When Milwaukee Brewers fell 4-3 to the Chicago Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Division Series (NLDS), the disappointment was palpable—but the party in Milwaukee stayed electric.

On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, thousands of fans gathered at Davidson Park, a green oasis on the Harley‑Davidson campus at 400 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The park transformed into a pop‑up stadium, complete with a giant screen broadcasting the live action from Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Food trucks, racing sausages, a live DJ, and a photo station that snapped instant pictures with a digital backdrop of American Family Field kept the energy humming even as the final out was recorded.

Background to the NLDS and Brewers' Playoff Run

The 2025 postseason marked a historic high for the Milwaukee Brewers. Finishing the regular season with the best record in professional baseball—102 wins and a .640 winning percentage—they entered the playoffs as clear favorites. Their NLDS opponent, the Chicago Cubs, earned a wild‑card berth and rode a surge of late‑season momentum.

The series, part of the larger National League Division Series Wrigley Field, follows a best‑of‑five format. After splitting the first two games, the Brewers took a 2‑1 lead heading into Game 3, making the outcome at Davidson Park a pivotal moment for the franchise and its fans.

Davidson Park Watch Party: Atmosphere and Activities

Organizers, in partnership with the Brewers' community outreach team and local sponsors like Potawatomi Casino, turned the park into a carnival of baseball culture. A 30‑foot LED screen streamed the game in high definition, while a photo booth used augmented reality to place fans against the backdrop of American Family Field, the Brewers' home stadium.

Food trucks offered everything from classic bratwurst to vegan tacos, echoing Milwaukee’s diverse culinary scene. One standout attraction was the “racing sausage” booth, where vendors let fans race bratwursts down a short track, a tongue‑in‑cheek nod to the city’s love of racing heritage. The live DJ spun a mix of classic rock—paying homage to the Harley‑Davidson location—and current hits, keeping the crowd’s pulse steady during pitching changes.

Fan Voices from the Party

Among the sea of Brewers jerseys, a few individuals stood out for their stories.

Anthony Megal, a local who became something of a legend earlier in the season when he caught a Cubs home run and tossed it back, shared his disbelief: “I brought my glove so I was like, ‘wait a second, that ball is coming right to me.’ First home run I’ve ever caught, and uh, I think I’m better off without the ball.”

Noah Capelle, a die‑hard fan from Oak Creek, kept the optimism alive: “We’re staying in it. I like it. You can’t count the Brewers out. We stay alive. We keep getting hits. It’s awesome.”

Teacher Angela Harris, who has watched the Brewers miss the playoffs for decades, offered a generational perspective: “It’s been so long, especially for me as an old Milwaukeean, to see the Brewers actually go this far. We get to the playoffs, and they always end up disappointing us. And this is just so exciting right now.” She added that a World Series win would bring her students together in a way few events could.

When asked about the team’s morale, C.J. Latronica highlighted the intangible: “We’ve got the power of friendship on our team. We just got to get after it.”

Even residents who came with their pets got in on the fun. Naomi, a Milwaukee native, showed off her dog Benny wearing a tiny Brewers t‑shirt, declaring, “We got our dog his little Brewer t‑shirt, so we’re ready to roll.”

Implications for the Series and Milwaukee Community

The 4‑3 loss in Game 3 kept the series at 2‑1, meaning the Brewers still need just one more win to clinch the NLDS. Game 4 is slated for Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 8:08 PM Central Time at Wrigley Field. Should the series extend, a decisive Game 5 would return to American Family Field on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with first pitch at 3:38 PM.

For Milwaukee, the watch party served a deeper purpose than just watching a baseball game. It reinforced the city’s identity as a tight‑knit community that rallies around its sports teams. Local businesses reported a surge in sales, and the event’s sponsor, Potawatomi Casino | Hotel, leveraged the gathering to showcase its commitment to hometown entertainment.

Media outlets—including FOX6 News and Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Today”—highlighted the communal vibe, noting that the free, no‑ticket event gave fans who couldn’t afford travel a chance to partake in postseason excitement.

What’s Next for the Brewers

Beyond the next game, the Brewers’ front office announced an additional watch party for Game 4 at J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard inside American Family Field. The organization hopes to keep the momentum alive, whether the series ends in Milwaukee or heads back to Chicago.

Analysts point out that the Brewers’ balanced roster—headlined by a deep bullpen and a power‑hitting lineup—positions them well for the subsequent NLCS, should they advance. However, the Cubs have shown resilience, making the upcoming games a true test of depth and composure.

Historical Context of Brewers’ Postseason

Milwaukee’s baseball story is one of long‑awaited breakthroughs. The Brewers’ last World Series appearance came in 1982, when the team, then the Milwaukee Brewers, lost to the St. Louis Cardinals. Since moving to the National League in 1998, the club has made sporadic playoff runs but never advanced past the NLDS—until now. This fleeting taste of a potential championship run explains why fans like Angela Harris feel a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” surge of pride.

In short, the Davidson Park watch party didn’t just offer a place to watch a game; it turned a setback into a celebration of hope, community, and the stubborn optimism that defines Brewers fans.