GreenBay. Arrive at Draft entry gate at 1hr before draft only to be told no entry, at Max capacity. What a failure by GreenBay and the NFL for underestimating the attendance. By the way. I Am a Green Bay packer season ticket holder. What a disappointment.Bust
— Brian (@Brian19637909) April 25, 2025
TMJ4's Megan Lee was at entry 2 as hundreds of fans were waiting to get into the 2025 NFL Draft. The venue was at capacity for more than an hour. Now, general admission holders are once again being allowed in. pic.twitter.com/AuesvxYIsS
— TMJ4 News (@tmj4) April 25, 2025
Although some fans were upset, there were also plenty of fans who took the news in stride and didn't seem to mind that they weren't going to be allowed to enter the draft.
The #NFLDraft has reached capacity. Fans still hoping to get in are playing catch. @WISCTV_News3 pic.twitter.com/CpQ9moZqKv
— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) April 25, 2025
Green Bay is a city of just 105,000 people and there were more than that at the draft. During his opening speech at the draft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned that there were 125,000 fans "and counting" in attendance. If you're wondering what it looks like to have 125,000 fans crammed into a small area, the NFL shared a photo that will give you an idea of what exactly that looks like.
where's waldo? pic.twitter.com/NA7HdivojD
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2025
The NFL did eventually reopen the gates to the draft theater after about 40 minutes, according to the Green Bay Press Gazette. The fans outside the venue missed one of the craziest moments of the draft when the Jaguars landed Travis Hunter after making a trade with the Cleveland Browns for the second overall pick.