Empower Field at Mile High Game Day Guide
Denver Broncos · Denver, CO
Know Before You Go
Essential details checked against official venue information.
- Bag policy
Any bag no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches is permitted, as are clear bags no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Medical exceptions require inspection and approval at gate screening; the venue recommends contacting it at least two business days before the event.
- Bag storage
Paid lockers for rejected bags and personal items are outside Gate 8 near the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame wall.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- The venue does not check items at the gates and does not publish the locker fee amount on its policy page.
- Gate opening
General gates open two hours before kickoff for Broncos games; eligible club and suite entrances open three hours before kickoff.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Use the gate printed on the ticket and plan to reach it about one hour before kickoff.
- Mobile tickets
Broncos tickets and parking permits are mobile in the Broncos app or Account Manager, and screenshots are invalid because the barcode rotates.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Save tickets and parking permits to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before arrival.
- Re-entry
Empower Field at Mile High does not allow re-entry after a ticket has been scanned and the guest leaves the stadium.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Prohibited items
Empower Field prohibits weapons, outside alcohol, non-compliant bags, noisemakers, large umbrellas, laser pointers, coolers, glass, cans, large bottles, laptops, and other listed items.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Review the complete official list before leaving home; event-specific rules may differ from the standard policy.
- First aid
First Aid Centers are across from Section 122 on the Main Concourse and near Section 534 on the Upper Concourse.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Nursing and lactation
Four coded nursing locations are inside Gate 6, near Section 316, in the west Level 5 elevator lobby, and near Suite 233.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Ask the nearest Guest Relations Center for the access code; breast-pump supplies are permitted after screening.
- Family restrooms
ADA-compliant family restrooms with baby-changing tables are near Gate 10 and Sections 135, 122, 305, 324, 341, 508, and 534.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Baby-changing stations are also available in every stadium restroom.
- Tickets for children
Guests age 2 and older need a ticket; an infant younger than 2 may sit on a ticket holder's lap if the child does not obstruct nearby views.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Guest services
Guest Relations Centers are at Gate 10 and Sections 122, 322, 508, and 534, with additional desks in club and suite elevator lobbies.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- To report a problem anonymously, text 720-650-6464 or call 720-258-3850 with the issue and location.
- Service animals
Trained service dogs are permitted on a leash or harness; pets and emotional-support animals are prohibited.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Pet-relief areas are available outside the stadium.
- Smoking and vaping
Smoking and vaping are prohibited except in designated areas at Gates 4, 5, 9, and 10.
Applies to: Denver Broncos games
- Smoking elsewhere can result in ejection without refund or re-entry; marijuana use or possession is prohibited throughout stadium property during public events.
Game Day Timeline
What the day looks like at Empower Field at Mile High, hour by hour.
Lots Open for Tailgating
Official stadium parking lots open. Fans claim spots and set up grills, canopies, and tailgate setups in the shadow of the Rockies.
Tailgate Scene Peaks
The lots are packed with Broncos fans grilling green chile burgers, bison brats, and Rocky Mountain cuisine. Coors Light and Colorado craft beers flow freely.
Gates Open
Stadium gates open. Head in early to explore the Ring of Fame plaza honoring Broncos legends and grab food without lines.
Player Warmups
Players take the field for warmups. The crisp mountain air and panoramic views of the Front Range make this a memorable moment.
Find Your Seats
Settle in and soak up the pregame energy. Thunder the horse and the Broncos cheerleaders are about to take the field.
Game Time
Thunder gallops through the end zone after every Broncos score. The crowd stomps in unison, creating the famous 'Mile High Thunder' that shakes the stadium. The 'In-com-plete!' chant on opponent incompletions is relentless.
Exit Strategy
RTD light rail handles crowds efficiently. Walk to LoDo (Lower Downtown) for post-game dining and nightlife along Larimer Square and Blake Street.
Tips & Fan Reports
Chant "In-Com-Plete" when the opposing QB throws an incompletion and be loud when the defense is on the field. Those are the only rules at Mile High.
UV is 25% stronger at altitude. You will burn even in November. Sunscreen is not optional at Empower Field.
Hydrate way more than you think you need. At 5,280 feet the altitude and dry air dehydrate you fast, especially if you are drinking beer.
Dress in layers, Denver's weather can swing 30°F in a single day. Warm afternoon sun can give way to a cold evening fast.
The RTD light rail from downtown to the stadium is $3 and avoids the I-25 traffic. Runs every 5-10 minutes on game days.
Apply sunscreen even in fall and winter, Denver gets 300+ days of sunshine, and UV exposure is 25% stronger at altitude.
Hydrate aggressively, the 5,280-foot altitude and low humidity cause dehydration faster than at sea level. Drink extra water before and during the game.
Weather
Empower Field at Mile High is open air, so these are the conditions you sit in.
Across the NFL season the warmest month is September, with an average high of 82°F, and the coldest is December, when the average low is 21°F. September is the wettest month at 1.2 inches and January the driest at 0.4 inches.
That December low ranks 9th coldest of the 32 NFL venues, and September here ranks 30th wettest.
September
1.2 inchesOctober
1.2 inchesNovember
0.8 inchesDecember
0.5 inchesJanuary
0.4 inchesDenver Broncos Clear Bag Policy
Most venues require a clear bag. Get an approved one before you travel.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Game day timeline
Gate opening time checked against the venue's own gate-opening policy: General gates open two hours before kickoff for Broncos games; eligible club and suite entrances open three hours before kickoff.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals
- Venue policies
Empower Field at Mile High A-Z, ADA, clear-bag, cashless, and dietary pages reviewed for Broncos visitor policies.