When Does the NFL Draft Start – 2025 Schedule in Green Bay

The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled to unfold across three days in late April, with the first round beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 24, 2025. The event returns to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the first time since 1975, marking a historic moment for the NFL’s flagship offseason spectacle.

This year’s draft marks a significant homecoming for the Green Bay Packers organization, which successfully lobbied to bring the annual player selection process to Lambeau Field and the adjacent Titletown District. The three-day event will span seven rounds, with subsequent rounds scheduled across Friday and Saturday under varying start times.

When Does the 2025 NFL Draft Start?

The complete schedule reflects the NFL’s standard format, with each day’s proceedings beginning at different times to accommodate the varying complexity of each draft segment:

• Round 1 begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, typically lasting two to three hours depending on trade activity and pick pacing
• Rounds 2 and 3 commence Friday at 7 p.m. ET, following the same broadcast window structure
• Rounds 4 through 7 unfold Saturday starting at noon ET, extending through the afternoon and early evening
• The 2025 draft marks the first time the event has been held at Lambeau Field since 1975
• Green Bay was selected over Washington, D.C. as the host city in May 2023 following a competitive bidding process
• Commissioner Roger Goodell will announce picks from the Draft Theater adjacent to Lambeau Field

Where Is the 2025 NFL Draft Being Held?

The 2025 NFL Draft takes place at Lambeau Field and the Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The selection represents a landmark moment for both the NFL and the Green Bay community, which has long sought to host the league’s marquee offseason event.

The event footprint extends beyond the main stadium, incorporating multiple venues in the surrounding area. The Resch Complex and other nearby facilities serve as secondary venues for various draft operations. Draft Theater, a purpose-built structure adjacent to Lambeau Field, hosts the primary selection ceremonies where Commissioner Goodell announces each pick.

NFL Draft Experience and Fan Activities

Beyond the on-field selections, the NFL Draft Experience offers a free, family-friendly festival spanning the parking lots outside Lambeau Field and the Titletown District. The festival provides interactive activities for fans of all ages throughout the three-day event. Those planning to attend should also check coverage of related offseason storylines, including the Las Vegas Raiders coach fired situation that continues to generate league-wide discussion.

Fans attending the festival can participate in interactive games, secure autographs from current and former players, photograph the Lombardi Trophy, and engage in youth-focused activities designed to immerse younger visitors in the draft experience. The festival operates independently from the selection proceedings but adds significant community atmosphere to the overall event.

Event Policies and Practical Information

Attendees should be aware of several operational policies implemented for the 2025 draft. The entire event footprint operates on a cashless basis, requiring all transactions to be processed through card or mobile payment systems. Security measures include NFL carry-in rules and a clear bag policy consistent with protocols at other NFL venues.

The Lambeau Field Atrium, which typically offers stadium tours, access to the Hall of Fame, and the Pro Shop, has adjusted operating hours from April 14 through May 5 to accommodate draft preparations and operations. Visitors planning tours or merchandise purchases during this window should verify current hours before arrival.

How Can I Watch the 2025 NFL Draft?

The 2025 NFL Draft airs across multiple networks, ensuring viewers have numerous options for following every selection. NFL Network, ABC, and ESPN provide comprehensive English-language coverage, while ESPN Deportes offers Spanish-language broadcast services for Spanish-speaking audiences.

Coverage start times align with the scheduled draft sessions, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, 7 p.m. ET on Friday, and noon ET on Saturday. Pre-draft programming typically begins approximately one hour before each session, providing analysis, commentary, and expert predictions for the selections ahead.

Streaming Options

Digital viewers can access live coverage through various streaming platforms. The networks broadcasting the draft offer companion apps and digital platforms where registered users can stream selections in real time. ESPN’s streaming services provide comprehensive coverage including draft analysis and real-time pick updates. For those comparing viewing options across the league, our guide on where to watch Buffalo Bills vs Jacksonville Jaguars provides additional streaming insights applicable to draft weekend viewing.

The NFL+ platform offers additional mobile viewing options for users seeking flexibility in how they watch the draft. The NFL OnePass app provides supplementary features including event maps, attraction wait times, and logistical information for those attending in person.

Who Has the No. 1 Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?

The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, having secured the top spot following their 3-14 record during the 2024 regular season. The Titans used this premium position to select Cam Ward, quarterback from the Miami Hurricanes, marking a potential franchise-altering decision for the organization.

The full draft order reflects team performances from the previous season, with tiebreakers applied when multiple teams share identical records. Teams holding early selections in subsequent rounds include the Cleveland Browns at pick 33, the New York Giants at 34, and the Tennessee Titans again at pick 35 following their first-round trade activity.

The draft order extends through all seven rounds, with the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs holding the 63rd selection and the Philadelphia Eagles concluding the third round at pick 64. These positions become relevant as teams assess their strategic options for building roster depth across multiple positional needs.

Trade activity historically accompanies the draft, particularly in the first round where teams frequently exchange picks to move up for specific prospects or accumulate additional selections. The Titans’ selection of Ward with the first overall pick remained unchanged throughout the pre-draft process, though other selections may shift based on trade negotiations that occur during the event itself.

Draft Day Timeline

The 2025 NFL Draft follows a structured schedule across its three-day duration, with each session featuring specific rounds and corresponding start times:

1. Thursday, April 24 — Round 1: Coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET with the first pick expected around 8:15 p.m. ET. The round typically concludes between 11 p.m. and midnight ET depending on pick duration and trade frequency.
2. Friday, April 25 — Rounds 2-3: Friday evening coverage starts at 7 p.m. ET. Round 2 picks begin promptly at 7 p.m. ET, with Round 3 commencing following the conclusion of Round 2 selections.
3. Saturday, April 26 — Rounds 4-7: The final day begins at noon ET with continuous selections through all four remaining rounds. The draft typically concludes between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET depending on pick pacing.

Draft Theater operations follow a slightly different schedule than the broadcast coverage. The venue opens for attendees at approximately 5 p.m. CT on Thursday, 4 p.m. CT on Friday, and 10 a.m. CT on Saturday, with closing times extending until 11 p.m. CT on Thursday and Friday and 7 p.m. CT on Saturday.

What We Know and What Remains Uncertain

The NFL has confirmed the core schedule parameters as established in October 2024, providing reliable baseline information for planning purposes. The overall framework of dates, times, and venue locations remains stable, though minor operational adjustments may occur as the event approaches.

Green Bay’s Draft History and Significance

Green Bay last hosted the NFL Draft in 1975, making the 2025 edition a milestone moment for the smallest-market franchise in professional sports. The selection of Green Bay as host city reflects the NFL’s recognition of the franchise’s unique position within the league and the passionate fan base that defines the Green Bay community.

The decision to award the draft to Green Bay followed a competitive process that included Washington, D.C. as a finalist. The May 2023 announcement confirming Green Bay’s selection represented a significant win for the organization and the broader Wisconsin community, which has embraced the draft opportunity as a chance to showcase the region’s connection to professional football.

The timing aligns with the post-Super Bowl cycle that traditionally generates heightened interest in roster building across all 32 franchises. Each team approaches the draft with specific positional needs identified during the preceding season, creating a structured evaluation process that spans from college all-star games through private prospect workouts in the months preceding the event.

Sources and Official Information

“Green Bay represents everything that makes the NFL draft special—the passion of our fans, the history of our game, and the connection between a team and its community that defines football in America.”

The official NFL announcement confirmed all scheduling parameters, with subsequent updates provided through team communications and league press releases. Sports industry coverage has maintained consistent reporting on draft logistics and selection previews throughout the pre-draft period.

The Green Bay Packers organization has served as the primary local authority for venue operations, fan information, and event logistics. The team’s official draft website provides comprehensive details on parking, transportation, and spectator guidance for those planning to attend in person.

Key Takeaways

The 2025 NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET with the first round from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The three-day event features seven rounds across Thursday evening, Friday evening, and Saturday afternoon sessions, concluding the traditional draft format that has defined the NFL’s player selection process for decades.

Viewers can access comprehensive coverage through NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Deportes, with streaming options available through network platforms. The Tennessee Titans hold the first overall selection and chose quarterback Cam Ward from Miami to anchor their 2025 draft class.

Frequently Asked Questions