MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The early bird gets the merch! Milwaukee Brewers fans were up before the sun Thursday morning, hoping to score a piece of World Series history at American Family Field.

Loud and proud, chairs in hand and blankets in tow, fans showed up in force outside the merchandise tent at the stadium's Third Base Plaza, hours before its scheduled 9 a.m. opening.

For KarleyMarcelina Vega, getting the first spot in line meant sacrificing a little sleep.

"I got like a couple hours of sleep, and I just, I was like, please let me get here. I just ran over here. Luckily, I was the first one. I know it's going to be a good day," Vega said.

But for many fans, the wait for this moment started long before Thursday morning.

Jack Wilson recalled growing up listening to Brewers games on the radio with his father, never imagining the memories would one day come full circle with a World Series championship.

"I just remember always listening to the radio when I was little with my dad when it was called Miller Park, and all the memories and moments finally came true," Wilson said. "I am just so happy to be here right now."

And with a lifetime of memories came a whole new shopping list.

"T-shirts, jerseys, pennants, baseball, hats, pins. That's about it," Brewers fan Dick Clarey said, rattling off his must-have merchandise.

As the wish lists grew, so did the line and the excitement.

"We have waited so long for this. I am just so happy! Yeah! World Series champions!" Brewers fan Jason Gasek cheered, celebrating alongside a friend from church.

After hours of anticipation, fans' patience finally paid off when the merchandise tent opened at 9 a.m.

Shoppers streamed inside, eager to get their hands on championship apparel and souvenirs.

For some, it was major league shopping, with fans covering all their bases by picking up merchandise for family members who couldn't make the trip.

"I was taking orders for my family. So, all together probably maybe like $600, myself probably around $200," one shopper said.

Another fan had a particularly memorable total at checkout: $666.84.

"This is bad luck, $666.84, but you know what? I got this, so I am protected," the fan joked, showing off purchases that included two pennants and four hats.

But beyond the shopping bags and souvenirs, the real payoff was priceless.

"I know I'm tearing up. It's just the excitement, you know? We have the most passionate team," the emotional fan said.

For Brewers fans, Thursday's shopping spree was about much more than adding another shirt or hat to their collection. It was an opportunity to celebrate a historic victory, share their excitement with fellow fans and bring home a little piece of a championship season they'll never forget.