Feel the roar. The energy is palpable. You are standing before Empower Field at Mile High.
This isn’t just a stadium. It’s a legacy. A testament to Denver’s passion for football. Built in 2001 it replaced the beloved Mile High Stadium. The new stadium however retained the iconic name. Many Denverites fought to preserve the Mile High moniker. They even conducted polls showing overwhelming support for keeping the name. Despite the initial naming rights deal with Invesco. The stadium has had a few names since 2001. First Invesco Field at Mile High. Then Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Finally Empower Field at Mile High.
The design is remarkable. A U-shaped bowl echoing its predecessor. But now it’s bigger better more modern. The infrastructure is extensive. Five floors of commercial space. Thousands of business seats. Luxury skyboxes add to the grandeur. The construction was a monumental undertaking a ‘design+build’ project unheard of in the NFL at the time. It cost a whopping $400.7 million. This price tag did not come without controversy. The funding deal involved the Broncos and the State of Colorado. This deal did not come without major financial repercussions for the federal government. Tax breaks involved cost the government millions in lost tax revenue.
Empower Field at Mile High has seen it all. Gridiron glory. Record-breaking crowds. Legendary concerts. Even a presidential nomination acceptance speech. Barack Obama’s 2008 speech drew over 84000 people. More than the stadium’s capacity. This is also where the South Park cast made a surprise appearance at an NFL game.
The stadium’s history is rich with anecdotes. Like the Neil Smith jersey buried during renovations. A supposed curse that didn’t work. The Broncos won another Super Bowl anyway. Or the ‘Incomplete Chant’ a tradition from the old stadium. The announcer starts the chant. The fans finish with a resounding “IN-COM-PLETE”. The stadium even has its own unique acoustic feature. The “Mile High Thunder” created by fans stamping their feet. A sound that echoes the city’s spirit.
This isn’t just a game. It’s a celebration. Of football of Denver of Colorado. A symbol of unwavering loyalty. And here at Empower Field at Mile High you are at the heart of it all. The legacy continues. The traditions endure. The roar remains.