What is the seating capacity of Dick's Sporting Goods Park?

Dick's Sporting Goods Park seats 18,061 for MLS matches. For special events, temporary seating can expand capacity to 19,734. The stadium opened in 2007 at a cost of $71 million (stadium only) and was designed by Populous.

Where is Dick's Sporting Goods Park located?

The stadium is at 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, Colorado 80022, about 11 miles northeast of downtown Denver. It sits at the southwest corner of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Is parking free at Dick's Sporting Goods Park?

Yes, parking is free for all Colorado Rapids home matches. The complex has 15 paved lots with nearly 5,000 spaces plus overflow lots. Special events like concerts may charge for parking.

How does the altitude affect games at Dick's Sporting Goods Park?

At approximately 5,280 feet above sea level, it is the highest-elevation MLS stadium. The thin air reduces aerobic capacity by roughly 17%, often causing visiting players to fatigue faster in the second half. The altitude also causes the ball to travel farther and faster.

How do I get to Dick's Sporting Goods Park from Denver International Airport?

DEN is just 15 miles east, about a 20-minute drive via Peña Blvd to I-70 West to Quebec Street North. Rideshare costs approximately $25-$40 depending on demand.

Is there public transit to Dick's Sporting Goods Park?

RTD bus Route 62 provides extended service on game days. The nearest light rail station is Peoria Station (A Line/R Line), about 3 miles south. Most transit trips require connections and walking. Driving or rideshare is recommended.

Can you tailgate at Dick's Sporting Goods Park?

Yes, tailgating is permitted in all stadium parking lots. Fans should occupy only one parking space. Grills must be propane or charcoal and fully extinguished before entering the stadium. No glass containers allowed.

How far is Dick's Sporting Goods Park from downtown Denver?

The stadium is approximately 11 miles northeast of downtown Denver, about a 15-minute drive via I-70 East to Quebec Street North or I-25 North to I-270 East.

Dick's Sporting Goods Park, Commerce City CO - Capacity, History & Complete Visitor Guide

About Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park sits in Commerce City, Colorado — an 18,061-seat stadium where the Colorado Rapids play MLS soccer, where the 5,280-foot elevation gives the home team an advantage you can measure in the second half, and where 240 acres of playing fields make this the largest purpose-built soccer complex in the United States.

The $71 million stadium, designed by Populous, opened on April 7, 2007 — part of a larger $131 million complex that includes 24 full-size playing fields (21 natural Kentucky Bluegrass, 2 synthetic turf, plus the stadium pitch). Commerce City voters approved a $64 million bond sale in 2004 to fund the project, with Dick’s Sporting Goods signing a 20-year, $40 million naming rights deal in November 2006. The stadium is owned by Commerce City and operated by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.

The altitude is the story. At roughly one mile above sea level, the thin air reduces aerobic capacity by approximately 17% compared to sea level. Visiting teams not accustomed to the elevation — which is most of them — fatigue visibly in the final 30 minutes. The ball travels farther and faster through the thinner air, changing the geometry of every long pass and every shot from distance.

The complex has also become one of the most important youth and amateur soccer facilities in the country. State high school championships, national tournaments, adult recreation leagues, and USMNT and USWNT matches all share the same 240-acre property. The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge — 15,000 acres of bison herds, eagles, and restored prairie — sits immediately adjacent, making this one of the more unusual settings for professional sports anywhere in America.

Getting to Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Public Transit

Transit options to DSG Park are limited — the stadium’s Commerce City location is not well served by Denver’s rail network.

→ Via RTD Bus Route 62: Provides extended service on Colorado Rapids game days and select events. Check the RTD website for schedules.

→ Via Light Rail: The nearest station is Peoria Station (A Line/R Line), approximately 3 miles south. This requires a connecting bus or rideshare to reach the stadium.

Driving or rideshare is the most practical option for most fans. The free parking makes driving particularly appealing.

Driving + Parking

The stadium address is 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, CO 80022. I-70 and I-270 are the primary approaches, with four entrances to the complex.

→ From Downtown Denver (~11 mi): I-70 East to Quebec Street North, or I-25 North to I-270 East. About 15 minutes.

→ From Boulder (~30 mi): US-36 East to I-25 South to I-270 East. About 35 minutes.

→ From Colorado Springs (~77 mi): I-25 North to I-270 East to Quebec Street North. About 1 hour 15 minutes.

Parking is free for all Rapids matches. The complex has 15 paved lots with nearly 5,000 spaces (Lots A, AA, B, BB, C, D, E, F, G, H) plus overflow dirt lots. Tailgating is permitted in all lots — propane or charcoal grills allowed, must be extinguished before entering. No glass containers.

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft drop off and pick up on Victory Way near the west side of the stadium (Gate G area, Lot H). A $1.50 event surcharge may apply within 2 hours of scheduled events. From downtown Denver, expect $15–$25. From DEN airport, $25–$40.

From the Airport

→ Denver International Airport (DEN): Just 15 miles east, about 20 minutes by car via Peña Blvd to I-70 West to Quebec Street North. One of the closest airport-to-stadium drives in MLS. Rideshare runs $25–$40.

History of Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Dick’s Sporting Goods Park was built to give the Colorado Rapids a soccer-specific home after years of sharing Invesco Field (now Empower Field at Mile High) with the Broncos. The $71 million project broke ground on September 28, 2005, funded in part by a $64 million bond approved by Commerce City voters.

First Match (April 7, 2007): The Colorado Rapids defeated D.C. United 2-1 in the stadium’s inaugural game, christening the new venue before a capacity crowd.

2007 MLS All-Star Game (July 19, 2007): MLS All-Stars defeated Celtic FC 2-0, with Juan Pablo Angel named MVP. The showcase event came just three months after the stadium opened — a rapid debut on the national stage.

SnowClásico (March 22, 2013): The USMNT defeated Costa Rica 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier played in blizzard conditions. Clint Dempsey scored the lone goal on a snow-covered pitch. Costa Rica’s FIFA protest was denied, and the image of players in a whiteout became one of the most famous photographs in American soccer.

2015 MLS All-Star Game (July 29, 2015): MLS All-Stars defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, bringing the showcase event back to Commerce City for a second time in eight years.

2023 North Boundary Renovation: The north terrace was transformed into a field-level outdoor patio — the first of its kind in Denver sports — more than doubling the terrace’s capacity. Dale’s Bar was added at the south end, and the supporters’ section was expanded as part of an ongoing modernization effort.

From the altitude advantage to the SnowClásico to Phish’s 42-show residency, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park is where Colorado soccer lives — a 240-acre complex at a mile high where the thin air does the work and the bison next door at the wildlife refuge outnumber the visiting team’s fans.