By the time your group figures out that Federal Boulevard is locked at Colfax Avenue and I-25 is backed up past Exit 210, the good part of your game day is already behind you. That's the Empower Field at Mile High reality on any Sunday afternoon in September — and it sharpens fast on a primetime night when 76,000 fans are all running the same calculation at the same time. The question isn't whether traffic will be bad.
It's whether your group will be stuck in it, or on a bus heading back to LoDo while the parking lot is still half-full.
This guide covers exactly how group transportation works at Empower Field at Mile High (1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204) — where a charter bus or party bus drops off, where oversized vehicles park, what the post-game rideshare pickup situation actually looks like, and which vehicle fits a group your size. Partybusdenvercolorado.com makes it easy to compare Denver charter bus and party bus options and pull a quote in under 30 seconds — no account needed, no obligation. Call 970-658-4320 or use the online form to get started, and read on for the operational truth about one of the most-visited venues in Colorado.
Why Rent a Charter Bus or Party Bus to Empower Field at Mile High?
One bus replaces the whole parking-lot scramble — and at Empower Field, that scramble is real. On-site parking starts at $45 for the carpool lot and $55 for the early tailgating lot, and the official Broncos gameday parking page is direct about it: most lots sell out within two hours of opening. Pre-purchased permits come through Ticketmaster, and they run out well before game day on any high-demand date.
Without one, your group circles off-site lots or pays SpotHero premium pricing for whatever's left within walking distance.
Then there's the rideshare situation after the game. Uber and Lyft drop off near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle — straightforward on the way in. On the way out, post-game rideshare pickup moves to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at the corner of 5th and Walnut Street, an estimated 15-minute walk east of the stadium.
After three or four hours on your feet in Denver's mile-high air, with tired legs and — come November or December — Colorado cold, that walk to a surge-priced ride is exactly the moment a charter bus proves its worth. Your group walks out of the gate, boards the bus, and heads out while everyone else is still waiting for an app to find them a car. A Denver sporting event party bus rental eliminates every one of those steps.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Empower Field at Mile High
The stadium's published vehicle drop-off point — including taxis and rideshare — is the northeast corner of the stadium near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle, per the official fan guide. A taxi stand sits on Bryant Street outside the Gate 5 area; Bryant Street runs directly along the stadium's east face, putting any curbside vehicle steps from Gate 5 and the main pedestrian entrances. A charter bus or party bus uses this same approach on the way in: your group unloads near the gate and walks straight through, while the bus stages in the designated oversized-vehicle area until you need it again.
For specific events, the flow on Bryant Street and Mile High Stadium Circle can shift with the event-day traffic plan. That's why confirming the current drop point and staging arrangement when you book is the smart move — not something to sort out at a closed curbside on game day. Always review the official Empower Field directions and parking page before your event for the most current guidance.
Charter Bus Parking at Empower Field — Lot B and the South Lot
Lot B (the South Lot) is the designated oversized-vehicle parking area, situated directly south of the stadium. This is where RVs and charter-sized buses are directed for event-day parking — the stadium's published RV rate runs $75 per game in this lot. For a full-size charter bus or minibus, the same lot is the logical staging area while your group is inside.
All game-day parking at Empower Field is credit card only — no cash accepted at any gate. Permits not pre-purchased through Ticketmaster must be paid by card at entry, and the official Broncos parking page notes that lots regularly sell out within two hours of opening. Securing oversized-vehicle parking in advance as part of your booking — not at a gate that may already be closed — is the right call.
Post-game rideshare pickup is at the Ball Arena lot on 5th and Walnut — an estimated 15-minute walk east of the stadium. After a full game at 5,280 feet, in Colorado weather that can drop below freezing by November, that walk to a surge-priced car is the single sharpest argument for a charter bus: it stages nearby and it's right there when your group walks out the gate.
Empower Field Transportation Compared: Every Option on the Table
Denver genuinely has better transit access to this stadium than most NFL cities — that's worth saying honestly, because it changes the math at different group sizes. Here is how each option actually stacks up for someone planning a real group trip to Empower Field.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off point | Post-game pickup | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charter bus or party bus rental | One flat rate, split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Gate 5 / Bryant Street area, steps from entrances | Best — staged nearby, ready when you walk out | 15–56 |
| RTD Light Rail (E/W lines) | ~$2.75/person each way | Only if on the same train | Good — 8-minute walk from station to gates | Good, but post-game crowding is heavy at the platform | Any, but no group control |
| Denver Trolley (Platte Valley Football Shuttle) | $10 roundtrip / $7 one-way | Only if on the same run | Good — Broncos Bridge stop near the stadium | Good, but limited capacity and set schedule | Small groups only |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle | Ball Arena lot, 5th & Walnut, ~15-min walk | 1–4 per car |
| Drive & park | $45–$55/car pre-purchased, plus gas | No — caravans split at every lot | Varies by lot assignment | Long wait while the lot clears | 1–2 cars |
For one or two people staying in LoDo, the light rail is genuinely the smartest call — a 4-minute ride from Union Station for under $3 is hard to argue with. But the moment your group grows past two or three carloads, the coordination cost of separate vehicles — different arrival times, multiple permits that must be pre-purchased, and a 15-minute post-game walk to rideshare pickup — tips decisively toward one bus. That's the group the rest of this guide is written for.
RTD Light Rail and the Denver Trolley to Empower Field
RTD Light Rail: The Empower Field at Mile High Station sits on the E and W lines — and from Union Station, the ride is just 4 minutes. For game days, RTD adds extra C line trains, though the Greater Denver Transit stadium guide notes those additional trains don't always appear in journey planners, so build extra platform time for boarding. One critical note: Auraria West Station is frequently closed during large events for crowd management.
If your group's transit plan depends on connecting there, have a backup route in mind before you leave.
Denver Trolley Football Shuttle: The Platte Valley Trolley runs a Football Shuttle from Confluence Park (near the REI flagship store) to the Broncos Bridge stop near the stadium, with service starting two hours before kickoff. Roundtrip fares run $10; one-way is $7. It's a pleasant option if your group is based near downtown Denver and wants to skip the parking entirely — but capacity is limited, and it runs on a set schedule, so it doesn't flex around your tailgate timeline the way a private bus does.
Denver International Airport to Empower Field at Mile High Charter Bus
DEN sits 24 miles from the stadium — about 37 minutes in light traffic, and easily 60 to 90 minutes on a game day when I-70 West and I-25 South are both loaded. For groups flying in from out of town, a direct charter bus or minibus rental from the terminal is cleaner than every alternative: no RTD A Line to Union Station (37 minutes, around $10), no E or W line transfer, no figuring out which rideshare lane is which at baggage claim, and no splitting a group of 20 across five different cars. One bus gathers your group at arrivals and runs them straight to the stadium — or to the hotel first, if there's time.
See the Denver airport shuttle guide for more on the DEN run, or Denver airport transportation page for the full range of airport-to-city options.
For the Christmas Day Bills game, the Chiefs rivalry match in November, or any stadium-scale concert, flying-in groups face the added complication that DEN-to-stadium transit takes 75–90 minutes through the RTD connection — two trains, one transfer at Union Station, and no flexibility if someone's flight is late. A charter bus that can track inbound flights and adjust pickup timing is a fundamentally different kind of solution. Call 970-658-4320 to discuss multi-flight coordination and stadium-direct runs.
What Size Bus Does Your Group Need for Empower Field?
The right vehicle comes down to your headcount and what your group needs from the ride — some groups want the rolling pregame experience, others just need efficient transport for a large corporate outing. Partybusdenvercolorado.com connects you to a range of vehicle types through a large network of bus companies serving Denver, so you're not limited to one fleet's availability.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Gear storage | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14-passenger Sprinter limo / Sprinter van | Up to 14 | Modest — bags, smaller coolers | VIP groups, suite holders, executive outings | Premium leather, individual reading lights, USB charging, tinted windows |
| Party bus (25 to 40 passengers) | 15–50 | Onboard, lighter gear | Fan groups wanting a pregame atmosphere on the way there | Color-changing LED lighting, premium sound system, flat-panel TVs, perimeter seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead plus some underfloor | Mid-size groups, corporate outings, airport-to-stadium runs | Plush reclining seats, powerful A/C, overhead storage bins |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large fan groups, multi-stop itineraries, groups hauling tailgate gear | Reclining seats, climate control, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage bays |
For groups hauling real tailgate gear — folding chairs, a grill, a large cooler — a full-size charter bus puts all of it in the undercarriage bays on the way in and back out on the way home. No cramming a folding table into an SUV, no leaving the grill behind because it won't fit. For mid-size groups that want the pregame energy from pickup to Gate 5, a 25- to 40-passenger party bus with LED lighting and a sound system is the natural fit.
ADA-accessible vehicles are available through the network — note it when requesting your quote. Browse the full vehicle lineup or call 970-658-4320 any time to talk through your headcount.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Rental Prices for Empower Field at Mile High
Partybusdenvercolorado.com shows online quotes in under 30 seconds — no account required. What shapes the price on a Denver charter bus or party bus rental to Empower Field is clear: vehicle size, total hours (tailgate time plus the game plus post-game staging), the event date, and pickup mileage from the stadium. A regular-season September Sunday prices differently than the Christmas Day Bills game or the week of AC/DC in July, when demand across the Denver network runs high.
To give you an idea of planning ranges: a minibus rental runs roughly $200–$250 per hour on weekdays and $200–$275 per hour on weekends; a 40-passenger party bus runs approximately $300–$350 per hour on weekdays and $325–$500 per hour on weekends; a full 56-seat charter bus comes in around $200–$350 per hour on either day. The real quote for your specific trip — your date, your headcount, your pickup point — comes from the quick form or a call to 970-658-4320. See the Denver party bus prices page for more on what drives those numbers.
Once you split the cost of one bus across 30, 40, or 56 people, the per-head math tends to surprise groups. Compare that figure to: 10 cars at $55 each for Lot C ($550 total), each car with at least one person who can't have a drink at the tailgate because they're driving home. One bus, one permit at the South Lot, one flat rate split by the full headcount — simpler on every front.
A Game-Day Example
To give you an idea: a 34-person group books a 40-passenger party bus for the Chiefs game on November 1. Pickup at 12:30 PM from a LoDo hotel, at the Gate 5 / Bryant Street drop by 1:15 PM — nearly three hours before a 4:05 PM kickoff, with time to set up in Lot C. The bus stages at the South Lot during the game and picks the group up at 7:30 PM after the final whistle. A 7-hour weekend rental at that size might run $2,275–$3,500 — roughly $67–$103 per person, depending on where the hourly rate lands for that date — with the parking headache, the post-game rideshare walk, and the designated-driver question all removed from the equation.
Getting to Empower Field at Mile High: Routes, Traffic & Timing
The stadium sits just west of downtown Denver — close enough that it looks simple on a map, far enough from the highway that game-day traffic stacks up badly on the surface streets between I-25 and the gates. The primary approach from I-25 is Exit 210B for Colfax Avenue West, then south on Federal Boulevard. From I-70, merge onto I-25 South and follow the same exit.
The stadium's lot-specific directions page has turn-by-turn guidance and Waze links for each individual lot, which is useful because each lot has a slightly different entry street.
| From… | Approx. distance | Light traffic | Game-day estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| LoDo / Union Station | ~2 miles | 5–10 min | 20–40 min |
| Cherry Creek / Cap Hill | ~4 miles | 10–15 min | 25–45 min |
| Denver Tech Center (DTC) | ~12 miles | 20–25 min | 40–60 min |
| Aurora / I-225 corridor | ~17 miles | 25–35 min | 45–70 min |
| Boulder | ~30 miles | 40–50 min | 65–90 min |
| Denver International Airport (DEN) | ~24 miles | 37–45 min | 60–90 min |
The game-day numbers assume Federal Boulevard and Colfax Avenue are running the way they usually do near kickoff — which is bumper-to-bumper. Both corridors funnel toward the stadium from the east and north through heavily trafficked residential neighborhoods, and there's no quick bypass. The stadium recommends arriving 90 minutes to two hours before kickoff for general fans, and Lot C opens six hours out for those who want the full tailgate — but Lot C sells out within 30 to 60 minutes of opening on most game days.
On a bus, the approach is handled for you, your group is in the lot on time, and nobody is circling off-site trying to find a last-minute space.
Tailgating at Empower Field at Mile High: What the Rules Actually Say
Empower Field tailgating is legitimately one of the better setups in the NFL — and a charter bus with deep undercarriage bays is the practical way to haul the gear. Load the grill, the chairs, and the cooler into the bays on the way in; everything is right there when you pull in. The stadium enforces real rules, and knowing them keeps your group out of trouble from the moment you park:
- One permit equals one space for one vehicle. Tailgating is permitted in the space directly behind or in front of your vehicle only. You get one parking spot — no holding adjacent spaces, no overflow setups across the aisle. If the whole group wants to tailgate together, they need to arrive in the same vehicle or in adjacent pre-purchased spaces.
- Keep the drive aisles and fire lanes clear. Sixteen-foot drive aisles must stay open at all times for emergency vehicle access. Chairs, coolers, and grills that spill into the aisle will be moved — or the setup will be shut down by lot staff.
- Grills are permitted; open fires are not. Gas and charcoal grills are allowed within your space. Open fires, bonfires, and pit fires are prohibited. Once grilling is done, coals must be bagged and disposed of properly — not dumped on the asphalt.
- Start breaking down 60 minutes before kickoff. All tailgate setups must begin coming down one hour before the game. This is the posted stadium policy, not a loose suggestion from lot attendants — plan your tailgate timeline with the breakdown built in.
- Not every section allows it. For Broncos games specifically, tailgating is not allowed in the B-Valet section or the carpool section of Lot A. If your group is in Lot A for the 4+ passenger pricing, no tailgate setup.
- Lot C is the tailgate lot. At $55 per space and opening 6 hours before kickoff, Lot C is where fans go for the full pregame experience. Expect it to sell out within 30–60 minutes of opening. If Lot C is the plan, the permit needs to be pre-purchased well before game day.
Check the official Broncos gameday parking page before your event — the tailgate rules for concerts and non-Broncos events sometimes differ from the NFL-day setup, so what's allowed for your specific date is worth confirming in advance.
What's Happening at Empower Field at Mile High in 2026
The stadium runs a full year-round calendar — Denver Broncos football from August through January and stadium-scale concerts through the summer. The events driving the most group transportation requests in 2026:
- Denver Broncos 2026 home season. The preseason opens at home against the Green Bay Packers on August 21 and continues with the Minnesota Vikings on August 28. Regular-season home games include the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 20, the Los Angeles Rams on September 27 (Sunday Night Football), the Kansas City Chiefs on November 1, the Las Vegas Raiders on November 22, the Miami Dolphins on December 6, and the Buffalo Bills on December 25 — the franchise's first-ever Christmas Day home game, streaming on Netflix — with the Los Angeles Chargers closing out the regular season in early January (exact date to be set once the NFL finalizes Week 18). The Chiefs game and the Christmas Day Bills game are the two highest-demand dates; book as soon as those tickets are confirmed.
- Usher + Chris Brown — June 26, 2026. Stadium-scale show; summer concert parking fills the South Lot early, and Federal Boulevard gets as congested on big concert nights as it does on Broncos Sundays.
- Ed Sheeran — July 4, 2026. A stadium concert on Independence Day means I-25, Federal Boulevard, and Colfax are navigating both the show and the holiday traffic simultaneously. Rideshare surge pricing on July 4 evening is near-certain.
- AC/DC — July 28, 2026. A major stadium rock show that fills Lot C before gates open. Groups driving separately will find on-site permits long gone; off-site lots are the fallback, with longer walks.
- Zach Bryan — August 13 & 14, 2026. Two consecutive nights at the stadium. Groups attending both evenings need separate transportation arrangements for each date — availability from the Denver network is shared across both nights, so book both at once.
For concerts especially, the post-show rideshare surge can be severe — 60,000 people exiting at the same time, all opening the same apps. A party bus or charter bus for a Denver concert means your group has a staged pickup ready right when the show ends, not an hour later when the surge settles back down. See the Denver concert party bus rental page for more on how the concert-night run works.
For any of the high-demand dates above, book as soon as your date is confirmed — the right-size vehicles from the Denver network go first on sold-out event nights. Check the official Empower Field event calendar for the full 2026 lineup and ticket information.
Before You Go: What Every Group Should Know
A few things that trip up first-time visitors at Empower Field at Mile High, straight from the stadium's own policies:
- Permits must be pre-purchased. The official Broncos parking page states that on-site permits are expected to sell out, and most lots fill within two hours of opening. Don't plan on buying at the gate — for Lot C especially, pre-purchase is the only reliable option. The same principle applies to any oversized-vehicle permit: confirm and purchase in advance as part of your booking rather than at a gate that's already closed.
- All parking is cashless. Credit or debit card only at every lot on game days. No workaround for this one.
- The clear-bag policy is enforced at every entrance. Per the official Empower Field clear-bag policy page, each fan may bring one clear bag up to 12" x 6" x 12" (or a one-gallon clear Ziploc), plus one small non-clear bag no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Backpacks, tinted bags, purses, and oversized totes are prohibited. Lockers are available outside Gate 8 near the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame for non-compliant bags at a fee — better to know about them in advance than to get turned away at the gate.
- Empty plastic water bottles (up to 34 oz) are allowed; stainless steel is not. Bring the plastic, leave the Yeti in the bus.
- General gates open 2 hours before kickoff; club-level gates open 3 hours out. Most lots open 4.5 hours before kickoff; Lot C opens 6 hours out. Build your arrival time around which lot you're in.
- Auraria West Station is frequently closed during large events for crowd management — if your transit plan connects there, confirm RTD's event-day service before you leave.
- Stadium contact: 1701 Bryant Street, Denver, CO 80204 | 720-258-3000 for guest services if anyone in your group gets separated inside.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Empower Field at Mile High?
The stadium's published vehicle drop-off point is the northeast corner near Gate 5 on Mile High Stadium Circle, with the taxi stand on Bryant Street outside Gate 5 on the east face of the venue. A charter bus or party bus uses this same curbside zone: Bryant Street puts your group steps from Gate 5 and the main pedestrian entrances. Because the event-day traffic plan can shift the flow on Bryant Street and the surrounding roads, the specific drop point and any approach-road changes for your date are confirmed when you book.
Review the official directions and parking page before your event for current guidance.
Where do charter buses and oversized vehicles park at Empower Field?
Lot B (the South Lot) is the designated oversized-vehicle area, directly south of the stadium. RV parking runs $75 per game; charter buses use the same lot. All game-day parking is cashless, and permits sell out — secure your oversized-vehicle space in advance as part of booking rather than at a gate that may already be closed.
Where does rideshare pickup happen after the game?
Post-game rideshare pickup is at the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at the corner of 5th and Walnut Street — an estimated 15-minute walk east of the stadium. After a full game at 5,280 feet, when surge pricing is running and 76,000 people are all trying to leave at once, that walk is the most frustrating part of the Uber/Lyft option at this venue. A charter bus or party bus stages nearby during the game and is right there when your group walks out.
How much does parking cost at Empower Field at Mile High?
On-site game-day parking starts at $45 for the Lot A carpool section (4+ passengers per vehicle, no tailgating) and $55 for Lot C (early tailgating, opens 6 hours before kickoff). ADA accessible spaces run $35 in Lot L or $40 in Lots D or G. Oversized vehicle/RV parking in the South Lot runs $75. All permits are credit card only and must be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster for most lots; the official page notes that lots typically sell out within two hours of opening.
Check the official Broncos gameday parking page for current pricing and permit availability.
How do I get to Empower Field from Denver International Airport?
DEN is 24 miles from the stadium — about 37 minutes in light traffic and 60–90 minutes on a game day when I-70 West and I-25 South are both loaded. By RTD: the A Line commuter rail runs from DEN to Union Station in 37 minutes (around $10), then the E or W line is a 4-minute ride to the Empower Field station — total transit time is roughly 75–90 minutes with the transfer. For a group traveling with luggage from a flight, one charter bus from the terminal to the stadium skips both trains, the transfer at Union Station, and the coordination challenge entirely.
The Denver airport shuttle guide covers the DEN run in detail.
What is the clear-bag policy at Empower Field at Mile High?
One clear bag up to 12" x 6" x 12" (or a one-gallon clear Ziploc) per person, plus one small non-clear bag no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Backpacks, tinted bags, purses, and oversized totes are prohibited at all gates. Lockers are available outside Gate 8 near the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame for non-compliant bags at a fee.
Empty plastic water bottles up to 34 oz are permitted; stainless steel bottles are not. Full details on the official Empower Field clear-bag policy page.
Can I tailgate at Empower Field with a charter bus group?
Yes, in most lots — including Lot C. Grills are permitted, but your setup must stay in the space directly behind or in front of your vehicle; you get one parking space, and all setups must break down 60 minutes before kickoff. Drive aisles must stay clear at all times. Tailgating is not permitted in the B-Valet section or Lot A's carpool area for Broncos games.
For concerts and other events, the tailgate rules sometimes differ from the NFL-day setup — confirm what's allowed for your specific event when you book.
How far in advance should I book a bus to Empower Field?
For high-demand dates — the Chiefs game on November 1, the Christmas Day Bills game on December 25, or any of the summer stadium concerts — book as soon as your date is confirmed. The right-size vehicles from the Denver network go first on sold-out event nights, and for the Christmas Day game in particular, holiday travel adds demand across the board. For most regular-season games and lower-demand concert dates, two to four weeks of lead time is workable.
Earlier always means better options and better pricing. Call 970-658-4320 to check availability for your date.
What about the RTD light rail for a large group?
The Empower Field at Mile High Station is on the RTD E and W lines — 4 minutes from Union Station, with a short walk to the gates. For small groups and individuals based in downtown Denver, it's the most efficient option and genuinely worth using. For larger groups — especially those traveling from out of town, coordinating across multiple flights, or wanting to tailgate and stay together all day — the one-transfer connection from DEN and the lack of group flexibility make a private bus the cleaner answer.
Check the Greater Denver Transit Empower Field guide for current RTD schedules and event-day service notes.
What other Denver venues can use the same group bus service?
The same network covers the full Denver venue circuit. If your visit includes a game or show at Ball Arena — where post-game rideshare pickup is actually at the same Ball Arena lot that Empower Field fans walk to — a private bus is even more of an obvious move. Multi-stop itineraries (hotel → tailgate lot → stadium → post-game dinner) are straightforward to arrange.
The Denver group transportation services page covers multi-stop and recurring shuttle setups.
Book Your Empower Field at Mile High Bus Today
Whether it's a Broncos home opener in September, the Chiefs rivalry game in November, the franchise's first-ever Christmas Day home game against the Bills in December cold, or a stadium-scale summer concert on Federal Boulevard — Partybusdenvercolorado.com makes it easy to compare Denver charter bus and party bus options and get pricing in seconds. Your group's job on game day is to enjoy it. The I-25 crawl, the parking-permit scramble, and the 15-minute post-game walk to the Ball Arena rideshare lot are all somebody else's problem when there's a bus waiting.
Fill out the quick quote form to compare vehicle types and pricing from a large network of bus companies serving Denver — or call 970-658-4320 any time, any day, to talk through your headcount, your pickup point, and your event date. No account needed, no obligation, and pricing comes back in under 30 seconds.
