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Timeline of the Green Bay Packers

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The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers have competed in the National Football League (NFL) since 1921, two years after their original founding in 1919 by Curly Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun.[1] From an organizational perspective, the history of the Packers has centered on their founding as a small-town team in the early NFL, their unique ownership structure as a publicly owned, non-profit corporation, the continued expansion of Lambeau Field (their home field), and the team's success on the field.[2] The Packers have survived as the NFL's last small-town team largely due in part to continued support of the local community.[3] Unlike other NFL teams, the Packers are owned by Green Bay Packers, Inc.; funding raised during stock sales in the corporation, dating back to 1923, have helped the team survive during financial troubles, pay off debt, and expand their football facilities.[4] This includes increasing the capacity of Lambeau Field from about 30,000 to over 80,000 fans, developing new practice and player facilities, and the creation of the Titletown District, a mixed-use development that provides additional sources of local funding for the team.[5][2] Having played over 100 years in the NFL, the Packers have won 13 NFL championships, including 4 Super Bowls, developed notable rivalries—especially with teams in the NFC North—and have expanded their support to new international markets.[2] The following timeline highlights key moments in the history of the Packers, with a focus on organizational matters, such as the hiring of key staff, stock sales, the development and expansion of facilities, the establishment of rivalries, the winning of championships, and other notable occasions.

Photo of the exterior of Lambeau Field with a statue in the foreground.
Lambeau Field, shown here in 2017, has been the Packers' home since 1958, making it one of the oldest stadiums in the National Football League.

1910s

1919

Green Bay Packers players standing in uniform in front of a building with snow on the ground
The 1919 Green Bay Packers team posing in front of the Indian Packing Company building.

1920s

Portrait of Turnbull
Andrew B. Turnbull, a member of The Hungry Five, was elected as the first president of the Green Bay Packers in September 1923.
Postcard showing an aerial view of City Stadium
City Stadium, shown here in 1948, hosted its first Packers' game in September 1925.

1921

  • January 10: The Indian Packing Company merged with the Acme Packing Company; the new company maintained the Acme Packing Company name.[9]
  • August 27: The "Acme Packers" were admitted to the American Professional Football Association (APFA) under the ownership of J. Emmett Clair, who worked for Acme Packing Company.[2]
  • October 23: The Packers played their first APFA game, a 7–6 victory against the Minneapolis Marines.[10]
  • November 27: The Decatur Staleys (later renamed to the Chicago Bears) beat the Packers 20–0, initiating one of the NFL's oldest rivalries.[11][2]

1922

  • January 28: After acknowledging using college football players under false names during a league meeting, the Packers were removed from the APFA.[2]
  • June 14: The APFA changed its name to the National Football League (NFL) and readmitted the Packers into the league with Curly Lambeau as the owner of the "Green Bay Football Club".[2]
  • November 30: A non-league game against the Duluth Eskimos to raise funds for the Packers was scheduled for Thanksgiving, however a 12-hour rainstorm threatened to cancel the game, which would have been financially disastrous for the Packers. Andrew B. Turnbull, the owner of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, committed to rallying local business owners for financial support, but only if the Packers did not cancel the game. With this commitment, the game was played.[12]
  • December 7: A meeting, which included two members of The Hungry Five and was chaired by John Kittell, was held to begin the process of initiating a stock sale in a newly reorganized publicly-owned corporation that would own the Packers.[13][2]

1923

  • August 23: Articles of incorporation for the "Green Bay Football Corporation", which had been signed nine days earlier, were filed with the State of Wisconsin; sale of stock in the new non-profit corporation began and continued for much of the rest of the year, ultimately raising over $5,000 ($94,482 in 2025).[13][4]
  • September 17: Andrew B. Turnbull was elected the team's first president.[13]
  • September 23: With the demolition of Hagemeister Park, the Packers moved to Bellevue Park, which hosted its first Packers game, a 10–0 victory over the Hibbing Miners.[14][15]
  • October 28: The Dolly Gray impostor played one game for the Packers and then disappeared.[16]

1925

1926

  • December 25: The Hagemeister Park Armory, which the Packers used for the storage of equipment, uniforms, and historic footballs, burned down.[17]

1928

1929

1930s

Packers and Lions players playing against each other on a field.
The Lions–Packers rivalry started with the teams' playing their first game in November 1930.
A program for the 1938 NFL Championship Game.
The Packers lost to the New York Giants in the 1938 NFL Championship Game (the game's program shown here), played in December of that year.

1930

1931

  • September 20: A fan fell from temporary bleachers during a game at City Stadium and injured his back.[2]
  • December 6: Despite losing their last game of the season, the Packers record of 12–2 was good enough to secure the NFL championship, making them the first team in NFL history to win the championship three straight years.[26][27]

1933

1934

  • September 30: The Packers played their first game at Wisconsin State Fair Park in Milwaukee.[31]
  • December 14: The Packers announced their second stock sale with the goal of raising enough money to pay off the team's debts and bring the team out of receivership.[4]

1935

  • January 26: Articles of incorporation for the newly formed Green Bay Packers, Inc. were sent to the State of Wisconsin.[2]
  • January 29: At a Packers' board of directors meetings, the team announced that the stock drive goal had been met and officers in the new corporation were elected; the stock drive ended up raising about $15,000 ($352,245 in 2025).[4]
  • February 19: Don Hutson signed two contracts, one for the Packers and one for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Both contracts arrived at the NFL office at the same time; NFL president Joseph Carr determined Hutson would go to the Packers, since that contract had an earlier date of signing.[32]

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940s

Black and white photo of Johnson in military uniform
Howard Johnson, who played for the Packers for two seasons, was killed in action during World War II in February 1945.

1940

  • January 14: As champions of the previous season, the Packers played against an all-star team in the 1940 NFL All-Star Game, winning 16–7.[37]
  • November 17: The Packers became the first NFL team to use an airplane to travel to and from an away game, doing so to play the Giants in New York City.[38]

1941

1943

1944

1945

1946

  • May 24: The Packers purchased Rockwood Lodge, converting it into the first self-contained training facility in pro football history.[46]

1947

1949

  • November 24: An intra-squad exhibition game was played on Thanksgiving that raised over $35,000 ($473,601 in 2025) and helped the Packers pay their expenses for the rest of the season.[2]

1950s

Trading card with a portrait of Paul Hornung
Paul Hornung was taken by the Packers with the first overall pick of the 1957 NFL draft in November 1956.
Portrait of Verne Lewellen
Verne Lewellen became the Packers' first standalone general manager in December 1953.

1950

  • January 24: Rockwood Lodge burned down under suspicious circumstances and was a total loss, although the Packers ultimately recouped about $75,000 ($1 million in 2025) in insurance money.[46][48]
  • February 1: After the loss of Rockwood Lodge and continual struggles with the Packers' board of directors over control of the team, Curly Lambeau resigned from the Packers.[46]
  • February 6: Gene Ronzani was hired as the Packers' head coach.[2]
  • April 12: The Packers initiated a third stock drive to help raise funds to prevent insolvency, ultimately raising over $100,000 ($1.34 million in 2025).[2]
  • November 26: The Packers played their first game against the San Francisco 49ers, beginning the two teams' rivalry.[49][50]

1951

1952

  • October 5: The Packers played their first game at Marquette Stadium in Milwaukee; they played two more home games there that season while awaiting the completion of Milwaukee County Stadium.[53][54]
  • November 23: Packers fans organized "Tony Canadeo Day" to honor the recently retired back; although Canadeo's number was considered retired by the Packers from 1952 onwards and a ceremony had occurred during the game, it was not until a few years later that his number retirement was formally acknowledged by the team.[52]

1953

1954

1956

1957

  • September 27: The Packers opened New City Stadium with a 21–17 victory over the Bears; Vice President Richard Nixon dedicated the stadium during a ceremony at halftime.[58]

1958

1959

1960s

The front page of the 1960 NFL Championship Game program.
A program from the 1960 NFL Championship Game, which the Packers lost in December of that year.
The facade of Lambeau Field.
City Stadium (shown here in 2017) was renamed to Lambeau Field in August 1965, just a few months after Curly Lambeau died.
The front page of the 1965 NFL Championship Game program.
A program from the 1965 NFL Championship Game, which the Packers won in January 1966.

1960

  • September 1: During a practice, a strong storm blew over a heavy steel coaching tower, which collapsed directly on top of Ray Nitschke; a steel bolt punctured Nitschke's helmet, but he otherwise was unharmed.[66]
  • September 15: City Stadium hosted its first night game, a high school football match-up between three local teams in a unique "three-cornered football" format, after lighting was installed during the offseason. Although bright enough to host high school games and preseason games, the lighting did not meet the brightness standards for NFL regular season games.[5][67]
  • November 13: The Packers played their first game against the Dallas Cowboys, beginning the two teams' rivalry.[68][69]
  • December 26: The Packers lost the 1960 NFL Championship Game 17–13 to the Philadelphia Eagles.[25][33]

1961

1962

1963

  • September 7: The Pro Football Hall of Fame opened, with four Packers being inducted in the first class.[74]
  • September 15: The Packers played their first game of the regular season after completing an expansion of City Stadium that increased capacity to 42,327 seats; the expansion included a new two-story administration building, a new scoreboard, and a parking lot.[5][75]

1964

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

  • February 5: The Packers' board of directors released Vince Lombardi from his contract and accepted his resignation.[84]
  • March 5: Head coach Phil Bengston was given the additional job as the team's general manager.[85]
  • September 21: The Packers played their first regular season game at Lambeau Field after the stadium's wooden bench-style bleachers were replaced with aluminum bleachers.[5][86]

1970s

Photo of the inside of Lambeau Field showing the packers retired numbers
The Packers' retired numbers, including Bart Starr's number 15 that was retired in November 1973, displayed inside Lambeau Field.
Ford holding a football smiling standing next to Starr and another person
President Gerald Ford with Bart Starr at the opening of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in April 1976.

1970

1971

1973

1974

1975

  • September 20: The Packers built a new visitors' locker room and installed new main and auxiliary scoreboards at Lambeau Field, while also installing artificial turf at the Oneida Street practice field.[5][97]

1976

1977

1979

  • October 1: Lambeau Field hosted its first Monday Night Football game—which was also the team's 1,000th game in its history—after having replaced the stadium's old incandescent lighting with a system producing six times more light.[5][103]

1980s

Nitschke's jersey being displayed.
Ray Nitschke's jersey number 66, shown here at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was retired by the Packers in December 1983

1980

1982

1983

1985

  • September 15: The Packers played their first regular season game at Lambeau Field after discontinuing the stadium's half-price children's-section seating, with those seats converted to adult seating. The Packers also added 72 private suites around the upper rim of Lambeau Field, increasing total capacity to 56,926.[5][106][107]
  • December 1: The Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers played a game during a snowstorm that dropped 14 inches of snow during the day and caused 36,000 fans to be no-shows.[108]

1986

1987

1988

1989

  • February 8: The Packers announced that the team would not bring back a professional cheerleading squad for the 1989 NFL season.[110]
  • April 23: With the second pick of the 1989 NFL draft, the Packers selected offensive lineman Tony Mandarich, a pick that has been widely regarded as one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history; future Hall of Famers Barry Sanders, Derrick Thomas, and Deion Sanders were selected with the next three picks, while Mandarich only played three seasons with the Packers.[111]
  • June 5: Bob Harlan was elected as the team's ninth president.[2]
  • September 10: The Packers played their first regular season game at Lambeau Field after constructing a tunnel behind the south goal post to provide direct access to the visitors' locker room, relocating some restrooms, and expanding the stadium's press room.[5][112][113]
  • November 5: The Packers beat the Bears in the Instant Replay Game after an illegal forward pass penalty was controversially overturned using instant replay. Instant replay in the NFL was discontinued one season later, with this game being cited as a main reason, while the rule for illegal forward pass was also updated to make it easier to enforce.[114]

1990s

A Packers player on top of a wall surrounded by fans.
Robert Tonyan performing the Lambeau Leap, a touchdown celebration first performed by LeRoy Butler in December 1993.
A photo of the outside of the Don Hutson Center.
The Don Hutson Center, named after Packers' great Don Hutson, opened in July 1994.
A close up photo of a share of stock in the Packers
Shares of stock in the Packers, shown here, became available to purchase in November 1997, with funds going toward infrastructure improvements at Lambeau Field.

1990

1991

1992

1993

  • September 12: The Packers played their first regular season game at Lambeau Field after a 20,500-square-foot administration-building expansion added facilities including an enlarged Pro Shop, offices, a gymnasium, and media auditorium, while a large Sony Jumbotron was also installed; smoking was banned inside the stadium.[5][118][119]
  • April 6: After a lawsuit against the NFL, Reggie White signed with the Packers, beginning a new era of player-driven free agency.[2][120]
  • December 26: After returning a fumble for a touchdown during a game against the Oakland Raiders, Packers safety LeRoy Butler leapt into the stands of Lambeau Field to celebrate, thus beginning the Lambeau Leap celebration.[121]

1994

  • July 18: The Don Hutson Center, a indoor practice and training facility, opened across the street from Lambeau Field.[2]
  • October 13: President Bob Harlan announced that the Packers would stop playing home games in Milwaukee and that season tickets for future home games at Lambeau Field would be split, with Milwaukee season ticket holders given three homes game (two regular season and one preseason), while Lambeau Field season ticket holders would be given the remaining games.[122]
  • December 18: The Packers played their last game in Milwaukee County Stadium, ending the 62-year practice of playing some home games in Milwaukee each season.[123]

1995

  • August 13: The Packers played a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, their first in the newly expanded Lambeau Field, which enclosed the stadium by adding 90 new luxury boxes with 1,347 more seats, added an auxiliary press box, and expanded administrative facilities; total seating capacity increased to 60,890.[5][124]

1997

1998

  • January 25: The Denver Broncos beat the Packers 31–24 in Super Bowl XXXII.[33]
  • March 16: The Packers' stock sale ended, raising over $24 million ($47.4 million in 2025) from over 100,000 new shareholders.[2]

2000s

A brick wall and metal gate with a sign above that says City Stadium.
As part of a redevelopment project, City Stadium was rededicated in October 2002 after being called "East Stadium" since 1962.
A Packers fan wearing a Cheesehead hat and other Packers gear.
The Packers acquired Formation, Inc. the company that had produced the Cheesehead hat (shown here) since 1987, in July 2003.
An ice rink in the middle of Lambeau Field.
A temporary ice rink was built at Lambeau Field to host the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic in February 2006.

2000

2001

2002

  • July 15: Packers staff and players moved into Lambeau Field's new team operations building, which included a new locker room, offices, training and therapy areas, and player support spaces.[2][5]
  • August 8: The Packers Pro Shop held its grand opening in the new Lambeau Field Atrium.[127][5]
  • August 26: The Packers played their first preseason game at Lambeau Field after the completion of a project adding over 4,000 seats, new private boxes, press box facilities, and concourse upgrades.[2][5]
  • October 11: City Stadium, which had been renamed to East Stadium in 1962, was rededicated as City Stadium as part of a larger redevelopment of the facility.[128]

2003

  • January 4: The Packers lost their first home playoff game, a 27–7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, after having gone 13–0—including 11–0 at Lambeau Field—since the NFL playoffs began in 1932.[129]
  • July 24: The Packers acquired Foamation, Inc., the company that had produced the Cheesehead hat since 1987.[130]
  • August 27: The courtyard at the northeast corner of Lambeau Field was dedicated as Robert E. Harlan Plaza in honor of Packers' president Bob Harlan; the plaza included new statues of Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi were unveiled during the dedication ceremony.[131]
  • September 4: The Packers opened the new Lambeau Field Atrium and dedicated the new Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.[132]
  • September 7: The Packers rededicated Lambeau Field after the completion of a multi-year expansion project; total seating capacity in the stadium increased to 72,515, a new club level was constructed, new upper concourses were built, and other support facilities, such as scoreboards, restrooms, and concessions, were added or enhanced.[133][2][5]

2004

  • February 19: The Packers named Lee Remmel, a Wisconsin sportswriter, as team historian.[2]

2005

2006

2007

  • May 26: Four days before he was to succeed Bob Harlan as CEO, John Jones was placed on administrative leave.[137]
  • May 30: With John Jones on administrative leave, the Packers' board of directors voted to keep Harlan as the team's principal executive officer even though he had passed the mandatory retirement age of 70.[2]
  • July 20: John Jones submitted his resignation to the Packers' executive committee and a new search committee for the team's next president was formed.[138][139]
  • July 31: The Packers hosted a practice during training camp at City Stadium for the first time since the 1950s.[2]

2008

2009

2010s

Obama and Woodson laughing with Aaron Rodgers in the background.
Charles Woodson gifting President Barack Obama a stock certificate for the Green Bay Packers during an August 2011 celebration at the White House in honor of the Packers winning Super Bowl XLV.
A plaza with a wall, plagues, and statues.
The Packers Heritage Trail plaza was the centerpiece of the urban trail built in June 2012 to honor the history of the Green Bay Packers.
A view of a park with playground equipment and a sports field.
The Titletown District park opened to the public in September 2017.
Photo of the front of the Don Hutson Center
The Don Hutson Center, shown here in 2024, was redeveloped in May 2019.

2011

2012

  • March 1: The Packers' stock drive ended, with over $64 million ($89.8 million in 2025) raised from the purchase of over 268,000 shares.[2]
  • June 5: The first historic marker for the Packers Heritage Trail, a self-guided walking and biking heritage trail that traverses locations relating to the history of the Green Bay Packers, was installed.[143]
  • July 9: A rededication ceremony was held for Robert E. Harlan Plaza, which was moved and redeveloped, was held.[144]
  • September 24: The Seattle Seahawks beat the Packers in the Fail Mary game; a controversial decision by replacement referees at the end of the game helped to end the 2012 NFL referee lockout.[145]

2013

  • July 18: A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Lambeau Field to inaugurate the completion of a project adding 7,000 new seats, a new entrance called the ShopKo gate, new video boards, bathrooms, and concession stands; total capacity of Lambeau Field was expanded to 81,041.[146][5]
  • December 7: Packers' players moved into their new team area, which included a new cafeteria, weight room, conditioning, rehab and instruction center (CRIC), meeting space, and resource center, which was built in a lower level under the Oneida Nation Gate.[147]

2014

  • February 4: The Packers named Cliff Christl, a former Wisconsin sportswriter, as team historian.[2]
  • July 17: The new Packers Pro Shop, located in a larger space on the ground floor of the Lambeau Field Atrium, was opened.[148]
  • November 13: A new entrance to Lambeau Field, called the American Family Insurance Gate, was opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[149]

2015

2017

2018

2019

  • January 8: Matt LaFleur was hired as the Packers' head coach.[2]
  • May 10: The Don Hutson Center was redeveloped, converting two 70-yard intersecting fields into one, 100-yard field with new artificial turf and additional space for individual workouts.[157]
  • August 11: After over a year of community activities, events, and festivities, the Packers formally celebrated the 100 years since the team was established.[2]

2020s

An honor guard standing on a football field.
The honor guard prior to the Packers first international game, a loss to the New York Giants in London in October 2022.
A stadium with large flags on the field and people.
Pre-game festivities before the Packers and Eagles game in São Paulo, Brazil, September 2024, the first ever game in played in South America.

2020

2021

  • August 10: Titletown Park, part of the second phase of the Titletown District, was opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony.[160]
  • September 30: Titletown Flats, an apartment building that is part of the Titletown District, was opened.[161]
  • November 16: The Packers initiated the team's sixth stock sale with the goal of raising money to fund capital improvements at Lambeau Field, including new video boards and concourse upgrades.[162]
  • December 8: Packers' team historian Cliff Christl published The Greatest Story in Sports: Green Bay Packers 1919-2019, a definitive account of the first 100 years of Packers' history.[2]

2022

2023

  • July 24: During the team's 2023 shareholder meeting, the Packers unveiled recently completed Lambeau Field improvements, including new videoboards and new LED screens in the stadium's concourse, as well expanded football facilities like a larger conditioning, rehabilitation, and instructional center (CRIC), more offices for coaches, meeting rooms, a new draft room, and underground parking.[5][165]

2024

2025

See also

References

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