Sports Authority Field at Mile High

Denver Broncos

About Stadium

Originally named Invesco Field at Mile High, Sports Authority Field at Mile High is the home to the NFL’s Denver Broncos. The stadium opened in 2001 to replace the old Mile High Stadium in downtown Denver, and was mostly funded by Denver metro area tax payers.

It was the last part of a 6-year sporting venue renovation program around Denver which also included the Rockies’ Coors Field and the Nuggets’ Pepsi Center.

A long tradition among fans at the stadium, particularly in the upper levels is to create a rumbling sound by stomping their feet. This started at the old Mile High stadium which tended to reverberate heavily under the vibration.

Invesco had originally paid $120 million for naming rights to the stadium, but that named was later pulled in favor of Sports Authority Field on August 16, 2011 at the price of $6 million per year.

It’s primarily the home of the Denver Broncos, but also hosts the Denver Outlaws from Major League Lacrosse, and various college football rivalries games such as the Colorado State Rams and the University for Colorado Buffaloes.

Since 2001 the stadium has sold out every Denver Broncos home game, which is also a tradition that dates back to the old Mile High stadium who had sold out every game since 1970.

•Capacity: 76,125

•Opened: September 10, 2001

•Playing Surface: Kentucky Bluegrass

•Location: 1701 Mile High Stadium Circle

Denver, Colorado 80204-1701

History

• On September 10, 2001 the Denver Broncos played their first game at the new stadium, defeating the New York Giants by a score of 31-20. The team honored a number of past Bronco-greats like John Elway, Steve Atwater, Randy Gradishar, Floyd Little, and Dennis Smith.

• The stadium has been the host of a number of NFL playoff games such as the 2005 AFC Divisional Playoff Game, the AFC Championship game the following week, the AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against the Steelers on January 8, 2012, and the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Ravens on January 12, 2013.

• Invesco had originally purchased the naming rights to the stadium, but failed to keep the “Mile High” part of the name, causing much push-back from many outraged fans, including the local press who refused to acknowledge Invesco as the name of the stadium, and still referred to it as Mile High Stadium.

• The team’s attendance record was set on October 29, 2007 when 77,160 watched the Broncos lose to Aaron Rogers and the Packers 19-13 on Monday Night Football on the first play of overtime.

• In August of 2011 the naming rights were purchased by Englewood, Colorado-based company Sports Authority who kept the Mile High as part of the stadium’s name.

Past and Current Teams

Denver Broncos (NFL) (2001–present)

Denver Outlaws (MLL) (2006–present)

Colorado Rapids (MLS) (2001–2006)