If you walk into a bar in LoDo and ask for directions to Empower Field at Mile High, you might get a polite nod. But if you just say "Mile High," everyone knows exactly what you're talking about. The name of Broncos stadium has been a bit of a moving target for the last two decades. Honestly, it’s been a corporate musical chairs game that has left more than a few fans scratching their heads.
Right now, the official name is Empower Field at Mile High.
That’s the "government name," so to speak. It’s what is printed on the tickets and what the broadcasters have to say before they go to commercial. But the history of how we got here—and the fact that we might be changing it all again very soon—is a wild ride of bankruptcies, temporary placeholders, and a city that refuses to let go of its heritage.
The Corporate Identity Crisis
The Denver Broncos haven't always had a stable name on the front door. Since the original Mile High Stadium was demolished and the new one opened in 2001, the signage has changed three times. It’s kinda become a local joke.
First, it was Invesco Field at Mile High. Fans hated it. People literally protested in the streets because they didn't want a corporate brand overshadowing the "Mile High" legacy. The Denver Post even had a policy for a while where they refused to use the corporate name in their articles.
Then, 2011 rolled around and Sports Authority took over. That lasted until the company went belly-up in 2016. For a weird stretch of time, the stadium was basically nameless. The Broncos actually had to pay $3.6 million to the Metropolitan Football Stadium District just to buy the naming rights back and scrub the bankrupt company's logos off the building.
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For the 2018 season, it was simply called Broncos Stadium at Mile High. No sponsor. Just the team.
Finally, in September 2019, Empower Retirement (a Greenwood Village-based company) signed a 21-year deal. That agreement runs through 2039, meaning "Empower Field" is technically what we’re stuck with for a while. Or is it?
Why the Name Still Matters in 2026
You've probably noticed that no matter who pays the bill, "at Mile High" is always tacked onto the end. That isn't just a courtesy. It’s actually a result of massive public pressure and legislative attempts.
Back in 2016, there was actually a bill floating around the Colorado State Legislature that would have required the "Mile High" moniker to stay regardless of who bought the rights. It didn't pass, but the team got the message. They know that if they ever dropped the "Mile High" part, the fan base would probably riot.
Elevation is the Broncos' entire brand. 5,280 feet. The thin air. The "Incomplete" chant. It’s all tied to that name.
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The Burnham Yard Bombshell
Here is where things get interesting for the future. As of late 2025 and heading into 2026, the big talk in Denver isn't about the current name—it's about the next one.
The Walton-Penner ownership group has officially zeroed in on Burnham Yard as the site for a brand-new, multi-billion dollar stadium. This is a historic 100-acre rail yard just a mile or so from the current spot.
What does this mean for the name of Broncos stadium?
- The current lease at Empower Field expires in 2031.
- The new stadium is projected to be a "world-class retractable roof" facility.
- A new stadium almost certainly means a new naming rights deal that could dwarf the current one.
Basically, "Empower Field" might be the name today, but we are already looking at the sunset of this era.
Fast Facts: What You Actually Need to Know
If you're heading to a game or just settling a bet, here’s the ground truth about the venue as it stands today.
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The stadium holds exactly 76,125 people. It’s massive. More than twice the square footage of the old 1960s-era stadium, even though it only seats a few hundred more fans.
The surface is Kentucky Bluegrass, which is a point of pride for the grounds crew. A lot of NFL teams have switched to turf, but Denver sticks to the real stuff. Interestingly, they did have a fire in 2022 that damaged about 200 seats and several luxury suites, but the stadium was patched up quickly.
What Fans Get Wrong
A common misconception is that the "Mile High" name is just about the altitude. While the stadium sits exactly one mile above sea level, the name is actually a carryover from Bears Stadium, which was renamed Mile High Stadium in 1968.
People also think the team owns the stadium. They don't. The Metropolitan Football Stadium District (MFSD) owns it. The Broncos just manage it through a subsidiary. This is why the naming rights money is always such a legal headache—it has to be split and approved by a government-appointed board.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Next Visit
If you're planning to visit the current stadium before the move to Burnham Yard happens in a few years, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Light Rail: The "Empower Field at Mile High" station is on the C, E, and W lines. It's the easiest way to get there without paying $50 for parking.
- The South Stands: If you want the authentic "Mile High" experience, get tickets in the South Stands. That’s where the "mountain bolt" thunder happens—fans literally stomping on the metal floors to create a deafening roar.
- The Hall of Fame: Don't just go for the kickoff. The Ring of Fame Plaza outside the stadium features monuments to Broncos legends like John Elway and Pat Bowlen. It’s free and offers some of the best photo ops in the city.
- Clear Bag Policy: This catches people every single time. If it’s not a small clutch or a clear plastic bag, security will make you hike back to your car or pay for a locker.
The name on the sign might change every decade, but the soul of the place stays the same. Whether it’s Invesco, Sports Authority, or Empower, to the people of Colorado, it will always be Mile High.
Stay tuned to the Burnham Yard developments over the next year. The transition from a taxpayer-funded district to a privately-funded "entertainment district" is going to change the face of Denver sports forever. If you want to see the "New Mile High" as it exists now, the window is slowly closing before the 2031 shift.