Empower Field at Mile High

The Broncos' open-air stadium a mile above sea level

Empower Field at Mile High is a 76,125-seat open-air stadium in Denver and the home of the Denver Broncos of the NFL. It opened in 2001, replacing the original Mile High Stadium, and sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet. Beyond Broncos games, it books stadium concert tours and other large events, mostly in summer and early fall.

The name has changed several times under naming-rights deals: Invesco Field at Mile High (2001–2011), Sports Authority Field at Mile High (2011–2018), Broncos Stadium at Mile High (2018–2019) and Empower Field at Mile High since 2019.

• Broncos games: preseason in August, the regular season from September into early January, and home playoff games when the team earns them.
• Concerts: mostly summer, when the weather at altitude is most reliable.
• Weather: September games can be hot and sunny; December games can bring snow and hard cold. There is no roof.

Empower Field seating chart: three tiers explained

The Empower Field seating chart has three main seating tiers, with suites between them. The lower deck wraps the entire field.

• 100 level: the lower bowl, reached from the main concourse and running all the way around the field. Fan-guide references place 100-level sections at least from 105 to 133.
• 300 level: the club level, a shorter tier located largely along the sidelines with access to indoor club space and earlier gate entry.
• 500 level: the upper deck, the highest and lowest-priced seats. In the north end zone, colored seats in the upper deck spell out the Broncos logo.
• Suites: 132 executive suites sit between the tiers.

Sideline sections cost the most on every level, with prices falling toward the corners and end zones. Published guides do not agree clearly on which sideline sections sit behind the Broncos bench, so if that matters to you, confirm it on the seat map attached to your listing.

The concourse floors are steel, part of the old Mile High tradition of fans stomping to make noise.

Where to sit for Broncos games and concerts

Football

• Lower sideline, rows 15 and up: high enough to see over players standing on the sideline, close enough to hear the hits.
• 300-level club sideline: the higher sideline angle many fans consider the best way to watch football, plus indoor space on a cold December afternoon.
• 500 level between the 20-yard lines: the value choice. The view of formations is clear, and the climb is the trade-off.
• Upper end zones and corners: the lowest prices in the building, but plays at the far end are a long way off.

The lowest rows of the end zones look close on a map but flatten the field. A seat higher up in the same section shows more of the play.

Sun and cold

The sun is strong at altitude. For an early-season afternoon game, assume an uncovered seat will be in direct sun for at least part of the game, bring sunscreen and favor back rows of a tier, which sit under the deck above and get some shade. For late-season games the same back rows block wind and snow, and the club level's indoor space becomes worth more.

Concerts

For an end-stage show, the 100- and 300-level sideline sections nearest the stage give the best angle. Seats facing the stage from the far end of the 500 level are the farthest in the building. Concert rules and layouts differ by tour, so read the map on your listing.

Demand: which Broncos games sell first

The Broncos have sold out nearly every home game since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger, so tickets are rarely easy. Demand peaks for AFC West rivals, especially the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, for prime-time games and for late-season games with playoff stakes. Preseason games are the easiest way in.

Visiting fan bases that travel well to Denver can push up demand in the upper deck and end zones, since those are the sections road fans tend to buy. Concert demand depends on the act; floor and lower sideline seats go first.

Parking and light rail to Empower Field

For Broncos games, on-site parking is the hardest part of the trip. The stadium lists about 6,500 on-site spaces, mostly held by season permit holders, plus about 15,000 spaces off site. As of the 2026 season, the stadium reports pre-sold on-site permits sold out; limited gameday parking is first come and credit card only.

Light rail

• Empower Field at Mile High Station: on RTD's E and W lines, about an eight-minute walk to the gates.
• Decatur-Federal Station: on the W line, an alternate stop on the other side of the stadium.

Light rail is usually the least stressful option, but trains fill quickly after the final whistle, so expect a wait or walk a few minutes to a less crowded spot.

Other options

• Rideshare: drop-off at the northeast corner near Gate 5; after games, pickup has been moved to the Ball Arena area at 5th and Walnut Streets, about a 15-minute walk.
• Denver Trolley: a gameday shuttle runs from Confluence Park near downtown.
• Tailgating: allowed in most lots, which open hours before kickoff, with one permit covering one vehicle space.

Check the stadium's parking page for current lot maps and transit notes.

Clear-bag policy and gate rules (as of October 2026)

As of the 2026 season, Empower Field at Mile High enforces a clear-bag policy (bags must be transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC) for ticketed events:

• Clear bags: no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, including clear backpacks, clear cinch bags and one-gallon zip-top bags.
• Small bags: one clutch or wallet no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches, with or without a strap.
• Not allowed: regular backpacks, purses over the size limit, camera cases, tinted or mesh bags and seat cushions with pockets.
• Medical exceptions: considered after inspection at the gate; the stadium asks guests to contact it at least two business days ahead.
• Lockers: available for a fee outside Gate 8 if your bag does not comply.

The stadium notes that rules can differ for concerts and other non-football events. Other policies to know:

• Gates open two hours before kickoff; club and suite holders three hours.
• Tickets are mobile only, and there is no re-entry.
• The stadium is cashless, with reverse ATMs that load cash onto a card.
• Alcohol sales end in the third quarter of NFL games.

Check the stadium's current bag policy before you go. Every order on GoodSeats is backed by a 100% guarantee.

From Invesco Field to a planned successor

The stadium opened on August 11, 2001, replacing Mile High Stadium, which the Broncos had used since 1960. The playing surface has been Kentucky bluegrass since 2015, after years of a hybrid system. A 30-foot horse statue named Bucky stands on top of the scoreboard, and a 2023 renovation added a 225-foot-wide video board.

Past tenants include the Colorado Rapids of MLS (2002–2006) and the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team (2006–2019). In 2008 the stadium hosted Barack Obama's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention. The Broncos have since named Burnham Yard as the preferred site for a privately funded new stadium targeted for 2031; plans of that size can change, so treat the timeline as tentative.

Sources

• Wikipedia – Empower Field at Mile High
• Empower Field at Mile High – Clear Bag Policy
• Empower Field at Mile High – Fan Guide A-Z
• Empower Field at Mile High – Directions and Parking
• Stadiums of Pro Football – Empower Field at Mile High
• Wikipedia – Denver Broncos