Meg Jones | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Milwaukee's downtown will fill with folks wearing MAGA hats and Giannis Antetokounmpo jerseys Jan. 14 as President Donald Trump's rally and the Bucks game on "free scarf night" start at the same time two blocks apart.

The two large events will give a glimpse of what to expect during this summer's Democratic National Convention.

Both the Bucks-Knicks game at Fiserv Forum and Trump's campaign rally at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panther Arena start at 7 p.m. Doors open for the Trump rally at 3 p.m. with general admission seating, which could mean lines forming outside the arena.

The Bucks are expecting a sellout with more than 17,000 fans. Though it's unknown how many people will be allowed inside to Trump's rally, the arena seats as many as 8,500 for sporting events, depending on how it is configured.

Add in protesters who plan to picket Trump's visit to Milwaukee and street closings for the president's security, and travel anywhere near downtown could get messy.

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"It certainly will be a busy night," said Sarah Maio, vice president of marketing and communication for the Wisconsin Center District. "We have multiple events going on downtown all the time. It's nothing we can't handle."

The Bucks will provide information via social media to fans about getting to the game and through security in time for tipoff, said Barry Baum, the team's chief communications officer.

Though the Bucks' opponent is the lowly New York Knicks, currently residing at the bottom of Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division, every ticket holder will get a cool knit scarf sporting the team's logo. The Bucks have sold out more than 50 consecutive games and the team expects the Jan. 14 game to be a sellout, too, Baum said.

Fiserv Forum will host the Democratic National Convention in July, a four-day event expected to attract more than 50,000 people.

Half an hour after the Bucks game and campaign rally start, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater opens "The Legend of Georgia McBride" in its 720-seat Powerhouse Theater. The first preview of the comedy about an Elvis impersonator who discovers drag performing starts at 7:30 p.m.

"We definitely plan to send a special email to those ticket buyers to allow for extra time for travel and parking," said the Rep's director of marketing, Cara McMullin.

No events are planned that night at Marcus Performing Arts Center, Turner Hall Ballroom or the Pabst or Riverside theaters, and the spring semester at Milwaukee Area Technical College starts the following week. Marquette University begins classes Jan. 13 but there are no Marquette or UWM sporting events scheduled in Milwaukee Jan. 14.

Because of security concerns for the president's rally, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation declined to discuss logistics or say which roads will be closed when and for how long. Motorists heading downtown for the rally or basketball game, or leaving downtown on their evening commutes, are advised to prepare for possible delays.

Parking near Fiserv Forum includes a lot at 1215 N. 5th St. with 1,250 spaces and a ramp with 750 spaces at 1030 N. 6th St. A small parking lot next to Turner Hall offers 40 spaces. Isaacs Parking at 330 W. Wells St. across from Major Goolsby's Sports Bar has almost 800 spaces.

"Every time we have a double event, which happens with the Admirals (hockey team) and Bucks, we have this occurrence," said an Isaacs Parking manager who declined to give her name. "This is not new to us. Whether it's the president or the Admirals or a rock concert and the Bucks sell out, this happens. Which is great."

Isaacs Parking attendants will be out on the streets at every entrance helping people park their cars before the Trump rally, and if there are any spots left, for Bucks fans. The lot at MacArthur Square a couple blocks from Panther Arena has 1,500 parking spaces.

Another option is public transportation. Bus routes 15, 19, 33 and 57 plus the Green Line drop people off within walking distance of Fiserv Forum and Panther Arena. Milwaukee County Transit System officials caution bus passengers to be aware of the possibility of detours and delays from the president's visit.

"As we do for any major event that involves street closures, MCTS is working internally to plan for potential detours along our bus routes," said Matt Sliker, integrated marketing manager. "Information for riders will be announced as soon as it is available, typically the day of the event."

Free tickets to the Trump campaign rally — limit of two per person — are available by applying online at donaldjtrump.com

The president's campaign rally in Milwaukee coincides with a prime-time televised debate among top Democratic presidential candidates in Des Moines, Iowa.