No fans at Packers preseason events could be $40 million blow to area economy
BROWN COUNTY, Wis. (WLUK) -- Tourism officials say the Green Bay Packers' announcement that fans won’t be allowed at training camp, Family Night or preseason games likely means a $40 million loss for the Green Bay-area economy.
From the player bike rides to fans lining the Ray Nitschke Field fences and families packing Lambeau Field for a practice, a lot will be missing as the Packers prepare for the 2020 season.
“I know a lot of people like going and they're going to miss it, but what are you going to do about it? You've got to be careful if you want to live,” said Nancy Pilz, a season ticket holder from Sheboygan Falls.
While fans may survive without preseason rituals, Greater Green Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Brad Toll says some businesses might not.
“Given the lack of revenue really since March until now, if we have a really weak fall as well, it's going to be tough for a number of businesses to survive,” said Toll.
The CVB puts the area economic impact of training camp and Family Night between $9 million and $10 million. Losing two preseason games is about $30 million, $15 million apiece. Most of that is expected to be lost with no fans.
Throw in the recently canceled Wisconsin-Notre Dame game at Lambeau Field, and the area economy is already losing about $55 million.
“We know the Packers are working on trying to find solutions, working with our health officials locally and on a state level, as well as the NFL to find a path forward, which we greatly appreciate,” said Toll.
Toll say hotel occupancy for training camp is usually between 65 and 70%. Last week it was 44%. Hotels are usually 98% full on gameday weekends.
“The energy for sure is going to be down around here and it's not going to feel like a normal Packers season for a while,” said Samantha Scott, marketing manager for Anduzzi’s Sports Club.
Eating at Anduzzi's on Holmgren Way, some season ticket holders say all eyes are now on what the Packers will announce for regular season games.
“I like being in the stadium,” said Pilz. “It's just a great experience.”
The team says it will send out a survey soon, allowing ticket holders to opt in or out for the chance to go to games this year.
“We'll stay in instead of waiting until next year,” said James Kohlhagen of Sheboygan Falls, who is also a season ticket holder. “It's been a long time already for no sports, so we're itching.”
The team has already said if fans are allowed in, it will be a reduced capacity, and everyone will have to wear masks.
