Empower Field at Mile High Tailgating
Denver Broncos · Denver, CO
Tailgating is permitted at Empower Field, and the stadium's own framing is about space rather than equipment: a setup must not occupy another parking spot and must not block the drive lanes or walkways. Most lots open 4.5 hours before kickoff. The exception is the one worth planning around — Lot C, the designated early tailgating lot, opens a full six hours before kickoff, sells a limited number of spaces first-come first-served at $55 by credit card only, and the stadium expects it to sell out within half an hour to an hour of opening.
Tips & Fan Reports
Park by Ball Arena and walk over. The earlier the better since it fills up fast. I usually shoot to park an hour before kickoff but 2-3 hours gets you a great spot and plenty of tailgate time.
Lot C is credit card only at $55. There is no cash option on the gate.
If the long tailgate is the point of the trip, Lot C is the only lot that gives you six hours — and the stadium says it sells out 30 minutes to an hour after it opens, so arrive at opening rather than near it.
Every other lot opens 4.5 hours before kickoff, so a standard tailgate window here is longer than at most stadiums even without Lot C.
The $45 carpool rate in Lot A needs four or more people in the vehicle, and buys you no tailgate — it is explicitly excluded there.
Where to Tailgate
Lot C — early tailgating lot
The one lot that opens six hours before kickoff rather than 4.5: 8AM for afternoon kickoffs, 12PM for evening games, 1PM for 7PM preseason. Limited spaces at $55, first-come first-served, credit card only, and the stadium expects it gone 30 minutes to an hour after opening.
Known for Opens 6 hours before kickoff · $55, card only · Sells out fast
General stadium lots
The rest of the lots around the stadium, opening 4.5 hours before kickoff. Tailgating is permitted, provided a setup stays within its own space and clear of the drive lanes and walkways.
Known for Open 4.5 hours before kickoff · Tailgating permitted
Lot A carpool section
Designated spaces in Lot A at $45 for vehicles carrying four or more people. Cheaper than general parking, but tailgating is specifically not allowed in the carpool section — it is a parking discount, not a tailgate spot.
Known for $45 for 4+ occupants · No tailgating permitted
Rules to Know
What Empower Field at Mile High allows, and what it does not.
- Tailgating is permitted, but fans must be mindful of other fans and use parking spaces for vehicle usage only.
- A tailgate must not occupy another parking spot, and must not block the drive lanes or walkways.
- Tailgating is not allowed in the designated carpool section of Lot A.
- Most parking lots open 4.5 hours prior to kickoff.
- Lot C, the early tailgating lot, opens 6 hours prior to kickoff and is sold on the day, first-come first-served.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
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.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Food for individual consumption and unfrozen, non-alcoholic drinks in permitted bottles no larger than 34 ounces may enter inside an approved clear bag.
- A card or a phone wallet
Empower Field is cashless at the ticket office, concessions, retail, and parking and accepts cards and contactless payments.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Broncos tickets and parking permits are mobile in the Broncos app or Account Manager, and screenshots are invalid because the barcode rotates.
- Layers, gloves and a hat
December lows average 21°F, and the seats are open to it.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
September highs average 82°F at Empower Field at Mile High, with no roof over the seats.
Tailgate Gear
Lots open 4.5 hours before kickoff, or 6 hours in Lot C.
- A setup that fits entirely within your own parking space — spilling into the next one is the stadium's named restriction
- Nothing that blocks a drive lane or walkway
- A credit card: Lot C is card-only at $55 and sells out within the hour
- Four or more people if you want the $45 Lot A carpool rate — though you cannot tailgate there
Denver Broncos Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Denver Broncos gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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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.
- Pregame
Empower Field at Mile High official site, Plan Your Visit — Directions & Parking (Broncos)
- Venue policies
Empower Field at Mile High A-Z, ADA, clear-bag, cashless, and dietary pages reviewed for Broncos visitor policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals