Omaha Ready for Rebel Fans' Return
Fans left lasting impression during the 2022 championship run
OXFORD, Miss. – Three years after Ole Miss fans painted Omaha red and blue, the city is ready for a fresh coat.
The University of Mississippi baseball team returns to the men's College World Series for the first time since 2022, when the Rebels capped a storybook postseason run with the program's first national championship.
The tournament has long been one of Omaha's signature events and a major economic driver, with the 2025 event generating a record $147.6 million economic impact for the Omaha metro area.
Heath Mello, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, saw the 2022 run up close. Rebel fans made themselves hard to miss during those two weeks.
Heath Mello (right), president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber, attends the 2022 College World Series with his son, John. On John's first visit to the annual event, he got to watch the Ole Miss Rebels win their first baseball national championship. Submitted photo
"Ole Miss fans brought tremendous energy to Omaha throughout the 2022 College World Series," he said. "You could see their presence everywhere, from the stadium and downtown restaurants to hotels and gathering places across the city.
"They traveled in remarkable numbers, embraced the entire College World Series experience, and helped create an atmosphere that people in Omaha still remember."
For Omaha, that kind of support matters. The men's College World Series brings hundreds of thousands of fans to the city each year. It is those fans and their passion for their teams and the sport who help shape the feel of the tournament far beyond the stadium.
And for those two weeks, visiting fans become part of Omaha's community and part of the rich history of the College World Series, Mello said.
"When a fan base travels the way Ole Miss did, it elevates the entire event," Mello said. "Those visitors create an incredible atmosphere, support local businesses, fill our hotels and restaurants, and bring a sense of excitement to the entire community.
"Just as importantly, they become part of the tradition that makes the College World Series so special. Omaha takes great pride in welcoming fans from across the country, and Ole Miss supporters made a lasting impression in 2022."
Rebel fans from all over the county are cheering on the Ole Miss baseball team in the 2026 College World Series. Photo by Madeline Crowe/University Marketing and Communications
The 2022 College World Series holds a special place in Mello's heart. He attended the second game of the finals with his son, John, who was experiencing the event for the first time. He can still remember the energy of the stadium as the Rebels marched on to a national championship.
"The College World Series is already one of the most special traditions in Omaha, but being there together for a championship game made it even more meaningful," Mello said. "Watching Ole Miss win its first national baseball championship and seeing the emotion from the players, coaches and fans was something we will always remember."
As Rebel fans return to Omaha, the city is ready to welcome them back.
"We are excited to have Rebel fans returning to our city, and we hope they feel the same hospitality and excitement they experienced in 2022," Mello said. "Omaha has a deep appreciation for college baseball and for the fans who make the journey here.
"We look forward to seeing the energy, passion and enthusiasm Ole Miss supporters will once again bring to the College World Series."
Top: Ole Miss fans of all ages are pouring into Omaha to watch the Rebels in their first College World Series since 2022, when they won the national championship. Businesses and organizations across Omaha are working to provide hospitality and entertainment for all the visiting fans. Photo by Madeline Crowe/University Marketing and Communications