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Guide To Sports Authority Field At Mile High

In the 1990s Invesco Field at Mile High replaced Mile High Stadium, which was home to Denver's beloved Denver Broncos for more than 30 years. Team owner Pat Bowlen said that for the team to be competitive in the NFL and to stay in Denver, a new stadium was needed. Through taxpayer funds from the six counties surrounding the stadium, as well as funds provided by Bowlen, the stadium was built and official groundbreaking took place on Aug. 17, 1999. The stadium opened on Aug. 11, 2001 with an Eagles concert.

In August 2011 Sports Authority bought out the naming rights for the stadium and it became Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos first win in the renamed stadium came on Sept. 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The stadium is best known for the Broncos but it also has hosted concerts and other sporting events and was the venue chosen by President Barack Obama when he gave his acceptance speech during the Democratic National Convention in Denver in 2008.

Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos
Sports Authority Field at Mile High (credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)

Tickets

For fans looking to purchase tickets before a game, there are a couple of ways to do it. Tickets are available at the box office located between Gates 9 and 10. They're also available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (303) 830-TIXS. Additionally fans can also find tickets at any Ticketmaster outlet.
Broncos season ticket holders are able to re-sell their tickets at the Ticket Exchange. To learn more, visit Ticket Exchange or call (720) 258-3333. For more ticketing information, visit sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com.

CBS4 Tip: For fans who are able to get seats in the end zone on the Club Level, it can be a great deal. You will not pay the Club Level price or have the same view, however you will have the Club Level amenities. What that means for visitors is faster access to concession stands and bathrooms. That's less time away from the game.

Inside Invesco Field At Mile High
(credit: CBS)

Seating

The total seating capacity of Sports Authority Field at Mile High is 76,125. There are a total of 132 luxury suites on two levels and 8,800 Club Level seats.

Seattle Seahawks v Denver Broncos
A Denver Broncos cheerleader (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Premium Seating

Premium, luxury seating at Sports Authority Field at Mile High includes executive suites, party suites and club seats. The seats offer some of the best views in the stadium, full-service catering, elevator and escalator service from premium seat entrances, as well as many other amenities. For further information, call (720) 258-3333 or send an e-mail to premium.seats@broncos.nfl.net.

Parking Map
(credit: sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com)

Parking

Parking lot hours are Monday through Friday 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. For complete updated parking information and directions, click here: Parking Information.

Bike racks are available around the stadium. To learn more about local bike trails that you can take to the stadium, click the following link: Bicycle Colorado.

RTD

RTD provides regular rides and light rail service to Broncos games. Day of express rides are also available. To get BroncosRide information, including a Park-N-Ride near you, call (303) 299-6000 and press "1-1-2" or visit RTD on the web at RTD.

John Elway
John Elway was honored in 2004 with a street next to Sports Authority Field at Mile High that was named after him. (credit: CBS)

Interesting Facts

Name Change - Many Denverites started a campaign to keep the name "Mile High" when the stadium naming rights were sold, and one of those who was the most outspoken on the issue was John Hickenlooper who owned the Wynkoop Brewery. The effort became a turning point for Hickenlooper in his career and a few years later he found himself running for -- and winning - the race for Mayor of Denver.

Elway Drive - The loop around the west side of Sports Authority Field at Mile High is named after legendary quarterback John Elway. The Hall of Famer was present when the street -- John Elway Drive -- was designated with the honorary name in 2004. It was previously known as Mile High Stadium Circle. At the time of the street naming the stadium's official address was also changed to 7 John Elway Drive to honor Elway's jersey number.

Cost - The stadium cost more than $400 million to build. The cost included $2.6 million for video boards and $7 million for stairways and handrails.

Size - The stadium is 1.8 million square feet. The stadium is made of 12,000 tons of structural steel, 200,000 pounds of aluminum, 130,000 bricks, 1.6 millions masonry blocks, 1,500 plumbing fixtures and 25,000 light fixtures.

Events - Sports Authority Field at Mile High hosts about 300 events each year.

Invesco Field At Mile High Statue
Bucky Bronco weighs in at 1,600 pounds and is 27 feet tall. He is the tallest sculpture in any sports stadium in the world. (credit: CBS)

Bucky Bronco

Bucky Bronco has been a part of the team's history since 1975. He was cast from the same model as Roy Roger's horse Trigger. Roy Rogers granted permission for the use of the same cast as long as the name Trigger wasn't used. Thus, Broncos fans were put to the task of naming the statue. The result, Bucky was chosen. Bucky is made of fiberglass and steel. Bucky was removed from his 25-year home atop the south scoreboard of Mile High Stadium in May 2001. In August 2001 he found a new home atop the scoreboard.

Invesco Field At Mile High
(credit: CBS)

Stadium Food

There are about 560 concession stands at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.
Concession stands feature traditional football fare including hot dogs, polish sausages, nachos, pretzels, beer and French fries. Other stands offer pizza, burritos, tamales, grilled chicken sandwiches and margaritas. There is quite a variety of options for anyone looking to have a meal at the stadium during a game.

Alcohol Policy

No outside alcohol is allowed in the stadium. Beer sales finish at the end of the third quarter of Bronco games. Only two beers can be purchased per transaction at the stadium.

Inside Invesco Field At Mile High
(credit: CBS)

What's Allowed In

Soft-sided bags or containers no larger than 12" x 12" x 12" are allowed inside Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Clear, plastic grocery bags are encouraged to help facilitate security screening at the gates. Factory-sealed, soft-sided plastic bottles containing non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. Small, compact umbrellas are permitted; however, large golf umbrellas are not permitted. All items must fit into a 12" x 12" x 12" template at the gate through which you enter the stadium.

Invesco Field At Mile High
(credit: CBS)

No No's

-- Hard-sided containers of any size or style including hard-sided coolers or thermoses
-- Bags or containers larger than 12" x 12" x 12"
-- Alcohol
-- Glass bottles or cans
-- Non-alcoholic beverages brought into the stadium must be in approved factory sealed plastic containers only. Water bottles, sport bottles or other approved types of beverage containers that are not factory sealed must be emptied prior to entering the stadium. They may be refilled once inside at any water fountain.
-- Large golf umbrellas or umbrellas with metal tips
-- Firearms or weapons of any type
-- Designated artificial noise makers such as whistles or air horns
-- Signs or flags on sticks, regardless of the length
-- Footballs, frisbees, inflatable balls
-- Laser pointers of any type
-- Fireworks
-- Animals - with the exception of service animals for the disabled
-- Any other items(s) deemed dangerous or unacceptable by security

Invesco Field At Mile High Statue Fans
(credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)

Colorado Sports Hall Of Fame

Sports Authority Field at Mile High is home to the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. The Sports Hall of Fame is open year-round. You can see the hall of fame Thursday through Saturday (Tuesday-Saturday from June-August) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame is open 2 hours before Broncos games as well. For more information call (720) 258-3888 or visit coloradosports.org.

Mile High Stadium
The old Mile High Stadium (credit: David Cannon/Getty Images)

Denver Broncos Ring Of Fame

The Denver Broncos Ring of Fame is displayed on the upper level of Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It was created in 1984 by team owner Pat Bowlen. The ring can be seen from visitor's seats at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It honors former players and administrators who played significant roles in the franchise's history.

Invesco Field At Mile High Statue Fans
(credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/Getty Images)

Tailgating

All of the Sports Authority Field at Mile High Stadium lots encourage tailgating. Visitors are asked, however, to only occupy one parking space while tailgating. Tailgating can happen in the landscape next to your vehicle or directly behind your vehicle. A drive aisle of 14 feet must be maintained between each row of vehicles. Stalls, walkways, aisles, tents, trailers chairs and coolers may not be blocked outside of the stall your vehicle occupies.

Team Store

If you're looking for Broncos gear, the Denver Broncos Team Store is located on the South side of Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It's between Gates 9 and 10 and is open year-round from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. through the conclusion of the game on game days. Call (720) 258-3300 for more information. Broncos merchandise may also be purchased online at Team Store.

Denver Outlaws

In addition to the Broncos, the Denver Outlaws lacrosse team plays at Sports Authority Field from May through July each year. Single game tickets for the Outlaws are available through Ticketmaster and the Sports Authority Field at Mile High box office. For all season and group ticket inquires call (303) OUTLAWS. Tickets start as low as $10.

Link: Visit sportsauthorityfieldatmilehigh.com for more information.

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