Empower Field at Mile High: History, Facts & Future Plans

It’s a question nearly every first-time visitor asks: is the Denver Broncos’ stadium actually perched exactly one mile above sea level? The short answer is yes—5,280 feet, no rounding—and that elevation has shaped everything from the turf to the ticket prices.

Elevation: 5,280 ft (1,609 m) ·
Opened: 2001 ·
Seating capacity: 76,125 ·
Surface: Kentucky bluegrass (natural grass) ·
Primary tenant: Denver Broncos (NFL) ·
Naming rights partner: Empower (2021–present)

Eight key specs that define the venue, from ownership to architecture:

Is Empower Field actually a mile high?

Yes—the stadium’s field sits at 5,280 feet above sea level, exactly one mile. That number is not a marketing claim; it’s a verifiable geographic fact confirmed by the venue’s own website and by topographic data from the U.S. Geological Survey (Stadiums of Professional Football (elevation details)).

The elevation has real consequences. At 5,280 feet, air contains roughly 17% less oxygen than at sea level, which affects both player performance and ball flight. Kickers and punters consistently note that balls travel farther in Denver’s thin air. The Denver Broncos (NFL team article) have long used the altitude as a home-field advantage, with opponents often struggling with oxygen during games.

Why is Broncos Stadium called Mile High?

The nickname “Mile High” traces back to the original stadium, which opened in 1948 as Bears Stadium (Wikipedia – Mile High Stadium). Built on a former landfill by Bob Howsam, the facility was initially a minor-league baseball park with a single 18,000-seat grandstand (Wikipedia (original construction)). For context on recent NFL championships, see Who Won Super Bowl 2023.

How did the original Mile High Stadium get its name?

After the 1968 season, the venue was officially renamed Mile High Stadium, a civic nod to Denver’s elevation. The name stuck because it captured the city’s identity—Denver had long marketed itself as the “Mile High City,” and the stadium became the physical embodiment of that brand.

Does the name apply to the current stadium too?

Yes, the current facility is formally named Empower Field at Mile High, preserving the legacy. Even during periods when the naming rights changed (Invesco Field, Sports Authority Field), the “Mile High” suffix remained in the official name. The Stadiums of Professional Football (naming history) notes that the term “Mile High” has appeared in every incarnation of the stadium’s name since 1968.

The pattern: The elevation nickname is so embedded in Denver’s sports culture that no naming-rights deal has removed it—a rare continuity in modern stadium branding.

When did Mile High become an Empower Field?

Empower, a financial services company, acquired the naming rights in 2021. The deal brought the name “Empower Field at Mile High” into use that same year, ending a three-year period when the venue was temporarily called “Broncos Stadium at Mile High” after the previous sponsor, Sports Authority, went bankrupt in 2018 (Wikipedia (naming rights timeline)).

Who owns the naming rights now?

Empower is the current naming-rights holder under a multi-year agreement with the Denver Broncos and the Metropolitan Football Stadium District. The cost of the deal has been reported at approximately $10 million per year (Stadiums of Professional Football (naming rights financials)).

What is the cost of the naming rights deal?

While exact terms are confidential, multiple industry sources put the annual value at around $10 million, placing it in the middle tier of NFL naming-rights agreements. The contract runs through at least the 2028 season, with options for extension.

What this means: The naming-rights revenue provides a steady income stream for the stadium district, offsetting operational costs and helping fund future renovations—or a replacement.

When was Empower Field at Mile High built?

The current stadium opened on September 10, 2001, constructed adjacent to the original Mile High Stadium. Construction began in 1999 and cost $400.4 million, funded by a combination of public bonds and team contributions (Wikipedia (construction and opening)).

When did the old Mile High Stadium open?

The original venue—then Bears Stadium—opened in 1948. It was expanded repeatedly, from 18,000 seats to over 75,000 by 1977, including a famous movable east stand that weighed 9 million pounds and slid on a track of water (Stadiums of Professional Football (original stadium details)).

What year did the current stadium replace it?

The new stadium opened in 2001, and the old one was demolished later that year. The Broncos moved directly across the street, preserving the same elevation and the same symbolic one-mile altitude.

Why this matters: The transition from the old to new stadium kept the “Mile High” name alive but introduced modern amenities and expanded capacity—jumping from 75,000 to 76,125 seats.

What will happen to Empower Field at Mile High?

As of early 2025, there is no final decision on whether the stadium will be renovated or replaced. The Denver Broncos and the Metropolitan Football Stadium District are actively exploring both options (Stadiums of Professional Football (future plans)).

Are there plans for a new stadium?

Local media reports indicate that team ownership has held preliminary discussions about a new facility, but no formal proposal has been presented to the city or voters. Any new stadium would likely require public funding, which has been a contentious topic in Colorado politics.

Will Empower Field at Mile High be demolished or renovated?

Renovation is considered the more likely path. The stadium underwent some upgrades in the early 2020s, including new video boards and concession improvements. However, the 23-year-old facility lacks some modern features like a retractable roof (the stadium is open-air) and premium club spaces that newer NFL stadiums offer.

The trade-off: Renovation would keep the current location and elevation advantage, while a new build could address design limitations—but at a higher cost and longer timeline.

Empower Field at Mile High: key facts and visitor information

Beyond the altitude, several practical details matter for anyone planning to attend an event.

Empower Field at Mile High seating capacity and layout

The stadium seats 76,125 for NFL games, making it one of the larger venues in the league. The seating bowl is a single tier with upper decks on the east and west sides, plus end-zone sections.

Empower Field at Mile High turf or grass?

It’s natural Kentucky bluegrass, maintained over a heated field system that keeps the grass viable through Denver’s cold winters. The turf is replaced as needed to ensure playing quality (Stadiums of Professional Football (turf details)).

Empower Field at Mile High upcoming events

The event calendar includes Denver Broncos games (August–January), concerts, Monster Jam, and the Red Bull Soapbox Race. For NFL coverage, check NFL Sunday Ticket 2025. For current listings, visit the official venue website.

Hotels near Empower Field at Mile High

Downtown Denver hotels within walking distance or a short ride-shares include the Curtis, the Maven, and the Hyatt Regency. The stadium is also served by the light rail and bus lines.

The implication: the stadium’s unique elevation and open-air design shape every aspect of the visitor experience, from physical comfort to game-day logistics.

“The elevation of 5,280 feet is proudly stated on the official Empower Field website as a point of pride for the venue and the city.”

– Empower Field at Mile High official website (venue description)

“The Broncos sold out every game in their inaugural NFL season, a streak that has continued for over 56 seasons.”

– Wikipedia (Denver Broncos sellout streak)

“The versatility of the stadium has allowed it to host not only NFL football but also concerts, Monster Jam, and international soccer matches, demonstrating its importance as a community asset.”

– Stadiums of Professional Football (usage overview)

For Denver Broncos fans and Colorado taxpayers, the next few years will determine whether Empower Field at Mile High undergoes a major facelift or is replaced entirely. The one thing that won’t change is the one-mile elevation—it’s not a brand decision, it’s geography. The choice ahead is clear: invest in the current structure and accept its limitations, or start fresh and risk losing the very altitude that made the stadium famous.