Official Empower Field parking lots
The Denver Broncos operate several official parking lots surrounding Empower Field at Mile High. Lots open 4 hours before kickoff, and tailgating is permitted in most areas. Cash and card lanes are available, but card lines move faster. Here's a breakdown of official options:
- Lot A (north side): $40–$60/game — the closest and most premium lot, directly north of the stadium. Most popular for tailgating. Fills first on big games.
- Lots B, C, D, E (south surface lots): $30–$50/game — slightly farther from the main entrance but still a short walk. Good tailgate space and faster exit access to I-25 south.
- Gate pricing: Cash and card accepted in all official lots. Card lanes move significantly faster — pre-paying online through the Broncos official site is the smoothest experience.
- Tailgating rules: Grills, tents, and coolers are allowed. Arrive early to claim the best spots. The Broncos post updated tailgate policies before each season.
Cheapest parking near Empower Field
Official lots are convenient but pricey. These alternatives can save you $15–$40 per game:
- Mile High Stadium Road surface lots: Private operators line the surrounding blocks. Expect $15–$25 for a surface spot a 10–15 minute walk from the gates. Arrive 2+ hours early to snag these.
- Sun Valley neighborhood streets: Side streets in Sun Valley immediately west of the stadium often have private lots for $15–$25. It's a flat 10–15 minute walk to the stadium entrance.
- SpotHero / ParkWhiz: Pre-booking through these apps can lock in spots from $12 before game day. Prices rise sharply as kickoff approaches — book at least 48 hours ahead for playoff or prime games.
- Auraria Campus lots: On non-game weekdays and some off-peak games, Auraria lots a few blocks east charge $8–$15. Check availability — these aren't always open for Broncos events.
| Parking Option | Distance to Stadium | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot A (official, north) | Adjacent | $40–$60 | Best tailgate, fills fastest |
| Lots B/C/D/E (official, south) | 2–5 min walk | $30–$50 | Easier I-25 south exit |
| Sun Valley surface lots | 10–15 min walk | $15–$25 | Arrive 2+ hrs early |
| SpotHero / ParkWhiz (pre-book) | Varies | From $12 | Book 48+ hrs ahead |
| RTD Light Rail (no parking) | 5–10 min walk from station | ~$3–5 | No parking stress at all |
Prices are per-game estimates and vary by opponent, day, and season. Pre-booking always saves money on high-demand games.
Free parking for Broncos games
Truly free parking near Empower Field on game day is limited, but it exists if you're willing to walk:
- Sunnyside and Berkeley neighborhoods: Free street parking is available roughly 1.5 miles north of the stadium on residential streets in Sunnyside and Berkeley. Most blocks don't have game-day parking restrictions, but they do fill up by game time.
- Budget 20 minutes on foot from these neighborhoods, or bring a bike or electric scooter to cut the transit time to under 10 minutes.
- Weekday games: On the rare Thursday Night Football or Monday Night Football game, some metered street spots near downtown (enforced until 8–10pm) may become free after enforcement hours if kickoff is late enough.
Getting to the Broncos game without driving
RTD makes getting to Empower Field genuinely easy — and post-game traffic makes it worth considering seriously:
- RTD Light Rail to Pepsi Center–Elitch Gardens Station: Take any RTD Light Rail line to this station, then walk 5 minutes to the stadium's north entrance. This is the closest transit stop to the field.
- C/E/W Line to 10th & Osage Station: A 10-minute walk to the south gates. Good if you're coming from south Denver or the Tech Center.
- RTD runs extra trains on game days: Trains run more frequently before and after Broncos games, and lines like the C, E, and W all converge near the stadium. Expect standing room on crowded post-game trains.
- Bike or scooter: The Platte River Trail connects downtown to near the stadium. It's a pleasant 15-minute ride and eliminates all parking hassle.
Flying in for the game?
If you're landing at Denver International Airport (DIA) for a Broncos game, you can be at the stadium without ever renting a car:
- DIA → A Line → Union Station → Light Rail → Stadium: The RTD A Line runs from DIA to Union Station in 37 minutes for $10.50. From Union Station, connect to a Light Rail line toward the stadium. Total trip: under 60 minutes from baggage claim to tailgate.
- Multi-day trip with a car: If you're renting a car and staying multiple days, compare off-airport DIA parking from $9/day — it can be cheaper than airport garage rates if you're gone for the full weekend.
Flying in just for the game and back the same day? The A Line + Light Rail combo is genuinely the most stress-free option. No parking, no post-game traffic crawl.