LINCOLN, Neb. — As the Nebraska Huskers prepare for their March Madness tipoff, businesses in Lincoln’s historic Haymarket are bracing for a surge of fans and a significant boost to the local economy.
Restaurants and bars surrounding the Rail Yard are transforming into prime watch-party destinations for Thursday’s game. For these local staples, a tournament run represents more than just school pride it’s a vital influx of revenue.
At Gate 25 Bar and Restaurant, staff are already seeing the “March Madness effect.” Elijah Coleman, a representative for Gate 25, notes that the team’s current momentum is driving higher expectations than in previous years.
“In past years it’s been up and down,” Coleman said. “Especially with this year, us being ranked in the top 15, it’s brought in a lot of great business, so it should be pretty good.”
To keep up with the anticipated demand, Gate 25 plans to open its doors early on Thursday at 10 a.m. The venue will host a dedicated watch party featuring drink specials that are expected to keep the crowd lingering long after the final buzzer.
The excitement isn’t contained to just one bar. With spring weather on the horizon, the entire Rail Yard district is expected to become a sea of red. Hannah Fleming, an employee at Gate 25, says the business is overstaffing to handle a crowd that could reach well into the thousands.
“The nice weather is probably going to bring a lot of people in for the Rail Yard,” Fleming said. “We’re expecting like 1,000 to 1,500 people, so yeah, it should be a good day.”
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The Huskers are set to take on Troy this Thursday at 11:40 a.m. Business owners agree: a win on Thursday would set the stage for an even bigger weekend for the entire Haymarket district.
