About Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High stands on the western edge of downtown Denver — a 76,125-seat open-air stadium where the Denver Broncos have played since 2001 and where the Rocky Mountains form the most dramatic backdrop in the NFL. At 5,280 feet above sea level, this is the highest stadium in professional football — and visiting teams feel every foot of that altitude.
The Broncos have called this place home since moving from the original Mile High Stadium next door. On fall Sundays, the stadium fills with orange and blue while the signature “In-com-plete!” chant echoes off the undulating upper deck. The Broncos’ home-field advantage is legendary — the thin air affects stamina, ball flight, and kicking distance in ways that visiting teams cannot replicate in practice.
Designed by HNTB Architects with Fentress Bradburn Architects and built by Turner Construction, the $400.8 million stadium opened on August 11, 2001 — delivered two weeks ahead of schedule and $4.5 million under budget. The design features an undulating roofline that mirrors the peaks of the Rockies, with a skin of steel, glass, and aluminum. The FieldTurf playing surface sits in a horseshoe bowl that channels Colorado’s famous mountain winds through the open south end.
Beyond Broncos football, Empower Field has hosted the 2008 Democratic National Convention (where Barack Obama accepted the presidential nomination before 84,000 people), AFC Championship Games, international soccer, Monster Jam, and concerts from Taylor Swift to The Rolling Stones. With over $100 million in recent upgrades to videoboards, suites, and amenities, the stadium continues to evolve alongside Denver’s booming sports culture.
Getting to Empower Field at Mile High
Public Transit
Empower Field is one of the best transit-connected NFL stadiums in the country, with a dedicated light rail station steps from the gates.
→ Via RTD Light Rail (E or W Line): Take the E or W Line to Empower Field at Mile High Station — a 4-minute ride from Union Station. Trains run every 15 minutes on game days with extended service. Fare: $3 local.
→ Via RTD Bus: Routes 30 and 31 stop on Federal Boulevard just west of the stadium. Route 16 serves Colfax Avenue to the north. The Decatur/Federal station also provides W Line access.
RTD adds BroncosRide express service before and after every home game with extra trains and buses. The light rail is the easiest option — park at any Park-n-Ride lot along the E or W Line and ride directly to the stadium.
Driving + Parking
The stadium address is 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204. I-25 is the primary approach from all directions.
→ From Colorado Springs (~70 mi): I-25 North to Colfax Avenue exit. About 1 hour 10 minutes.
→ From Boulder (~30 mi): US-36 East to I-25 South to the stadium. About 40 minutes.
→ From Fort Collins (~65 mi): I-25 South directly to Denver. About 1 hour.
The stadium has 6,500 on-site parking spaces across 11 lots, but most are reserved for season ticket holders. Public lots cost $40–$60 on game days. Off-site lots and garages in the Sun Valley and Auraria neighborhoods run $12–$25. Tailgating is permitted in stadium lots. Pre-purchase through SpotHero.
Rideshare
Uber and Lyft have a designated drop-off zone at the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle. Post-game pickup is at 5th and Walnut Street. From downtown Denver, expect $10–$15. Surge pricing after games is significant — walk toward Auraria or the Platte River and wait 15–20 minutes for rates to settle.
From the Airport
→ Denver International (DEN): 23 miles northeast of the stadium, about 30–40 minutes by car. Major hub for United Airlines and Frontier Airlines. Rideshare runs $35–$50. The RTD A Line train connects DEN to Union Station in 37 minutes ($10.50), then transfer to the E or W Line for a 4-minute ride to the stadium.
History of Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High was built to replace the original Mile High Stadium, which had served the Broncos since 1960. The $400.8 million project was designed by HNTB Architects with Fentress Bradburn Architects and funded through a 0.1% sales tax approved by Denver metro voters in 1998. Groundbreaking was in 1999, and the stadium was delivered two weeks early and under budget.
Grand Opening (August 11, 2001): The Eagles headlined the first event — a concert that generated $4.8 million in revenue. The first NFL game came on September 10, 2001, a Monday Night Football matchup where the Broncos hosted the New York Giants.
AFC Championship (January 19, 2014): Peyton Manning’s Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 26–16 to reach Super Bowl XLVIII.
AFC Championship (January 24, 2016): The Broncos defeated the Patriots again, 20–18, on the way to winning Super Bowl 50 in what became Peyton Manning’s final season.
Democratic National Convention (August 28, 2008): Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination before 84,000 people — the stadium’s all-time attendance record — on a temporary stage designed to resemble a Greek temple.
$100M+ Upgrades (2022–2024): The Walton-Penner ownership group invested over $100 million in new videoboards, modernized suites, improved Wi-Fi, and enhanced fan amenities — the most significant investment since the stadium opened.
From John Elway’s final seasons to Peyton Manning’s championship run to a new ownership era investing heavily in the future, Empower Field at Mile High carries the weight of Denver’s football identity — a stadium where the altitude, the mountains, and the orange make every game feel like it matters more.
Photo Gallery
Fun Facts
Empower Field sits exactly one mile above sea level (5,280 feet), giving the Broncos one of the NFL's most significant home-field advantages — visiting teams routinely struggle with the thin air and reduced oxygen.
The stadium has had four different names since opening in 2001: Invesco Field (2001–2011), Sports Authority Field (2011–2018), Broncos Stadium (2018–2019), and Empower Field at Mile High (2019–present).
The 2008 Democratic National Convention drew 84,000 people to the stadium — still its all-time attendance record — where Barack Obama accepted the presidential nomination under a temporary stage built to resemble a Greek temple.
Stadium Location
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the seating capacity of Empower Field at Mile High?
- Empower Field at Mile High seats 76,125 for NFL games. The capacity can expand to approximately 84,000 for concerts and special events. The all-time attendance record is 84,000, set during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
- Where is Empower Field at Mile High located?
- The stadium is at 1701 Bryant Street in Denver, Colorado 80204. It sits just west of downtown Denver, about 1.2 miles from Union Station and within view of the Rocky Mountains.
- How do I get to Empower Field at Mile High by public transit?
- Take the RTD light rail E or W Line to Empower Field at Mile High Station — a 4-minute ride from Union Station. The Decatur/Federal station on the W Line is also nearby. Bus routes 30 and 31 stop on Federal Boulevard just west of the stadium. Fare is $3 for local trips.
- Is there parking at Empower Field at Mile High?
- The stadium has 6,500 on-site parking spaces across 11 lots, but most are reserved for season ticket holders. Public lots cost $40–$60 on game days. Off-site lots and garages nearby run $12–$25. Pre-purchase through SpotHero for best rates.
- Why is it called Mile High?
- Denver sits at exactly 5,280 feet (one mile) above sea level, earning it the nickname 'Mile High City.' The thin air at altitude reduces oxygen levels and affects ball flight, giving the Broncos one of the NFL's most significant home-field advantages.
- What was the stadium called before Empower Field?
- The stadium opened as Invesco Field at Mile High in 2001, became Sports Authority Field at Mile High in 2011, was briefly called Broncos Stadium at Mile High in 2018–2019, and became Empower Field at Mile High in September 2019 under a 21-year naming deal.
- What major events has Empower Field hosted?
- The 2008 Democratic National Convention (84,000 attendance), 2016 and 2014 AFC Championship Games, the 2001 Eagles opening concert ($4.8 million revenue), Monster Jam, international soccer friendlies, and concerts from Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, and U2.
- How far is the airport from Empower Field?
- Denver International Airport (DEN) is approximately 23 miles northeast of the stadium, about 30–40 minutes by car. Rideshare runs $35–$50. The RTD A Line train connects DEN to Union Station in 37 minutes, then transfer to the E or W Line (4 minutes to the stadium).
Last updated: 2026-03-04
