Empower Field at Mile High facts for kids
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Exterior view of the stadium
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 Empower Field at Mile High
Location in Colorado
Empower Field at Mile High
Location in the United States
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| Former names | Invesco Field (2001–2011) Sports Authority Field (2011–2018) Broncos Stadium (2018–2019) |
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| Address | 1701 Mile High Stadium Circle Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Location | Sun Valley |
| Coordinates | 39°44′38″N 105°1′12″W / 39.74389°N 105.02000°W |
| Public transit | RTD: E W at Empower Field at Mile High |
| Owner | Metropolitan Football Stadium District |
| Executive suites | 132 |
| Capacity | 76,125 (football) 85,000+ (concerts) |
| Record attendance | 85,233 (August 19, 2023; Ed Sheeran, +–=÷× Tour) |
| Surface | Kentucky Bluegrass (2015–present) Artificial Turf (2001–2015) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | August 17, 1999 |
| Opened | August 11, 2001 |
| Construction cost | $400.9million ($704 million in 2022 dollars) |
| Architect |
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| Project manager | ICON Venue Group |
| Structural engineer | Walter P Moore |
| Services engineer | M-E Engineers, Inc. |
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| Tenants | |
| Denver Broncos (NFL) (2001–present) Colorado Rapids (MLS) (2002–2006) Denver Outlaws (MLL) (2006–2019) |
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Empower Field at Mile High is a large American football stadium in Denver, Colorado. It's the main home for the Denver Broncos, an NFL team. The stadium opened in 2001, replacing the Broncos' old home, Mile High Stadium.
This stadium has also hosted other sports teams. These include the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team and the Colorado Rapids soccer team. Many concerts and big events have taken place here too. For example, Barack Obama accepted his party's presidential nomination here in 2008.
The stadium is often called "Mile High." This is because Denver is exactly one mile (5,280 feet) above sea level. Playing at this high altitude can be tough for visiting teams. The Broncos' loud fans also give them a great home-field advantage.
On March 24, 2022, a fire broke out at the stadium. It damaged some suites and seats on the third level. Sparks from a welding torch caused the fire.
Contents
How the Stadium Was Paid For
Building a big stadium like this costs a lot of money. The Denver Broncos worked with the state of Colorado to get it built.
Sharing the Costs
The Broncos team agreed to pay 25% of the stadium's cost. The state of Colorado paid the other 75%. A special group called the Metropolitan Football Stadium District (MFSD) helped manage the money. They also oversaw the building of the stadium.
Part of the money came from a small sales tax. People in the Denver area paid this tax. It was a tiny amount, just a tenth of a percent. This tax helped pay for the stadium's construction.
Stadium Names and Food
The stadium has had a few different names over the years. These names usually come from companies that pay to have their name on the building.
Naming Rights
When the stadium first opened in 2001, it was called Invesco Field. Invesco paid a lot of money for this name. Later, in 2011, Sports Authority took over the naming rights.
Even after Sports Authority closed down in 2016, its name stayed on the stadium for two more years. This was due to some legal rules. In 2018, the stadium was temporarily called Broncos Stadium at Mile High. Then, in 2019, a new company called Empower bought the naming rights. That's why it's now called Empower Field at Mile High.
Food and Drinks
Aramark Corporation runs the food and drink stands at the stadium. They started in 2019 when Empower became the new sponsor. Aramark works with local Denver restaurants. This means fans can enjoy many different food choices.
Cool Upgrades and Changes
The stadium has received many updates since it opened. These changes make the fan experience even better.
Big Screens and Better Lights
In 2012, the Broncos announced a $30 million project. This included a huge new HD LED video board. It was placed in the south end zone. This new screen was three times bigger than the old one.
In 2013, a funny story came out. Some workers buried a Kansas City Chiefs jersey near the 50-yard line. They hoped it would bring bad luck to the Broncos. But the Broncos won another Super Bowl just two years later!
To try and host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium got more upgrades. These included new LED lights and better locker rooms.
Recent Improvements
In 2022, the Broncos announced over $100 million in new upgrades. These were finished for the 2023 season. The video board was made even bigger. It now measures 225 feet wide by 72 feet tall. This makes it one of the largest screens in any NFL stadium. There's also a new fancy hospitality club on the field level.
What Happens at the Stadium
The stadium is mainly used for American football games. It's the home turf for the Denver Broncos.
Other Sports and Events
The stadium has hosted other sports too. It was home to the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team. It also hosts college football games, like the Rocky Mountain Showdown. High school football championships are played here as well.
Beyond football, the stadium is a popular spot for concerts and music festivals. It has also hosted Drum Corps International competitions. The Colorado Rapids soccer team played here before moving to their own stadium. In 2018, an international rugby league match between England and New Zealand was held here.
Where the Stadium Is Located
The stadium is easy to get to in Denver. It's part of a group of new sports venues built in the city.
Easy Access
The stadium is right next to Interstate 25. This is a major highway. It's also near Federal Boulevard, another big road. There's even a special light rail station that takes people directly to the stadium. It's located in the Sun Valley neighborhood.
Stadium Fun and Traditions
Fans at Empower Field at Mile High have some unique traditions. These make game days exciting!
Fan Chants and No-Shows
One popular tradition is the "Incomplete Chant." When the other team throws an incomplete pass, the announcer says, "Pass thrown by [quarterback's name] intended for [receiver's name] is..." Then, all the fans shout, "IN-COM-PLETE!!"
Another tradition is booing the "no-shows." The announcer shares the official attendance, including how many tickets weren't used. Fans then boo those who didn't come to the game.
Mile High Thunder and Bucky
Fans also create "Mile High Thunder." They stomp their feet on the stadium's steel floors. This makes a loud, rumbling sound. The stadium was built with steel floors to keep this special sound.
On top of the main scoreboard, you'll see Bucky the Bronco. Bucky is a 30-foot-tall replica of Roy Rogers' horse, Trigger. It's a famous stadium landmark.
The Broncos have sold out every home game since the stadium opened in 2001. This continues a long streak that started at the old Mile High Stadium in 1970.
Important Events at the Stadium
Many memorable events have happened at Empower Field at Mile High.
NFL Games and Playoffs
The first regular season NFL game was on September 10, 2001. The Broncos beat the New York Giants. Before the game, Broncos legends helped "Move the Thunder" from the old stadium to the new one.
The stadium has hosted many important NFL playoff games. The Broncos have won some big games here, including AFC Championship Games. These wins helped them reach the Super Bowl.
On October 29, 2007, a record 77,160 fans watched the Broncos play the Green Bay Packers. In 2009, the stadium hosted its first Thanksgiving Day game.
Soccer Matches
The stadium has also hosted exciting international soccer matches. In 2014, Manchester United played A.S. Roma here. Many other international friendly games and tournaments have taken place. These include the CONCACAF Gold Cup and the CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
Concerts and Music
The stadium is a popular place for big concerts. The Eagles played the first concert here in 2001. Many famous artists have performed, including Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and The Rolling Stones.
Taylor Swift was the first female artist to have a concert at the stadium in 2018. Ed Sheeran set a record in 2023 for the largest crowd, with 85,233 people attending his show.
Other Special Events
The stadium hosted the Rocky Mountain Showdown college football game in 2001. It has also hosted the Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game.
In August 2008, Barack Obama gave his acceptance speech for president here. About 84,000 people came to hear him speak. This was more than the usual stadium capacity because people were also on the field.
The stadium has also hosted AMA Supercross Championship and Monster Jam events.
Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
The Denver Broncos Ring of Fame honors important players and staff. Their names are displayed on Level 5 of the stadium.
Honoring Broncos Legends
The Ring of Fame was started in 1984 by team owner Pat Bowlen. It celebrates people who made a big difference to the Broncos. There isn't a set number of people chosen each year. Sometimes, no new members are added.
When the new stadium opened, the names in the Ring of Fame were rearranged. John Elway's name was moved to the center. It's now right between the goalposts in the north end zone.
Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum is located at the stadium. It opened in August 2001. You can find it at Gate #1 on the west side of the building. It celebrates sports heroes from Colorado.
2022 Fire Incident
On March 24, 2022, a fire broke out at the stadium. It damaged several sections of seats and suites. No one was hurt. The fire was caused by sparks from a welding torch. About 1,000 feet of seating were damaged. Repairing the damage was a big challenge. Workers had to fix steel parts and find new materials. They worked hard to get everything ready for the next Denver Broncos season.
See also
- Mile High Stadium
- Coors Field
- Ball Arena
- Dick's Sporting Goods Park
- National Sports Center for the Disabled
