Denver Broncos vs Green Bay Packers Preseason Parking Guide at Empower Field (2026)

Heading to Empower Field at Mile High for the 7:00 PM preseason matchup between the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers on August 21? If you don't plan ahead, you might be met with sold-out lots, a massive post-game rideshare surge, or a towed car in Jefferson Park. From scoring a $55 tailgating spot in Lot C to booking the best off-site alternatives through Prked, this guide covers everything you need to know to park stress-free.

Denver game days are legendary, but the traffic gridlock on I-25 and Federal Boulevard is equally famous. Local fans know that winging it just doesn't work here anymore. Strict carpool regulations catch unprepared drivers off guard, neighborhood towing is ruthlessly efficient, and outdated transit information still circulates online. We are breaking down the exact strategies you need to lock in a spot, skip the worst of the traffic, and actually enjoy the Friday night lights. If you want to bypass the headache right now, you can instantly reserve parking for the Broncos vs Packers preseason game to guarantee your space before you even leave the house.

How Much is Official Parking at Empower Field? (Rates & Opening Times)

You want to know exactly what it costs and when you can get in. How much is parking at Empower Field at Mile High? For the 2026 season, official on-site stadium parking rates range from $35 to $55 depending on the specific lot and your vehicle’s passenger count.

If you are looking up the Empower Field parking rates 2026, you need to understand that the stadium has completely transformed how it handles payments and entry. Empower Field at Mile High is a strictly 100% cashless facility. If you roll up to the gates waving a crisp fifty-dollar bill, you will be turned away. The official lots accept credit cards and contactless payments only.

So, what time do parking lots open at Empower Field for 7pm game? Standard official stadium lots open exactly 4.5 hours prior to kickoff. For this Friday night preseason game, that means the standard lots will open their gates at 2:30 PM.

The biggest trap for visiting Packers fans and out-of-practice locals is the Denver Broncos carpool parking Lot A rules. Lot A is situated very close to the stadium and costs a discounted $45. However, you must have strictly 4 or more passengers in the vehicle to enter. The parking attendants enforce this ruthlessly. If you show up with three people in the car hoping they will let it slide, you will be denied entry and forced back into the Federal Boulevard traffic bottleneck to find another lot.

Booking parking through Prked guarantees your spot in advance so you can skip the stress of finding open, non-reserved cash lots. If you need a guaranteed space for Friday night's Broncos vs Packers preseason action, lock it down early.

Official On-Site Parking Options

Empower Field Tailgating Rules and the Best Lots for Broncos Fans

Can you tailgate at Empower Field? Absolutely, but the rules are highly specific and strictly enforced. If you want the full game day experience, you need to know where to go and what time to get there.

The undisputed king of Denver pre-game festivities is Lot C. This is the official Early Tailgating Lot. While standard lots open at 2:30 PM, Lot C opens 6 hours prior to kickoff, meaning you can roll in at 1:00 PM. The Empower Field Lot C tailgating price is $55, paid exclusively via credit card or contactless payment at the gate. Because it operates on a first-come, first-served basis, tailgating spots in Lot C sell out extremely fast—usually within 30 to 60 minutes of the gates opening. If you want this spot, you need to be in line before 1:00 PM.

To maximize your Empower Field tailgating rules compliance and comfort, here is a local pro tip: back your vehicle into the perimeter spaces of the lot. By doing this, your tailgate setup (chairs, coolers, small tables) can extend over the landscaped grass or gravel edges without blocking the active drive lanes. Stadium staff will patrol the lots, and they require all tailgating to remain confined to your single vehicle footprint. You cannot take up an empty parking space next to you, no matter how early it is.

You must also time your grilling accordingly. All tailgating in permitted official lots must conclude exactly 45 minutes prior to kickoff. For a 7:00 PM game, you need to have your fires out and your gear packed away by 6:15 PM.

Warning: Do not attempt to tailgate in Lot A. Zero tailgating is allowed in the Carpool lot. If you try to set up chairs behind your vehicle in Lot A, security will shut it down immediately.

Cheap Parking Near Mile High Stadium: The Best Off-Site Alternatives

If paying $55 to park a car rubs you the wrong way, you are not alone. Finding cheap parking near Broncos stadium is highly entirely possible if you are willing to take a short walk and know exactly which facilities to target.

For many locals, the absolute best place to park for Broncos preseason game traffic is east of the highway. When the game ends, getting out of the on-site stadium lots means fighting your way onto I-25 or Colfax Avenue alongside 70,000 other people. Parking slightly off-site solves this problem.

One of the most popular hidden gems is the Riverside church Denver Broncos parking. Located at 2401 Alcott St, Riverside Church operates as an official overflow lot for just $30. It opens exactly 3 hours prior to kickoff (4:00 PM for this game). It offers an incredibly easy 10-15 minute walk straight to the stadium gates. The only downside is they do not take advance reservations, meaning you have to show up early and hope they still have space.

Another excellent choice is the Auraria campus parking for Broncos games. Sitting directly across I-25 from the stadium, the Auraria Campus garages offer event parking rates between $15 and $30. These garages are highly secure and monitored by cameras. Post-game, you get to enjoy a scenic, well-lit pedestrian walk via the I-25 underpass. The walk takes about 15 minutes. Just be aware that if you park on the upper levels of the campus garages, you might face a slight traffic bottleneck when exiting back onto Auraria Parkway after the game.

For maximum budget savings, you need to check Prked. You can frequently secure spots at the 319 Walnut St. Lot for around $6.00. It requires a 13-minute walk, but the savings are unbeatable. Another great target is the Riverpoint Lot at 2332 15th St. This lot usually runs $10 to $12. While it is a 24-minute walk to the stadium, it is situated right next to the Platte Valley Broncos Shuttle pickup, making it a brilliant hybrid transit strategy. Using Prked locks in these cheap rates ahead of time so you do not fall victim to dynamic surge pricing on game day.

Best Off-Site and Overflow Parking Options

Is ADA Parking Available at Empower Field?

Is ADA parking available at Empower Field? Yes, but the logistics require you to arrive early because the spaces are highly limited and strictly regulated.

If you are looking for Empower Field ADA parking, you need to know that these spots absolutely cannot be purchased in advance for Broncos games. They operate entirely on a first-come, first-served basis.

Accessible parking is available for $35 in Lot L or slightly closer for $40 in Lots D and G. To gain entry to any of these designated ADA sections, the driver or passenger must present a valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate, and the registered owner of the placard must be present in the vehicle.

Because advance reservations are impossible and the demand is high, you should plan to arrive exactly when the standard lots open at 2:30 PM. These highly sought-after spaces fill up fast, and once they are gone, stadium staff will have to direct you to standard parking spaces which may require a significantly longer distance to travel to the gates.

Can You Park on the Street? (Neighborhood Towing Traps)

Many fans search to see if there is free parking near Empower Field. Let's save you a massive headache: there is essentially zero free street parking near the stadium during a Broncos game.

The neighborhoods directly to the west of the stadium—specifically Jefferson Park and Sloan's Lake—do not want game day traffic clogging up their streets. To prevent this, the city enforces highly aggressive parking restrictions.

What happens if you park in Jefferson Park during a Broncos game? If your vehicle does not display a specific local resident sticker, you will be targeted immediately. During stadium events, these streets transition into strict 'A' Residential Permit parking zones. The city deploys extra parking enforcement officers who issue immediate 2-hour tickets and coordinate with local tow trucks.

Do not risk your Friday night by hunting for a free spot on a residential street. The cost of a tow in Denver far exceeds the price of booking a legitimate spot. Stick to the official lots, use the Auraria campus, or book an off-site space.

Taking the RTD Light Rail & Shuttles to Empower Field

If you want to skip the driving entirely, public transit is a viable option, but you need accurate, updated information to make it work.

First, a critical update that catches many returning fans off guard: The old RTD 'BroncosRide' dedicated bus service has been indefinitely suspended. It is completely dead. If you are reading older forums or outdated guides telling you to wait at a park-and-ride for a Broncos bus, you will be left stranded.

How do you take the Light Rail to a Broncos game? The most efficient method is to buy an RTD Light Rail All-Day Pass for $5.50. The RTD light rail to Empower Field serves the stadium directly via the C, E, and W lines, dropping you at the Empower Field at Mile High Station just a short walk from the gates.

If you want to master the RTD routes for Broncos games, you need to know the post-game hack. When the game ends, thousands of fans rush the main Empower Field station, creating a massive bottleneck where you might wait for multiple trains before you can finally board. Instead of fighting that crowd, walk slightly south to the Decatur-Federal station. You can catch the W Line there with a fraction of the hassle.

Are there shuttles to Empower Field? Yes, but not operated by RTD. The Platte Valley Broncos Shuttle is a popular private option. You can board this shuttle near Confluence Park/REI in LoDo for $7 roundtrip. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy downtown Denver before the game and get dropped off right near the action.

To map your exact route, download the RTD NextRide app, type 'Denver Broncos' as your destination, and it will give you real-time, event-specific train routing to ensure you make kickoff.

Where is the Uber Drop-off and Pick-up at Empower Field?

Rideshare is incredibly popular for Friday night games, but Empower Field handles Uber and Lyft completely differently than most venues.

If you need the Uber drop off at Empower Field at Mile High before the game, drivers can usually navigate relatively close to the stadium perimeters before the road closures get too severe. However, getting picked up after the game is a completely different story.

Where is the Uber pickup at Empower Field? You absolutely cannot be picked up directly outside the stadium gates after the game. To prevent total gridlock on Federal Blvd and the highway ramps, the stadium and the city utilize strict geofencing technology.

Post-game Uber and Lyft pickups are restricted entirely to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot at 5th and Walnut St.

This is not a quick stroll across the street; this is a 15-minute walk east of the stadium, taking you under the I-25 pedestrian bridges and toward downtown. If you attempt an Uber pickup Broncos game request while you are still standing outside the stadium gates, the app either will not let you drop a pin, or your driver will be physically unable to reach you due to police barricades, forcing them to cancel your ride.

Do not request your ride until you actually reach the Ball Arena lot. Walking with the crowd toward LoDo and Ball Arena is well-lit, heavily populated, and generally considered a safe, popular route for night games. It gives the stadium traffic time to clear out, and it ensures your driver can actually pull up, get you in the car, and get you home safely.