As the 2025 NFL Draft draws nearer, a sobering realization has dawned on vacation rental operators in the Green Bay region. Hopeful homeowners once dreamed of renting out their properties through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO for figures as high as $10,000, $18,000, and even $43,000 per night during the Draft period. However, these dreams have been deferred, with rental costs receiving significant cuts in the thousands in the run-up to the event.
Such a reduction in the pricing of vacation lodging is not entirely surprising. For a while now, tourism officials from the Green Bay area have been hinting at the fact that many visitors to the Draft are likely to be families. These families, they cautioned, would likely be unwilling or unable to pay exorbitantly high sums for nightly accommodations.
On top of this, about 20 hotels situated around the Green Bay region are reportedly still offering accommodation during the period of the Draft. The majority of these establishments feature room rates under $800 per night, providing a more wallet-friendly lodging alternative to the pricier rentals. This availability and affordability further add to the downward push on rental prices.
Given that the NFL Draft is a free family event, it’s expected to attract not just a corporate audience as seen in events like the Super Bowl, but also real people forming family units. As such, the asking prices set by some property owners are unrealistic given the nature of the attendees coming for the event.
Prospective visitors now have an opportunity to secure vacation rentals close to the renowned Lambeau Field for less than $700 per night. This cost applies for the duration encompassing the day prior to the Draft’s initiation (April 23rd) and the day after its conclusion (April 27th). In fact, Airbnb lists roughly 560 available rentals in the Green Bay region, ranging from about $620 to over $14,200 per night – the equivalent being from $2,380 to $57,051 for a four-night stay during the Draft week.
For those families hoping to transform the Draft into an eventful weekend by booking their stay for the period of April 25-27, around 100 properties in the Green Bay area offer rates under $1,000 per night ($2,000 in total). In addition, 16 of these properties offer even lower prices of less than $500 per night ($1,000 in total).
Although these available properties are not all conveniently located within walking distance of Lambeau Field, the location of the Draft, much of Green Bay can be traversed to reach the Draft venue within a 10 to 15-minute drive.
At present, the cheapest available rental for the 25th to 27th of April goes for $341 per night ($682 in total) and can comfortably host a family of four. It is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home situated on the West side of Green Bay, a mere 13 minutes away from Lambeau Field.
Conversely, the most extravagantly-priced listing for the same period would set a family of four back by $5,850 per night, or a total of $11,697. It describes a three-bedroom, luxury loft with 1.5 bathrooms, located in the vibrant Broadway District in downtown Green Bay.
A property manager of vacation rentals suggests that although Airbnb rates are starting to look more reasonable, they still have a ways to go to adequately align with the realities of the visitors coming for the Draft. The risk here is that if the prices don’t take a further downward turn, several properties might be left vacant due to overpricing.
As it stands, the primary group of visitors consists of fans. The idea of such fans bringing their families to the event and shelling out thousands of dollars just for accommodations seems highly unlikely. Property owners, therefore, need to meticulously reconsider their pricing tactics if they want to ensure patronage.
The local tourism marketing agency aims to fill all hotel rooms and vacation rentals at the best possible prices. However, they also advise property owners to manage their expectations appropriately in the coming days.
The agency always aspires for available accommodations and hotels to secure the best possible rates as it yields a communal advantage. However, the price balance needs to be mindful of the event’s nature. Owners need to avoid pricing themselves out of contention – after all, this is a family event.