If you've ever watched the I-25 corridor between the Mousetrap interchange and the Federal Boulevard ramp turn into a 45-minute parking lot on a Denver Broncos game day, you already know how this story goes. Empower Field at Mile High holds 76,125 fans for football — and the stadium has just 6,500 on-site parking spaces to serve them. That gap is the whole game-day math problem in one sentence: Lot C, the early tailgate lot, opens a full six hours before kickoff and is expected to sell out within 30 to 60 minutes of opening.
If you want decent tailgate parking, you're either there by 8 AM or you're not. Then, after the final whistle, rideshare pickup has moved to 5th and Walnut Street near Ball Arena — a 15-minute walk east of the stadium across the Broncos Bridge, while 76,000 other fans are also headed somewhere. One bus removes every item on that list.
This guide covers exactly how a Denver charter bus or party bus rental handles an Empower Field at Mile High trip from start to finish — where the bus drops off, where it stages during the game, what the real parking and rideshare situations look like, which vehicle fits your headcount, what shapes the price, and how every alternative stacks up. denverpartybus.org connects you to a large network of bus companies serving Denver, so you can compare options and get pricing in under 30 seconds. Fill out the quick form online or call 720-597-7100 any time — and the rest of this guide will make sure you know exactly what you're planning around.
Why Rent a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High?
One bus replaces the entire Broncos game-day scramble. Between coordinating carpools from different parts of Denver, fighting for a Lot C space that sells out before 9 AM, making sure nobody has to skip the third quarter to beat the post-game lot crawl, and sorting out who's taking the 15-minute walk to the Ball Arena rideshare zone — the logistics of getting a group to 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204 can bury the pregame energy before you ever reach the gates. A Denver party bus or charter bus rental eliminates all of it.
Your group boards at one address, arrives together at Gate 5, and the bus is waiting when you walk out.
The numbers make it even clearer. Those 6,500 on-site spots serve a stadium that fills to 76,125 — less than 9% of fans can park on the grounds at all. The other 91% are competing for roughly 15,000 spaces in nearby independent lots, or pushing onto the RTD light rail, or walking up to a mile from Ball Arena parking and Auraria Campus.
When your group is eight, ten, or thirty people, coordinating separate cars across that scramble is genuinely painful. Put everyone on one bus and the scramble belongs to somebody else.
For the full picture of Denver Broncos game-day group transportation — and other sporting events across the metro — the Denver sporting event transportation page has everything you need. For Empower Field specifically, the rest of this guide goes lot-by-lot and gate-by-gate.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Empower Field at Mile High
Rideshare services drop off at the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle — and that's the same approach a charter bus or party bus uses to get your group to the front of the venue. The stadium's published rideshare page confirms Gate 5 as the designated drop-off point, which means your group walks straight from the curb to the gate entrance instead of hiking in from a remote lot. That drop-off is where the bus comparison with rideshare ends, though — because after the game, rideshare and a private bus go completely different directions.
Post-game rideshare pickup at Empower Field has moved to 5th and Walnut Street, in the Ball Arena rideshare lot — roughly a 15-minute walk east of the stadium. The route takes you out the stadium's east exit, across the Broncos Bridge pedestrian crossing, left on Walnut Street past the RTD Decatur-Federal light rail station, and up to 5th and Walnut. That walk is about a mile.
After a three-hour-plus NFL game, at Denver's 5,280-foot elevation, with 76,000 other fans headed somewhere at once, it's the detail most first-timers don't account for. ADA rideshare pickup uses a separate location: 9th Street and Auraria Parkway to the southwest of the stadium.
Rideshare drops your group at Gate 5 — the same spot a charter bus uses. But post-game, rideshare pickup is at 5th and Walnut Street, a 15-minute walk east across the Broncos Bridge. A private bus is staged nearby and ready when your group walks out.
That single difference is what the whole game-day comparison comes down to.
Where Does the Bus Stage During the Game?
The stadium's directions page notes that directions and lot assignments are subject to change based on event-day road closures and traffic flow — and the approach is confirmed when your booking is locked in for your specific date. What that means practically: the bus drops your group near Gate 5, then coordinates staging in a nearby lot or designated area during the game. The booking is confirmed for the event date so your group's pickup window is set in advance — no scrambling for a staging spot at kickoff, no guessing at a closed gate.
When you finalize your quote through 720-597-7100, the exact approach and post-game pickup point for your event date are confirmed as part of the arrangement.
It's always smart to check the official Empower Field gameday parking and directions page before your visit for the latest event-day road closure updates and lot assignments.
Getting to Empower Field at Mile High: All Your Transportation Options
Denver's options for getting to Empower Field without a car are genuinely better than most NFL cities — the light rail runs right to the stadium, the Denver Trolley Football Shuttle covers LoHi and Confluence Park, and the stadium is only a couple of miles from downtown. But for groups, none of those options keep everyone in the same place at the same time. Here's the honest comparison.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | Post-game pickup | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Gate 5, NE corner — steps from the entrance | Staged at the stadium, ready when you exit | Groups of 15–56 |
| RTD Light Rail (C, E, or W line) | $2.75 per person / 3-hr pass; free under 19 | Only if everyone buys tickets and boards the same train | Empower Field station — 8–10 min walk to gates | Packed trains; long waits after 76K fans exit | Solo or pairs from downtown or the 'burbs |
| Denver Trolley Football Shuttle | From $7/person each way | Only if you all catch the same trip | Broncos Bridge — ~100 yards east of stadium | Return trips from Broncos Bridge post-game | Small groups in LoHi or near Confluence Park |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, staggered arrivals | Gate 5, NE corner — same as the bus drop | 5th & Walnut, ~15-min walk east | 1–4 per car, nearby pickups |
| Driving and parking | $45–$55 per car + gas; lots sell out 2–3 hrs before kickoff | No — caravans split across different lots | Depends on your lot — some require long walks | 45–75 min to clear; one car per group can't leave early | 1–2 cars; small groups who arrive very early |
For one or two people coming from downtown, the RTD light rail at $2.75 a head is a genuinely smart call — the Empower Field at Mile High Station puts you 8 to 10 minutes from the gates, and the W line from Union Station is a four-minute ride. But the moment your party is large enough to need more than two cars, or arrives from more than two different directions, the coordination cost tips decisively toward one bus. Nobody's waiting on a late carpool, nobody's stuck in the lot, and the post-game exit is handled before the game even starts.
RTD Light Rail to Empower Field at Mile High
The Empower Field at Mile High station is served by RTD's C, E, and W lines. From Denver Union Station, the W or E line gets you to the Empower Field station in roughly four minutes — a ride that costs $2.75 for a three-hour pass, and is free for anyone under 19 through RTD's Zero Fare for Youth program. The Decatur-Federal station is also within easy walking distance of the stadium via the W line.
On event days, RTD typically adds service to handle the crowd surge, so it's worth checking current alerts before you travel. Follow the "Sports Walk" signs from the platform to navigate the 8-to-10-minute walk to the gates.
The honest caveat: post-game trains pack out fast after 76,000 fans exit at once, and trains can be standing-room-only or delayed at the Empower Field station for 20 to 40 minutes while the crowd thins. For one or two people, it's still worth it. For a group of 20 that wants to leave together, staying on the same train post-game is difficult to control.
Check the RTD official website for current game-day service schedules before your trip.
The Denver Trolley Football Shuttle
The Denver Trolley Football Shuttle runs frequent round trips from Confluence Park, behind REI at 1416 Platte Street, to the Broncos Bridge drop — approximately 100 yards east of the stadium entrance. Fares start at $7. If your group is staying in the LoHi or Platte Street corridor, this is a solid pregame option for small groups — but it's not a chartered, reserved service, so you're boarding on the same open schedule as everyone else.
For a 30-person corporate group or a fan group that wants a coordinated pickup and drop-off, it's not the right fit. It's worth knowing exists, though — especially if part of your group is coming from a different direction and joining you at the stadium.
Which Bus Fits Your Empower Field at Mile High Group?
The right vehicle comes down to two things: headcount and how much game-day gear you're bringing. denverpartybus.org connects you to the full vehicle lineup available through a large network of bus companies serving Denver, so you never pay for 56 seats when you need 20. Here's how the options break down for an Empower Field run.
| Vehicle | Capacity | Gear / storage | Best Empower Field use case | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Modest — bags and light gear | Suite holders, VIP groups, small corporate groups | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted privacy windows, individual reading lights |
| Party bus (25, 40, or 50 passengers) | 15–50 | Onboard, lighter | Fan groups wanting pregame energy building en route to the tailgate lot | Built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, premium Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, wraparound perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead bins plus some underfloor storage | Mid-size groups, office outings, corporate game-day shuttles from downtown hotels | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, greater maneuverability on congested surface streets |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Deep undercarriage bays for grills, coolers, folding tables | Large fan groups, company outings, groups bringing full tailgate rigs | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For fan groups who want to build pregame energy all the way to the gates, a 25- to 50-passenger party bus is the natural fit — built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, and a premium sound system keep things rolling from your first pickup to the Gate 5 drop. For larger groups or anyone bringing a serious tailgate setup, a full-size charter bus gives you deep undercarriage bays for the grills, coolers, and folding tables, plus an onboard restroom for the ride home. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — just include that detail when you request your quote.
Call 720-597-7100 any time to check availability for your headcount and date.
Denver Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices for Empower Field at Mile High
denverpartybus.org shows quotes online in under 30 seconds — no account required and no obligation to you. The price for a Denver party bus or charter bus rental to Empower Field at Mile High is shaped by a handful of clear factors: vehicle size, how many hours the bus is with your group (that includes pregame tailgate time and the post-game wait), the date and type of event, and pickup and drop-off mileage. To give you an idea, here's how the planning ranges break down by vehicle type.
| Vehicle | Weekday hourly | Weekend hourly | Per-day range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo | $200–$325 | $225–$350 | $1,550–$3,150 |
| Sprinter van | $200–$275 | $225–$375 | $1,400–$2,750 |
| 15-passenger party bus | $200–$350 | $250–$350 | $1,400–$2,850 |
| 25-passenger party bus | $250–$350 | $275–$375 | $1,850–$2,900 |
| 40-passenger party bus | $300–$350 | $325–$500 | $2,300–$3,500 |
| 50-passenger party bus | $300–$450 | $325–$500 | $2,150–$4,050 |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | $200–$250 | $200–$275 | $1,100–$2,150 |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | $200–$350 | $200–$350 | $1,350–$2,850 |
These ranges are planning figures to help you think through your budget — the real quote moves with your specific date, hours, and vehicle. Primetime games (Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football) and major concerts see higher demand than a Sunday afternoon game, so early booking matters on those dates. See the Denver party bus prices page for more detail, or call 720-597-7100 any time for a free quote on your exact itinerary.
A Game-Day Example
To give you an idea: for a primetime Broncos game, a 35-person group books a 40-passenger party bus. Pickup at 5:30 PM from LoDo, Gate 5 drop-off at 5:50 PM — nearly two hours before a 7:30 PM kickoff. The undercarriage bays hold the full tailgate rig (folding tables, cooler, camp chairs), and the group has the lot to themselves through 7:00 PM before heading in.
Post-game pickup is staged nearby; the group walks out at 10:30 PM and boards instead of walking 15 minutes to 5th and Walnut for a rideshare. A 7-hour block at that size might come to around $2,450 — roughly $70 per person, with the I-25 crawl, the parking scramble, and the post-game walk all solved in one number. Compare that to 10 cars each paying $55 for Lot C (if they even get in before it sells out) plus gas and post-game coordination — and the bus is both cheaper per head and considerably simpler.
One 40-passenger party bus replaces roughly 10 cars. That's 10 Lot C passes at $55 each ($550 total), 10 separate tailgate setups crammed into 10 individual parking spaces, and at least 10 people who can't have a beer because they're driving home — versus one flat rate split 40 ways and a single coordinated tailgate setup out of the undercarriage bays. Once you're past six or seven people, the bus is usually the simpler and more economical answer.
Routes, Traffic & Drive Times to Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High sits about 1.5 miles west of downtown Denver, just across I-25 from the LoDo and Auraria neighborhoods. The primary I-25 exits funnel into Mile High Stadium Circle, which wraps the stadium perimeter and connects to all the on-site lots. For GPS navigation, use Mile High Stadium Circle, Denver, CO as your destination rather than the mailing address, and check the Broncos app or Waze for event-day routing.
The drive from downtown Denver is short on paper — under two miles, typically five to ten minutes off-peak. On game days, that changes dramatically. I-25 both directions congests two to three hours before kickoff, and the lots themselves open only 4.5 hours before game time.
Here's an off-peak reference table for common pickup points — add 30 to 60 minutes on a game day, more for primetime or late-season games.
| From… | Approx. distance | Off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| LoDo / Union Station | ~1.5 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| Denver Tech Center (DTC) | ~13 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Aurora (Fitzsimons area) | ~12 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Englewood / Cherry Hills | ~8 miles | 15–20 minutes |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | ~25 miles | 35–45 minutes |
| Westminster / Thornton | ~15 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Lakewood / Arvada | ~8–12 miles | 15–25 minutes |
Because the stadium's directions page explicitly notes that approach routes are "subject to change with road closures and traffic flow," it's important to confirm the current event-day entry point when you book. The Denver Broncos App offers real-time traffic and lot-availability updates on game days, and the official Empower Field directions and parking page has downloadable entrance and exit maps for each specific lot.
Tailgating at Empower Field at Mile High: Rules Every Group Should Know
Empower Field has some of the best tailgating in the NFL — but the lots are not all created equal, and the rules differ by lot and event type. A charter bus with deep undercarriage bays is the ideal tailgate hauler: the grills, cooler, folding tables, and camp chairs travel in the bays and land right in your spot when you arrive. Here's what the stadium's official A-Z fan guide says about the tailgating rules every group needs to know before they arrive.
- Lot C is the premier early tailgate lot. It opens six hours before kickoff — as early as 8 AM for afternoon games. Spaces go for $55 per vehicle, cash not accepted (fully cashless). The stadium's own guidance says Lot C is expected to be sold out within 30 to 60 minutes of lot opening, so if a proper tailgate is part of your plan, "early" means extremely early. For a 1:00 PM kickoff, that means getting there before 9 AM. Lot C is south of the stadium and is the only lot with dedicated early-arrival tailgate space.
- Tailgating is prohibited in two specific areas. The B-Valet lot and the carpool section of Lot A are no-tailgate zones during Denver Broncos home games. Carpool Lot A spaces go for $45 per vehicle and require four or more passengers per vehicle — but no grilling, no tailgate setups, no exceptions.
- General lots open 4.5 hours before kickoff. ADA parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot L for $35 or in Lots D or G for $40, with a valid state-issued ADA placard or registration required. All on-site parking is fully cashless — credit card only at lot entrances, or pre-purchased permits through Ticketmaster.
- The VIP Tailgate in Lot J is a separately ticketed pregame experience, opening three hours before kickoff and closing at game start. Stadium admission and regular parking are not included in the VIP Tailgate ticket — it's an add-on purchase, not a replacement for your game ticket. It sits on the north side of the stadium near Gate 4 and the free Broncos Bike Valet.
- Tailgates must break down 30 minutes before kickoff. Whatever you brought in needs to be packed back into the vehicle or the undercarriage bays before the stadium closes the lots. Nobody can stay behind to manage gear while the group goes in — the lots are managed and you need to be in your seats.
- Lots sell out faster than most fans expect. The stadium's own parking guidance notes that lots routinely sell out well before kickoff — particularly Lot C within the first hour of opening. Pre-purchased permits are the only way to guarantee a space, and they're available through the official Broncos gameday parking page for home games.
The bus-and-tailgate combo works cleanly with these rules: the charter bus drops the group with tailgate gear already staged in the bays, everyone unpacks into their single designated space, and the bus holds any overflow items until the group heads in 30 minutes before kickoff. No car is locked in the lot; no one has to miss the first quarter managing gear.
After the Final Whistle: Getting Out of Empower Field at Mile High
Getting out of Empower Field is where the game-day math gets honest. Post-game clearance takes 45 to 75 minutes on a typical game day — stadium traffic staff manage one-way flows out of the lots, and I-25 backs up in both directions as 76,000 fans all try to leave at once. South-side parkers in Lots B, C, and E have a slightly faster shot at I-25 southbound, but the difference on a big game is measured in minutes, not the full hour of difference it sounds like on paper.
Rideshare users face the most counterintuitive post-game trip. The pickup zone is at 5th and Walnut Street — east of the stadium, not at Gate 5 where drop-off happened. The route out: exit on the east side of the stadium, cross the Broncos Bridge, take a left on Walnut Street past the Decatur-Federal RTD station, and walk to 5th and Walnut.
That's roughly 15 minutes on foot, at altitude, after a full game. Then you wait for a rideshare that may be in surge pricing. The RTD light rail is an option, but the Empower Field station is packed immediately after the game — trains can run 20 to 40 minutes behind during peak exit crowd, and you still need to coordinate from wherever you disembark.
With a bus, there's nothing to solve post-game. Your group exits the stadium, the bus is staged and ready, and you set your pickup window in advance so there's no confusion at the gate. The I-25 crawl on the way back is somebody else's problem — and that's the part of the game-day experience that's easiest to forget about when you're buying tickets and hardest to forget about when you're standing in a rideshare queue at 10:30 PM.
What's On at Empower Field at Mile High in 2026
Empower Field at Mile High runs a year-round event calendar, and the Broncos are just the beginning. The stadium's sellout streak dates to 1970 — every Broncos home game has been sold out for more than 50 consecutive years, which means game-day demand on the surrounding transportation network is consistent and heavy across the entire regular season.
Denver Broncos 2026 regular season home schedule includes eight home games, with two nationally televised primetime matchups that spike rideshare demand and lot competition significantly: a Sunday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams on September 27 and a Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks on October 15. Other confirmed home dates include the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 20, the Kansas City Chiefs on November 1, the Las Vegas Raiders on November 22, the Miami Dolphins on December 6, and a Christmas Day game against the Buffalo Bills on December 25. The season wraps at Empower Field against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18, with the exact date and time set closer to the game.
For all eight home dates, the sellout is essentially a given — and transportation books up accordingly, especially for primetime games where out-of-town fans fly in.
On the concert side, Empower Field's 85,000-plus capacity has made it a destination for stadium-scale touring acts. In 2026, confirmed shows include Zach Bryan on August 13 and 14 (a two-night run). Stadium concerts draw the same transportation crunch as game days — I-25 closures, lot sell-outs, surge pricing — and a Denver concert bus rental handles the drop-off and post-show pickup without any of it touching your group.
For concert dates especially, the right-size vehicle goes fast — booking several months out on show dates is the standard advice. Call 720-597-7100 as soon as your date is set.
Primetime Broncos games and stadium concerts at Empower Field see the heaviest demand for Denver party bus and charter bus rentals. For the Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football dates, or a major concert date, two to four months of lead time is the practical minimum for a comfortable vehicle selection. For the season opener and late-season finale, the same applies — Broncos fans in Denver don't skip home games.
First-Timer Tips for Visiting Empower Field at Mile High
A few things every group should know before game day at Empower Field, straight from the stadium's published guidance:
- Pack for the clear-bag policy. Per the stadium's NFL clear-bag rules, each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ (or a one-gallon clear zip bag), plus one non-clear clutch or small bag no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″. No backpacks, non-compliant bags, or oversized tote bags are permitted. Bag-check lockers are available outside Gate 8 for items that don't make the cut. The policy now extends to the Team Store as well (effective October 27, 2025).
- The entire stadium and all lots are fully cashless. Credit card or pre-purchased digital permit — nothing else. If your group is paying for lot parking, make sure everyone has their card ready at the entrance. No exceptions are made at the gate.
- Gates open two hours before kickoff for general admission and three hours early for club and suite access. The stadium recommends arriving at your gate at least one hour before event start to clear security and find your seats without rushing.
- Lot C sells out, and fast. Opening six hours before kickoff and selling out in 30 to 60 minutes means that if Lot C tailgate access is part of your plan, you need to arrive early — or let the bus handle the logistics and enjoy the ride instead of sitting in the lot at 7 AM.
- You're at 5,280 feet above sea level. That's Denver's whole identity as the "Mile High" city — and the elevation is real. First-timers, especially those flying in from sea level, can feel more fatigued than expected after a full game. The 15-minute post-game walk to the rideshare zone at 5th and Walnut hits harder than it sounds after three hours at altitude.
- ADA information and accommodations. The stadium has a dedicated ADA hotline at 720-258-3337 and email at adainfo@broncos.nfl.net — contact them at least two business days before your event for advance coordination. ADA rideshare pickup is at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway, not the Ball Arena rideshare lot. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the bus network — include it in your quote request.
- Save the stadium's contact. Empower Field at Mile High is at 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204. The main number is 720-258-3000.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
Where exactly does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Empower Field?
Rideshare services and private charter buses use the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle for passenger drop-off. That puts your group steps from the main gate entrance, which is the same coordinated access point the stadium publishes for all non-driving arrivals. The exact approach route on your event day is confirmed when you book, since directions and lot access can shift based on road closures and event-day traffic management.
Always check the official Broncos gameday parking page before your visit.
Where does the bus wait during the game?
The bus stages in a coordinated area during the game — the exact staging location for your event date is confirmed as part of the booking, so there's no guessing at a lot entrance. When you set your post-game pickup window in advance, the bus is ready at an agreed spot when your group walks out, not 15 minutes away at 5th and Walnut.
What is the rideshare situation post-game at Empower Field?
Post-game rideshare pickup moved to 5th and Walnut Street near the Ball Arena rideshare lot — roughly a 15-minute walk east of the stadium. The route takes you across the Broncos Bridge, left on Walnut Street past the Decatur-Federal RTD station, then up to 5th and Walnut. Surge pricing is common post-game, and wait times can extend significantly when 76,000 fans are all heading home at once.
ADA rideshare pickup uses a separate location at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway.
How much does it cost to rent a bus or party bus to Empower Field at Mile High?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours (including tailgate time and the post-game wait), the event and date, and pickup and drop-off mileage. To give you an idea: a 40-passenger party bus weekend hourly rate runs $325–$500/hour, and a 7-hour game-day block for 40 people comes to roughly $2,275–$3,500 total — or about $57–$87 per person, split across the group. A 15–35 passenger minibus runs $200–$275/hour on weekends.
These are planning ranges — the real quote for your specific date is generated in under 30 seconds online, or call 720-597-7100 for a free no-obligation estimate on your exact itinerary.
How early should we arrive at Empower Field on game day?
For a full Lot C tailgate experience, arrive when Lot C opens — six hours before kickoff, so 8 AM for a 2 PM game. Lot C sells out within 30 to 60 minutes of opening. For general lots (which open 4.5 hours before kickoff), arriving two to three hours before kickoff usually secures a space if you have a pre-purchased permit.
General admission gates open two hours before kickoff; club and suite access opens three hours out. For primetime Sunday Night or Thursday Night Football games, build in an extra 30 to 60 minutes for heavier-than-normal traffic on I-25.
Is there RTD light rail service to Empower Field at Mile High?
Yes — the Empower Field at Mile High station is served by the C, E, and W lines. From Union Station, the W or E line reaches the Empower Field station in roughly four minutes. The fare is $2.75 for a three-hour pass, free for anyone under 19.
The station is an 8-to-10 minute walk from the gates — follow the "Sports Walk" signage. Post-game, trains pack quickly and can be delayed 20 to 40 minutes as the crowd exits. Check RTD's official website for game-day schedules and any added service.
Does on-site parking at Empower Field sell out before game day?
Yes, and faster than most people expect. The stadium's own guidance notes that lots typically sell out well before kickoff on game days — which means a typical Sunday afternoon game has sold out on-site parking by early morning. Lot C, the early tailgate lot, is expected to sell out 30 to 60 minutes after it opens (six hours before kickoff).
Pre-purchased permits are the only reliable way to guarantee a space. All lots are cashless and no day-of cash transactions are accepted.
Can the bus pick up fans flying into Denver International Airport?
Yes. Denver International Airport (DEN) is about 25 miles from the stadium — roughly 35 to 45 minutes off-peak on I-70 West to I-25 South. One bus coordinates pickup at baggage claim and runs straight to the stadium or hotel, instead of splitting an out-of-town group across multiple rideshares on arrival day.
See the Denver airport transportation page, and mention DEN pickup in your quote request so the timing works around your flight arrival.
Are ADA-accessible buses available?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the bus network. Include your accessibility needs in the quote request, and the right vehicle can be arranged. At the stadium, ADA parking is available in Lot L ($35) and Lots D or G ($40), with a valid state-issued placard required.
ADA rideshare pickup post-game is at 9th Street and Auraria Parkway — not at the Ball Arena rideshare zone. Contact the ADA hotline at 720-258-3337 for advance coordination at least two business days before your event.
How far in advance should we book a bus for a Broncos game or Empower Field concert?
For regular-season games on a standard weekend, two to four weeks of lead time is workable — but the earlier you request, the better your vehicle selection and pricing. For Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, and major stadium concerts like the 2026 Zach Bryan two-night stand, two to four months out is the practical minimum. The Broncos' home sellout streak since 1970 means the Denver market is consistently active on NFL game dates, and the right-size vehicles go first on peak dates.
Call 720-597-7100 right now to lock in your date.
Book Your Empower Field at Mile High Bus Today
Whether it's a primetime fan group, a corporate suite outing, a concert night out for 50, or an out-of-town group flying into DEN for a big game, denverpartybus.org makes it easy to find and compare Denver party bus and charter bus options in under 30 seconds. No account required, no obligation — fill out the quick form or call 720-597-7100 any time, and compare pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Denver and the surrounding metro.
The bus drops your group at Gate 5 while the rest of the stadium fights for Lot C. You're done planning the hard part. For other big Denver venues, the Ball Arena bus guide covers Heat and Nuggets games with its own drop-off detail, and the Coors Field guide handles Rockies games in LoDo — both just as detailed as this one, if your group is hitting more than one stop. Call 720-597-7100 to get your Empower Field trip on the road!
