Empower Field at Mile High
Denver, CO · Home of the Denver Broncos and Denver Summit FC
Upcoming games
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Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Empower Field at Mile High fills early.
Getting there
Empower Field at Mile High sits just west of downtown Denver, immediately across I-25 from Ball Arena. RTD light rail's Sports Authority Field at Mile High / Empower Field station drops fans directly outside the stadium. Driving uses I-25 exits 210B or 210C with stadium parking lots ringing the venue and additional garages across the highway. Lots open hours before kickoff for tailgating. Rideshare zones are signed around the perimeter. Confirm bag and entry rules on the team's official site before going.
The neighborhood
Empower Field sits in the Sun Valley neighborhood west of downtown Denver, in a primarily sports-and-industrial area rather than a walkable bar district. Ball Arena (Nuggets and Avalanche) and Elitch Gardens amusement park are immediately east across I-25. Auraria higher-education campus extends north and east. LoDo (Lower Downtown) and Union Station sit a 15-minute walk or short light-rail ride northeast with Denver's densest restaurant and bar scene. The Highlands neighborhood (a short ride north) and the Federal Boulevard corridor offer additional dining options. Most Broncos game-day eating happens either in the lots (tailgating is central) or in LoDo before fans walk or train over.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Tailgating in the stadium lots is the dominant Broncos pre-game culture. Closest sit-down options include Brooklyn's at the Pepsi Center (across the highway near Ball Arena) and Viewhouse Ballpark (a short walk into LoDo). For real Denver pre-game, walk or train into LoDo for Wynkoop Brewing Company (Colorado's oldest brewpub), Falling Rock Tap House (massive craft-beer list), and Jovanina's Broken Italian (LoDo Italian). Sam's No. 3 is the canonical pre-game diner stop. Tailgating rules and openings vary year to year — confirm before packing.
First-timer tips
Plan to arrive 3+ hours before kickoff if you want to tailgate, or about 90 minutes before if you're going in directly — I-25 backs up before games. The RTD light rail from downtown is a strong alternative and drops you directly outside. Denver's altitude (5,280 feet) is a real factor for visiting players and a known competitive edge for the Broncos; fans flying in from sea level should hydrate and expect to feel the elevation. The seating bowl is one of the steeper rakes in the NFL with strong sightlines from the upper deck. Empower Field enforces the NFL clear-bag policy strictly. The Bucky the Bronco statue atop the south video board and the Ring of Fame circling the upper deck honoring franchise greats are the canonical first-time photos.
Best games to catch
AFC West matchups against the Chiefs, Raiders, and Chargers are the divisional draws — Broncos–Chiefs in particular is consistently the hardest home ticket given Patrick Mahomes-era Chiefs dominance, and Broncos–Raiders carries deep historical weight. Broncos–Cowboys, Broncos–Packers, and any visit from a recent Super Bowl champion typically peak demand. The annual Monday Night Football game at Empower Field has historically been one of the louder atmospheres in the league. The team publishes a promotional calendar and themed games on the official site that vary year to year, so check before locking in travel dates.
What to know
Empower Field at Mile High opened in 2001 as Invesco Field at Mile High, replacing the original Mile High Stadium (which stood next door from 1948 to 2002 and was demolished in 2002). The stadium has had four naming-rights configurations — Invesco (2001-2011), Sports Authority (2011-2017), simply Mile High (2017-2019), and Empower Field at Mile High (since 2019). The seating bowl is built on a steep rake with Bucky the Bronco — the white horse statue from the original stadium — perched atop the south end zone scoreboard. The Ring of Fame circling the upper deck honors Broncos greats including John Elway, Floyd Little, Terrell Davis, Champ Bailey, and others. The stadium has hosted multiple AFC Championship games and the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 playoff run. Denver's mile-high altitude is one of the most-cited home-field advantages in the NFL.
Frequently asked questions
What time do gates open at Empower Field at Mile High?
Gates typically open about 2 hours before kickoff for Broncos games; parking lots open earlier for tailgating, often 4–5 hours before. Check the team's official gameday guide for the specific game's gate time.
How do I get to Empower Field on RTD?
RTD light rail's Sports Authority Field at Mile High / Empower Field station drops fans directly outside the stadium. From downtown Denver or Union Station it's a short ride and bypasses I-25 traffic on game days.
Where can I park at Empower Field at Mile High?
Stadium parking lots ring the venue with multiple zones, and additional garages sit across I-25 near Ball Arena. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats showing up. Rates and lot availability change year to year — confirm before driving.
Is altitude really a factor at Empower Field?
Yes — Denver sits at 5,280 feet elevation (the 'Mile High' name is literal), and the altitude is widely considered one of the most meaningful home-field advantages in the NFL. Visiting players consistently report the impact during late drives, and fans flying in from sea level should expect to feel it.
What's the bag policy at Empower Field at Mile High?
Empower Field enforces the NFL's clear-bag policy strictly — only NFL-approved clear bags (12x6x12 or smaller) or small non-clear clutches (4.5x6.5) pass screening. Check the venue's official bag policy before packing.
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