Denver Sports Venues Guide
Denver is one of America's most passionate sports cities — home to five pro teams with recent championships in three sports. Here's everything you need to know about Denver's four major venues, from parking to tickets to game-day experience.
Denver's Professional Sports Teams
| Team | Sport |
|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | NFL Football |
| Denver Nuggets | NBA Basketball |
| Colorado Avalanche | NHL Hockey |
| Colorado Rockies | MLB Baseball |
| Colorado Rapids | MLS Soccer |
Denver Sports Venue Guides
Empower Field at Mile High
Denver Broncos (NFL)
One of the most iconic stadiums in the NFL — Empower Field sits at 5,280 feet elevation (literally a mile high) with dramatic Rocky Mountain views visible from the upper bowl. Home to the Denver Broncos, the stadium hosts 8 home games per season plus playoffs. The tailgate scene around the stadium is legendary in Colorado.
Game Day Experience
- Tailgate begins 4–5 hours before kickoff in the parking lots
- Orange Crush — Denver's official fan colors, wear them for home games
- Gates open 2.5 hours before kickoff
- Upper bowl upper decks have the best mountain views
- RTD runs game day service from multiple park-and-ride locations
Parking
Large parking lots surrounding the stadium. $25–$50 day-of. Reserve in advance online for savings.
Getting There
RTD special game day service from Union Station and multiple park-and-rides. Most convenient option.
Ticket Tips
Season tickets are scarce but resale is available on StubHub. Cheap resale happens the day of in cold/bad weather.
Ball Arena
Denver Nuggets (NBA) + Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
Denver's downtown sports and entertainment anchor — Ball Arena is steps from Union Station and connected to RTD light rail, making it one of the most accessible arenas in the US. The Nuggets won the 2023 NBA Championship here. The Avalanche won the 2022 Stanley Cup. Championship banners hang from the rafters.
Game Day Experience
- 2023 NBA Champions: Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets built their legacy here
- 2022 Stanley Cup Champions: Colorado Avalanche banner hangs at center ice
- Club level has excellent food and drink options
- Lower bowl corner seats offer great value for basketball
- The concourse has large murals celebrating Denver sports history
Parking
Limited and expensive ($30–$50). RTD is strongly recommended.
Getting There
RTD W/C/E line — Pepsi Center/Elitch Gardens station is 100 yards from the arena entrance. Best transit access of any Denver venue.
Ticket Tips
Nuggets and Avs resale is available on SeatGeek and StubHub. Corner lower bowl seats for basketball offer excellent value vs. baseline.
Coors Field
Colorado Rockies (MLB)
Coors Field is one of baseball's most beloved ballparks — brick exterior, mountains visible from the upper deck, the famous Purple Row at exactly 5,280 feet elevation, and the longest homeruns in MLB thanks to the thin air. Located in the heart of LoDo, the surrounding Blake Street bar district makes game day a full Denver neighborhood experience.
Game Day Experience
- Purple Row (Row 20 of the upper deck) — exactly one mile above sea level
- $1 hot dog Mondays — cheapest game day food deal in MLB
- Rockpile — right field bleachers, cheapest tickets in the house ($4)
- Rooftop bar at Coors Field — views of the mountains and the field
- LoDo bar district pregame: Blake Street bars pack out for every home game
Parking
Nearby paid lots, $15–$30. LoDo also has parking garages. Walk from Union Station (5 min).
Getting There
Walking distance from Union Station (A/B/C/E/W lines). No direct RTD stop but an easy walk from multiple rail stations.
Ticket Tips
Rockpile ($4) and upper deck Purple Row seats ($8–$15) are Denver's best sports value. Group tickets and weeknight games are cheap.
Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Colorado's dedicated soccer stadium, purpose-built for the Rapids and one of the finest MLS venues. The passionate Rapids fan section (Centennial 38) creates an authentic soccer atmosphere. The view of the Front Range from the east side is spectacular. Denver's fastest-growing sports fan base.
Game Day Experience
- Centennial 38 — Rapids supporters section, loud and passionate
- Pregame tailgate culture growing rapidly
- View of the Rockies from the stadium is exceptional
- MLS All-Star Game was held here in 2014
- Family-friendly atmosphere with kid sections
Parking
Free parking in adjacent lots.
Getting There
RTD route 112 from downtown Denver (30 min). Game-day express bus service available for select matches.
Ticket Tips
MLS tickets are significantly cheaper than other pro sports. Family packs and student discounts available. Centennial 38 section tickets are the most fun.