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Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, Colorado (Home Of The Denver Broncos)


Empower Field at Mile High has previously been known by different names including 


Invesco Field at Mile High, Broncos Stadium at Mile High and Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Nicknames include Mile High, Mile High Stadium, or New Mile High.


The stadium opened in 2001 replacing the old Mile High Stadium. The main tenant at Empower Field is the Denver Broncos NFL football team. Previously, it was the home of the Colorado Rapids soccer team and Colorado Rapids lacrosse team.


Mile High’s name is derived from its location, which is a mile above sea level. The Broncos are said to have the best home advantage in the NFL due to the difficulty of competing at this altitude. 


The cost of building the stadium was approximately $400 million, with 75% paid for by the State of Colorado and25% paid by the Denver Broncos team.


Naming rights were originally bought by Invesco Funds Group and in 2011 acquired by Sports Authority. In 2019, Empower Retirement took over the naming rights.  


How Many Seats Are In Empower Field At Mile High


Empower Field has a seating capacity of 76,125 including club seats and luxury suites. There are 8,200 club seats in total and 144 luxury suites. The stadium is twice the size of the original Mile High at 1.8 million square feet, despite only seating two more fans. 


There are three main seating areas; the field level, the United Club level and the upper level. Field level seats comprise sections 100 to 135 with the rows closest to the field numbered from 1-20 and 24-41 for rows furthest from the field. 


Broncos sideline is in front of sections 104,105 and 106 with the visiting team’s tunnel being next to sections 129 and 130. 


United Club is divided into two areas, West Club and East Club. On the east side, sections 331-346 make up the seats of East Club and sections 300-315 on the west side make up West Club. Rows for United Club are numbered from 1-19. 


Benefits of United Club include access to facilities such as lounges, exclusive entrances, 22-inch padded seats, flat screen TVs and fireplaces. Row 1 in United Club is the most expensive but offers in-seat waiter service, best views of the field and VIP parking. 


The four types of suites at Empower Field are the 5280 Room, Ring of Fame suites, single-game suites and executive suites, which are sold for the full season. Perks for the suites include passes to player warm-ups, assigned suite attendants and VIP parking. 


Directions – How To Get To Empower Field At Mile High


For driving directions to Empower Field, use the address 1701 Bryant Street • Denver, CO 80204. 


Empower Field was built to be very accessible and is located along Interstate 25 close to Colfax Avenue and 17th Avenue exits. It is fringed by Federal Boulevard, a major route in Denver on its west side. 


For public transportation, a light rail service is available to get directly to the stadium, operated by the Regional Transportation District. They operate regular services on the east and west lines. 


Some local buses serve the area around the stadium, most notably Route 30 and 31 at the South and North Federal Boulevard respectively. 


You can also take a bus to Denver Union Station and use the light rail service from there to reach Empower Field.  These routes are 0, 9, 10, 15, 20, 32 and the Flatiron Flyer. Routes 1, 15L, 16, 31 to Decatur Federal Station get you within a 10-minute walk of the stadium. 


Where To Park Near Empower Field At Mile High


There are around 6,500 parking spaces at Empower Field and an additional 15,000 in independent parking lots surrounding the stadium. On-site parking spaces within the stadium are reserved for season ticket holders with pre-purchased permits. 


On game days a limited number of parking permits are available on a first come, first served basis in Lots A and C. Lot A is a carpool lot, you need to have at least four people in your car to buy one of these permits. 


The early tailgating lot is Lot C and on Broncos game days this will usually sell out within the first hour of opening.


The VIP tailgating lot is Lot J which is at Mile High monument to the north of Empower Field and opens three hours before the game, closing at kickoff. 


A joint effort between the Denver Broncos, the Stadium Management Company, Metropolitan Football Stadium District, HNTB Sports Architecture, and the Disabled Access Advisory Committee means that the stadium was designed to provide equal access to facilities. 


This includes seating, concessions, restrooms, concourses and parking. Lots D, G and L have ADA parking spaces which can be purchased on the day on a first come, first served basis.


There is also an accessible shuttle cart service. 


Other Empower Field At Mile High Frequently Asked Questions


Why Is Mile High Called Empower Field?


Mile High’s naming rights were acquired by Empower Retirement, which is a financial services company that is based in Greenwood Village. The stadium cycled through many names since it opened in 2001. Empower have the rights until 2029. 


Who Owns Empower Field At Mile High?


Empower Field is owned by the Metropolitan Football Stadium District (MFSD) and is  managed by the Stadium Management Company, LLC. This is, a subsidiary of the Denver Broncos Football Club


Can You Walk Around Empower Field?


You can take a tour of Empower Field, which lasts around 75-90 minutes. The tour is approximately half a mile and is completely ADA accessible. Guides are knowledgeable and will take you around the Hall of Fame and the museum. 


What Started The Fire At Empower Field?


In March 2002 a fire caused damage to third level seating and suite areas in the stadium. It is thought a welding torch in a construction area may have started the fire.


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