NFL Stadium Showcase: Sports Authority Field At Mile High
Sunday’s AFC Championship Game brings together the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The 76,125-capacity venue opened its doors in 2001, immediately adjacent to its predecessor, legendary Mile High Stadium. Located a short distance west of downtown Denver, the 89-acre complex sits near the intersection of I-25 and Colfax Avenue. Sports Authority Field stands 17 miles north of the Broncos’ Englewood, Colorado practice facility.
The stadium property offers 6,500 parking spots, with 12,000 more spots available nearby. In quintessential Colorado fashion, 300 bike racks are present, as well as a bicycle valet. In addition, 2 light rail stations are within walking distance to the field.
The stadium grounds feature the Ring of Fame Plaza (monuments honoring team ring of fame inductees), with a series of park-like landscapes built to represent the unique topography of the area.
The interior portion of the field is designed in a horseshoe shape and is home to 3 HD video boards, including a 220’ by 40’ board found in the horseshoe’s open south end. The famous Bucky Bronco horse statue (also known as Bucko) sits atop this massive scoreboard.
144 luxury suites and 2 United Airlines sponsored suite clubs make up some of the higher end aspects of the gameday operation.
All fans have year-round access to both the Broncos Team Store and Colorado Sports Hall of Fame Museum, located on the south and west ends of the stadium respectively.
One very unique behind the scenes feature of the venue is the “Elevation 5,280 Feet Above Sea Level” sign that welcomes visiting teams to the notoriously air challenged setting.
Denver, of course, is known as the “Mile High City.”
