'It's gonna be wild': Local pub hosts Ducks Big Ten championship game watch party

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — On Saturday, the Oregon Ducks and the Penn State Nittany Lions meet in the Big Ten championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The two teams are meeting from opposite coasts: Penn state just 500 miles east and Oregon more than 2,000 miles west. The game will be broadcast on Channel 6 Saturday night.

But in Portland, fans are ready for the ultimate watch party. Portland's Birdie Time Pub and Mini Golf is primed for a high-energy watch party when Oregon takes on Penn State for the Big Ten championship Saturday night. They host a watch party for all the Ducks football away games this season, in partnership with the UO Alumni Association.

"It's gonna be wild, it's gonna be a madhouse in here, we're excited for it," said Birdie Time Pub Manager Michael Harrington.

Harrington said he expects a lively and excited crowd during the game.

"You're gonna have to get here early because they're gonna fill up real quick," he said.

For UO alumni like Ariana Williams, watching the Ducks is a source of pride.

"The community is amazing, it's just so fun to be in Oregon and to be a Duck. Honestly, it's great," Williams said. "I'm just excited, I'm happy, I'm proud to be a Duck and to watch them."

Harrington credits the success of the community event to the passionate alumni who helped the pub rebuild after the financial struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Have all the alumni that you know are so passionate about the school they went to, it's hard not to get kinda sucked up into that and really feed off that energy," Harrington said,

With Oregon's perfect run meeting Penn State's unrelenting defense for championship glory, it's no wonder fans are excited.

If Oregon wins, they'll claim a Big Ten title and stay in the running for the national championship.