Anyone who has crept north on I-25 toward Empower Field at Mile High during a Denver Broncos home game already knows the script. The on-site lots start filling the moment they open — Lot C alone can sell out within the first hour at $55 a space — and when 76,000 fans pour out after the final whistle, the lots don't clear for another 45 to 75 minutes. Meanwhile, rideshare pickups require a 15-minute walk east across the Broncos Bridge to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at 5th and Walnut.
The question every first-timer asks right before kickoff: why didn't we just rent a bus?
This guide answers the questions that actually shape your group's game-day plan — where does a commercial vehicle drop off at Empower Field, where does it stage during the game, what happens to parking costs when you compare cars to one bus, and how does the post-game exit actually work for a group of 30. Everything here is built from the stadium's own published policies and verified transit data. Partybusrentaldenver.net connects your group to a large network of bus companies serving Denver — a quick form or a call to 983-587-6420 gets you pricing in under 30 seconds, with no account required.
Why Your Group Should Rent a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
One bus replaces the entire game-day scramble. At Empower Field, Lot A requires four or more occupants per vehicle at $45 a space, Lot C costs $55 and routinely sells out within the first hour of opening, and the general lots in between still require pre-purchased passes — because the official Broncos gameday parking page is direct about it: on-site stadium parking is limited and permits are expected to sell out. That's a lot of pre-planning, per-car cost, and post-game waiting spread across your entire group.
A Denver charter bus changes the math entirely. One vehicle handles 15 to 56 people, one pickup, and one drop-off — instead of four, five, or seven separate cars each hunting a pre-purchased pass and then sitting in the same 45-to-75-minute exit crawl afterward. Everyone arrives together, the pregame energy builds on the ride up, and the post-game logistics are already handled.
No one in your group draws the short straw on driving. That's not a marketing claim — it's the arithmetic of Empower Field's parking situation.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Empower Field at Mile High
The stadium's published guidance for commercial vehicle drop-off places rideshare and taxi zones at the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle, per the official Broncos parking page. That is the documented commercial vehicle drop zone closest to the stadium entrance, putting your group steps from the gates rather than in a remote lot. Because the stadium does not publish a separate charter bus staging map — and approach routes can shift by event — the exact drop point and any bus parking arrangements for your specific game date are confirmed when you book through the network.
The approach from I-25 northbound is Exit 210B (17th Avenue), which feeds directly toward the stadium's east side. From I-25 southbound, exit at Colfax Avenue and follow Federal Boulevard north toward the stadium. Mile High Stadium Circle loops around the stadium's north and east sides and is the primary commercial vehicle approach — but on major game days, police direct traffic flow and some streets around the perimeter are restricted, so following real-time direction from stadium staff on arrival matters more than any fixed turn-by-turn.
The drop-off at the NE corner near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle puts your group at the stadium entrance — not at the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot, 15 minutes east on foot. That single difference is the core case for renting a bus to Empower Field at Mile High.
Post-game pickup works the same way: your group agrees on a clear window and meeting point before they split for their seats, the bus stages nearby, and it's right there when everyone walks out — no surge pricing, no regrouping across the Broncos Bridge. Because exit lots clear slowly (45 to 75 minutes is the documented window), building a realistic post-game buffer into your booking keeps the group from standing around waiting.
Empower Field at Mile High Parking: What Your Group Is Working Against
The stadium has approximately 6,500 on-site parking spaces and 15,000+ off-site spaces spread across Ball Arena, Auraria Campus, the Denver Aquarium, and Riverside Church — but on-site availability is tight and pre-purchased passes go fast, per the official gameday parking page. Empower Field is a cashless facility, so credit card or pre-purchased permit is the only way in — there are no cash lanes, and reverse ATMs are spread throughout the stadium for guests who need to convert.
Lot C is the early tailgating lot, opens six hours before kickoff, and costs $55 per space — but it typically sells out within the first 30 to 60 minutes of opening, so arriving early doesn't guarantee a spot if you haven't pre-purchased. Lot A is the carpool section at $45 per space, requires four or more occupants per vehicle, and does not permit tailgating. ADA-accessible parking is available in Lots L, D, and G at $35 to $40, on a first-come, first-served basis with a valid state-issued placard.
Review the lot-specific directions page and current parking maps before game day to confirm your lot assignment and approach route.
After the game, all of those parked cars leave at the same time. The stadium's own transportation resources document the reality plainly: expect 45 to 75 minutes to clear the lots after a game ends. One bus sidesteps the entire exit queue — it stages during the game, picks your group up at an arranged door, and takes the fastest cleared route back toward I-25 while everyone else is still sitting in Lot C.
Empower Field at Mile High Transportation: Every Option Compared
This is a bus comparison website, but let's be honest: a private bus isn't the automatic right call for every group. Here's a straightforward look at how your options actually stack up for a group trip to Empower Field at Mile High.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Door-to-door? | Post-game pickup | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private charter bus or party bus | One flat rate, split by the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — NE corner near Gate 5, steps from entrance | Stages nearby; picks up at the door | 15–56 |
| RTD Light Rail (E or W Line) | Per ticket; day passes ~$10–$12 | Only if booked on the same train | Good — Empower Field Station is adjacent to the stadium | Long post-game queues on platform | Any, but no group control |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, separate ETAs | Drop-off at Gate 5 area; pickup at Ball Arena (~15-min walk) | Surge pricing; long wait at Ball Arena lot | 1–4 per car |
| Everyone drives and parks | $45–$55 per car + gas per car | No — caravans split up | Depends on lot assignment | 45–75 minutes to exit lots | 1–2 cars |
For one or two people, the RTD E or W Line from Union Station is the fastest and cheapest call — four minutes to the stadium, no parking cost, and no post-game lot crawl. The moment your group grows past two or three cars' worth of people, though, the coordination cost of separate vehicles — different arrival times, scattered lots, multiple fares on the way home, and the designated-driver math — tips decisively toward one bus.
A 56-seat charter bus replaces roughly 14 cars. That's 14 pre-purchased parking passes at $45–$55 each — between $630 and $770 in parking alone — plus gas per vehicle and a 45-to-75-minute exit wait per car. One bus, one permit, one flat rate split across the whole group.
The per-head number usually comes out ahead of driving once you're past a handful of cars.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for Empower Field at Mile High?
The right vehicle depends on two things: your headcount and how much tailgate gear you're hauling. Partybusrentaldenver.net connects your group to a wide range of vehicles through a large network of bus companies serving Denver, so you're never paying for seats you don't need. Here's how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for an Empower Field run.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Storage | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van or 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to ~14 | Moderate — gear bags and coolers | Suite holders, small VIP groups, executive groups | Premium leather, USB charging, tinted windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | ~15–50 | Onboard, lighter loads | Fan groups wanting the rolling pregame energy | Color-changing LED lighting, premium Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, wraparound seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | ~15–35 | Overhead bins, some underfloor | Mid-size groups, corporate outings, wedding-weekend-style fan trips | Powerful A/C, plush reclining seats, greater maneuverability on city streets |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, tailgate-heavy groups, out-of-town groups with luggage | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead storage, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restrooms, undercarriage bays |
For fan groups that want to keep the energy going from the pickup point to the gates, a 15- to 50-passenger party bus comes with a full-length bar setup, LED lighting, and a premium sound system. For larger groups hauling coolers, camp chairs, and tailgate gear, a full-size charter bus is the right call — the undercarriage bays hold everything, and the onboard restroom handles the long ride home from a night game. ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network; just note the need when you request your quote.
Empower Field at Mile High Party Bus & Charter Bus Rental Prices
Rental rates vary based on your vehicle size, total hours (including pregame wait and post-game staging time), your pickup location, and the specific game or event date. Denver party bus and charter bus prices generally follow these planning ranges: a 15-35 passenger minibus runs roughly $200–$275 per hour, while a 40- to 56-passenger charter bus typically falls in the $200–$350 per hour range. Larger party buses — say a 40- to 50-passenger option — can run from $300 to $500 per hour on weekend event nights.
Those are planning ranges to give you an idea; the actual quote moves with the date, group size, hours, and specific vehicle. The fastest way to get your number: fill out the quick online form or call 983-587-6420 — pricing for your trip comes back in under 30 seconds.
To give you an idea of how the per-person math works: for a Sunday afternoon Broncos game, a 38-person fan group books a 40-passenger party bus. Pickup at 11:00 AM from LoDo, at the stadium's NE corner drop-off by noon — four hours before a 4:00 PM kickoff. The bus stages while the group tailgates and watches the game, then picks everyone up at an arranged gate at roughly 8:00 PM.
A 9-hour rental at that vehicle size might come to around $2,700–$3,150 total — roughly $71–$83 per person — with parking, the exit crawl, and the designated-driver question all solved in one number. Compare that to $45–$55 per car in parking alone, before gas, before the rideshare home from a night game.
Getting to Empower Field at Mile High: Routes, Traffic & Timing
Empower Field at Mile High sits just west of downtown Denver at 1701 Bryant Street, sandwiched between I-25 to the east and Federal Boulevard to the west. That location sounds convenient — and it is — until 76,000 people try to reach the same two-square-mile area at once. Here are the documented distances and off-peak drive times from common Denver-area origins:
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical drive time (off-peak) |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Denver / LoDo | ~1–2 miles | 5–10 minutes |
| Cherry Creek / Capitol Hill | ~3 miles | 10–15 minutes |
| Denver Tech Center (DTC) | ~12 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | ~26 miles | 32–45 minutes |
| Aurora / Lakewood | ~10–15 miles | 20–30 minutes |
| Boulder | ~30 miles | 45–60 minutes |
Those times swell significantly on game day. The primary approach from the north is I-25 southbound to Exit 210B (17th Avenue). From the south, exit at Colfax Avenue and follow Federal Boulevard north to the stadium approach — Dick Connor Avenue and Mile High Stadium Circle are the final legs.
From the airport, the route is I-70 west to I-25 south, then follow the southbound directions. I-25 in both directions routinely backs up beginning 90 minutes to two hours before kickoff on divisional games and primetime dates, and stadium transportation guidance recommends arriving 90 minutes to two hours early — plus an additional 20 to 30 minutes for high-demand matchups.
RTD Light Rail and What It Means for Your Group
The RTD E and W Lines serve Empower Field at Mile High Station directly — the station sits adjacent to the stadium, and the ride from Union Station takes about four minutes. RTD adds train cars to regularly scheduled service on game days. Day passes run approximately $10–$12 and cover unlimited trips.
It's a genuine option for small groups, and it sidesteps the I-25 crawl entirely. The catch: you can't control who's in your group's car, platform queues get long post-game, and nobody's tailgating on the train. Auraria West Station is also closed during stadium events for crowd management, so plan your route around that.
Beyond RTD light rail, gameday transit options can shift from season to season, so it's worth checking the RTD website or the stadium's official gameday parking page for any current shuttle or transit service before you go — availability and stops aren't guaranteed to stay the same year to year.
For a group of 15 or more who want to arrive together and leave together, none of the transit options — rail or rideshare — actually solve the coordination problem. RTD splits your group across multiple cars unless everyone arrives at Union Station at the same time. Rideshares fragment the group and then charge surge to reunite everyone post-game near the Ball Arena lot.
A Denver party bus rental is the only option that picks everyone up at one door, drops them at one entrance, and picks them up again when the final whistle blows.
After the Final Whistle: Getting Out of Empower Field at Mile High
The post-game exit at Empower Field is where the transportation plan either holds or falls apart. When 76,000 fans leave at once, the lots empty slowly — documented exit times run 45 to 75 minutes from the lots, and rideshare surge pricing kicks in almost immediately. Fans relying on Uber or Lyft face that 15-minute walk east across the Broncos Bridge to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at 5th and Walnut Street — after a cold December game or a three-overtime thriller, that walk is not the ending anyone planned.
The RTD light rail platform at Empower Field Station crowds heavily post-game, with queues that can stretch well down the platform before trains arrive.
With a charter bus or party bus, the exit plan is set before your group ever reaches their seats. The bus stages in a nearby area during the game, your group agrees on a meeting point and pickup time before splitting up, and the bus is ready when you walk out — no surge fare, no long walk, no platform crowd. The group climbs aboard, the post-game recap starts, and the bus takes the fastest cleared route back toward I-25 while everyone else is still sitting in the lot.
It's the single part of the Empower Field trip where the bus earns its keep most decisively.
Tailgating at Empower Field at Mile High
Lot C is the stadium's designated early tailgating lot — it opens six hours before kickoff (all other lots open 4.5 hours out) and costs $55 per space. The catch: it sells out within the first 30 to 60 minutes of opening, so showing up early without a pre-purchased permit is a gamble that usually doesn't pay off. Lot A (the carpool section) does not permit tailgating at all.
The VIP Tailgate in Lot J opens three hours before kickoff as a ticketed pre-game experience. Off-site lots at Ball Arena and Auraria Campus are available but generally don't permit tailgating.
The stadium's published tailgating guidelines set the rules clearly. One vehicle occupies one space — the space is the area directly behind your vehicle, and parking staff enforce it. Adjacent spots cannot be saved for other cars in your group, which means a group arriving in a caravan of five cars can't guarantee they'll tailgate together.
Gas and charcoal grills are permitted; open fires are not. Hot coals must be bagged and disposed of in a trash bin, not dumped on the lot. A charter bus group parks together in one spot — the whole group tails in the same footprint.
One important note for the biggest events: the full tailgate experience isn't guaranteed at every game. The stadium's cashless policy extends to parking and concessions — credit card only, no cash. Review the official Empower Field fan guide before game day for any event-specific modifications to the tailgate setup.
Tips for Your Visit to Empower Field at Mile High
- Buy parking before you leave home. On-site permits sell out, and the lot-specific directions page on the stadium website updates with each event — check it before game day and purchase through Ticketmaster in advance. There are no cash lanes, so pre-purchasing is the only reliable way to guarantee your spot.
- Follow the clear-bag policy. Each guest may bring one clear bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ — clear backpacks, gallon zip-lock bags, and clear cinch bags all qualify. A small non-clear clutch no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″ is also allowed. Oversized bags, backpacks, and non-clear bags are turned away at the gate.
- The stadium is fully cashless. Every transaction — parking, concessions, merchandise — requires a credit or debit card. Reverse ATMs (cash-to-card machines) are available on each level if you need to convert.
- Gates open two hours before kickoff for general admission; club and suite holders can enter three hours out. Mane Street, the stadium's pregame fan zone, opens three hours before kickoff.
- Budget extra time for divisional and primetime games. The stadium's own guidance recommends adding 20 to 30 minutes to your usual arrival estimate for high-demand matchups, when I-25 backs up further and lots fill faster.
- Auraria West Station is closed on event days. If you're taking the RTD light rail, use the Empower Field at Mile High Station or Decatur–Federal Station instead — Auraria West is shut down during games and large events for crowd management.
- Text 720-650-6464 to report any issues inside the stadium on game day — it's the stadium's published fan assistance line.
- ADA parking is available in Lots L, D, and G on a first-come, first-served basis at $35–$40 per space, with a valid state-issued placard or plates required. For ADA rideshare pickup accommodations, contact the stadium's ADA guest services line at 720-258-3337 ahead of game day.
What's Happening at Empower Field at Mile High in 2026
The Denver Broncos' 2026 regular-season home schedule runs from September through December, with eight home games at Empower Field. The home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars lands September 20; from there the slate includes high-demand home matchups like the Kansas City Chiefs on November 1, the Las Vegas Raiders on November 22, and a Christmas Day game against the Buffalo Bills. Primetime games and divisional matchups are consistently the fastest-selling dates — both for tickets and for transportation, since the same surge that spikes rideshare prices also pushes group bus demand up.
The earlier you lock in a bus for a Chiefs or Raiders game, the better your vehicle options and rates.
Beyond football, Empower Field draws major concert tours. The venue has hosted Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Zach Bryan in recent seasons — stadium-scale shows where the surrounding lots and I-25 exits face the same congestion as any Broncos Sunday, but with a later-night crowd that makes the rideshare surge even sharper. A Denver concert bus rental handles the drop-off and post-show pickup the same way it does for football — your group arrives together and leaves together, without anyone standing at the Ball Arena lot at midnight waiting on an Uber.
Check the official Empower Field event calendar for the current full schedule of games and concerts.
Also planning a trip to Ball Arena for an Avalanche or Nuggets game, or heading to Coors Field for a Rockies day game during a Denver sports weekend? Those guides cover their own drop-off details and parking situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Empower Field at Mile High?
The stadium's published commercial vehicle zone places rideshare and taxi drop-off at the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle, per the official Broncos parking page. That is the documented closest commercial-vehicle drop point to the main entrance. The stadium does not publish a separate charter bus staging map — approach routes can shift by event, and police management on game day affects exactly which lanes are open — so the confirmed drop point and staging location for your specific game date are worked out when you book.
How much does parking cost at Empower Field at Mile High?
Published on-site lot prices include $55 for Lot C (early tailgating, six hours before kickoff) and $45 for Lot A (carpool, four or more occupants required, no tailgating). ADA parking in Lots L, D, and G runs $35–$40. The stadium emphasizes that on-site parking is limited and permits are expected to sell out — advance purchase through Ticketmaster is the documented path.
Off-site options at Ball Arena, Auraria Campus, and other nearby lots become available about four hours before kickoff.
How do I get to Empower Field at Mile High from Denver International Airport?
DEN is approximately 26 miles northeast of Empower Field, with an off-peak drive time of about 32–45 minutes via I-70 west to I-25 south. On a game day, add 20–30 minutes minimum for I-25 congestion south of the downtown interchange. For out-of-town groups flying in, a single bus pickup at baggage claim runs the whole group to the stadium without splitting across multiple rideshares — or check out the Denver International Airport transportation guide for the full airport-to-Denver transit picture.
By RTD, the A Line from DEN connects to Union Station, where the E or W Line runs four minutes to the Empower Field at Mile High Station — but that's a 70-minute transit trip from baggage claim to the stadium, and it still doesn't keep a large group together.
Is there a train or subway to Empower Field at Mile High?
Yes — the RTD E and W Lines serve Empower Field at Mile High Station directly. The station is adjacent to the stadium, and the ride from Union Station takes about four minutes. RTD adds train cars to regular service on game days.
Day passes run approximately $10–$12. It's the cleanest option for individuals or very small groups who don't need to stay together. Post-game, plan for crowded platforms and be aware that Auraria West Station closes during events — check the RTD website for current schedules and game-day service updates.
Where do rideshares pick up after a Broncos game?
Post-game rideshare pickup has moved to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at the corner of 5th and Walnut Street — approximately a 15-minute walk east of Empower Field, across the Broncos Bridge. For ADA rideshare pickup accommodations, contact the stadium's ADA guest services line at 720-258-3337. Surge pricing on Uber and Lyft routinely spikes immediately after the final whistle, especially for close games and cold-weather nights.
A charter bus or party bus stages nearby and picks your group up at the stadium door instead.
Can we tailgate at Empower Field at Mile High if we arrive by charter bus?
Tailgating is permitted in designated lots with the same rules that apply to any group: one vehicle, one space behind the vehicle, gas/charcoal grills are allowed, open fires are not. Lot C is the early tailgating lot (opens six hours before kickoff at $55, sells out fast), while Lot A does not allow tailgating. Bus groups that want to tailgate should factor in that the bus itself occupies one vehicle space — the gear comes out of the undercarriage bays and stays within that footprint.
Review the fan guide for any event-specific adjustments before game day.
What is the bag policy at Empower Field at Mile High?
Each guest may bring one clear bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ — clear backpacks, gallon zip-lock bags, and clear cinch bags all qualify — plus one small non-clear clutch no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″. Oversized bags, backpacks, and non-clear bags are not permitted. Stainless steel water bottles, glass bottles, coolers, and thermoses are all prohibited.
The full list is on the official fan guide A-Z page.
How far in advance should we book a bus to a Broncos game?
For regular-season home games, two to four weeks of lead time is workable — but the right-size vehicle for a 40-person group goes fast for high-demand matchups. For Chiefs and Raiders games, Monday Night Football dates, and any stadium-scale concert, booking at least six to eight weeks out gives you the best vehicle selection and rates. The earlier you lock in your date, the more options Partybusrentaldenver.net can surface through the network.
Call 983-587-6420 any time — pricing comes back in under 30 seconds, with no account or commitment required.
Are ADA-accessible buses available?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network. Note your needs in the quote request and the right vehicle can be arranged. At the stadium itself, ADA parking is available in Lots L, D, and G (first-come, first-served with a valid state-issued placard at $35–$40), and for ADA rideshare pickup accommodations, contact the stadium's ADA guest services line at 720-258-3337 rather than using the Ball Arena lot.
Types of Groups That Rent a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
The same door-to-door group transportation works for Empower Field no matter who's on board. The groups that request it most often through Partybusrentaldenver.net's network:
- Fan groups and tailgaters. Large-scale Denver sporting event bus rentals where the pregame starts the moment the bus pulls away — LED lighting, sound system, and everyone together from the first pickup to the last drop-off.
- Out-of-town groups flying into DEN. One bus collects the whole group at baggage claim and runs straight to the stadium or the hotel, instead of splitting across rideshares with luggage in tow. See the DEN airport shuttle guide for the full airport picture.
- Corporate and suite groups. Move clients and staff from downtown Denver hotels to a suite entrance and back without anyone worrying about parking passes or post-game lot delays. Denver corporate event transportation handles multi-stop hotel runs and executive transfers.
- Concert groups. Stadium-scale shows at Empower Field fill the same lots and create the same I-25 back-up as any Broncos Sunday — a party bus to the show handles the drop-off and midnight pickup, when surge pricing is at its worst.
- Birthday and celebration groups. A Broncos game that doubles as a milestone night out, with the group together from the first stop to the last, no one assigned as the designated driver.
For groups hitting multiple Denver venues on the same weekend — Empower Field for a Saturday game, Ball Arena for Sunday's Avalanche game, or a Friday stop at Coors Field — multi-stop itineraries are easy to set up through the Denver group transportation services page.
Book Your Party Bus or Charter Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
The right-size vehicle for your Broncos game — or your next Empower Field concert — is one quick form or phone call away. Partybusrentaldenver.net connects groups to a large network of bus companies serving Denver, with pricing that comes back online in under 30 seconds and no account required. Whether you need a 14-passenger Sprinter limo for a suite-level group, a 25-passenger party bus for a fan group rolling in from LoDo, or a 56-seat charter bus for a company outing from the Tech Center, the network has options at every size. Call 983-587-6420 any time — or use the online quote tool — to check availability for your game date.
The closer the matchup, the faster the right vehicle goes. Lock in your date and skip the parking scramble.
