Bucks hope to increase outdoor viewership in Deer District during Eastern Conference Finals

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Some Bucks fans made it to the gift shop for swag early, to avoid expected crowds Tuesday, June 22.

"I'm sure it's probably going to get packed later on today and tomorrow," fan Karla Brown said. "I want to be here so I can have my stuff."

The Bucks estimate 15,000 fans watched from the outdoor plaza during Game 7 against the Nets. They had to turn some fans away.

They hope to accommodate potentially more than 20,000 fans outside, with an additional viewing monitor, during the Eastern Conference finals. Game 1 begins Wednesday, June 23 at 7:30.

"We are hoping to add a second screen," Bucks Chief Marketing Officer Dustin Godsey said. "We're hoping that we're able to expand the footprint a little bit beyond the plaza, so we have more space for additional fans to come down."

There will be even more space across the plaza at the Mecca, which seats 700.

The beer garden outside the Mecca will have its own role in reconfiguring the viewing area.

"We've actually removed all those picnic tables, so now we'll be able to fit more people," Bucks Vice President of Hospitality Justin Green said. "So now you'll be able to come in, stand, it will feel a little more like it does on the plaza."

There are still a few hundred tickets available to watch inside Fiserv Forum. The Bucks expect those to be released in small batches until Game 1. They recommend buying through Ticketmaster.

"One thing we do ask is when fans come down, make sure you have that mask on still when you come in the building," Godsey said. "We still are observing mask rules with a crowd this size."