The Complete 2026 Parking Guide: Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders at Empower Field at Mile High

Heading to the Broncos vs. Raiders showdown on November 22, 2026? With a 2:25 PM kickoff, official parking lots open precisely at 9:55 AM—but if you rely on outdated advice, you might find yourself stranded. The popular BroncosRide bus is permanently canceled, Empower Field is now 100% cashless, and post-game rideshare pickups require a 15-minute hike. Here is everything you need to know to park smart, tailgate right, and avoid getting towed.

We go beyond generic stadium guides by exposing crucial 2026 logistics. Forget about the old transit routes. You need to know the exact lot opening times for this unique 2:25 PM kickoff, the strict 4-passenger requirement for Lot A, and the secret Denver Trolley hack to beat post-game gridlock.

What Time Do Parking Lots Open at Empower Field for a 2:25 PM Game?

What time do parking lots open at Empower Field for a 2:25 PM game? Standard stadium parking lots open exactly 4.5 hours prior to kickoff. For this specific November 22nd matchup against the Raiders, that means the gates swing open at 9:55 AM.

If you are aiming to maximize your pre-game festivities, Lot C (the Premium Early Tailgating lot) opens earlier. Lot C grants access a full 6 hours before kickoff, meaning you can pull your truck in at 8:25 AM.

How much is official parking at a Denver Broncos game? You can expect to pay anywhere from $35 to $55 for official stadium lots, depending on the tier and location.

Be warned: Empower Field at Mile High operates as a 100% cashless facility for the 2026 season. If you are rolling up to a stadium lot hoping to hand a parking attendant a crisp fifty-dollar bill, you will be turned away. All drive-up parking transactions, along with every single concession stand inside the stadium, require a credit card or contactless payment method like Apple Pay.

Fans constantly ask, Can you tailgate in the carpool lot at Empower Field? The answer is a hard no. Lot A is the designated carpool section and offers a discounted rate of $45, but it comes with strict stipulations. You must have 4 or more passengers in your vehicle to gain entry, and tailgating of any kind is strictly prohibited in this specific lot. Attendants monitor this area closely.

Official Empower Field Parking Options & Prices

Where Can I Find the Cheapest Off-Site Parking Lots Near Empower Field?

If you want to save cash and avoid the nightmare of pulling out of the stadium lots after the final whistle, parking off-site is your smartest move. Where can I park for cheap near Empower Field? Look to the east side of Interstate 25.

Because the stadium is boxed in by highways and residential zones, commercial parking relies heavily on the downtown side. You will walk a little further, but you will pay half the price and get on the highway twice as fast.

The Top Off-Site Parking Alternatives

Auraria Campus (Multiple Garages): This is the undisputed king of off-site stadium parking. How much is parking at Auraria campus for Broncos games? It generally runs between $20 and $30 for event parking. The 5th Street Garage and the Tivoli Garage are massive and rarely fill up completely. From here, you are looking at a 15-minute walk. You simply stroll west through the campus and take the dedicated pedestrian bridge right over I-25. It drops you off practically at the stadium gates.

Riverside Church Lot (2401 Alcott St): This is a highly reliable community lot that charges a flat $30. It opens 4 hours prior to kickoff (10:25 AM for this game). It involves a straightforward walk crossing over the highway, but there are no pre-sales. You have to show up and claim your spot.

Siegel Lot (1408 Zuni St): If you are hunting for the absolute cheapest parking near Broncos stadium, this is your target. Prices typically range from $5 to $11 depending on dynamic event pricing. It is a 12 to 14-minute walk to the stadium. Just keep in mind that portions of this lot are gravel, so wear appropriate shoes if the November weather turns messy.

Denver Aquarium Lot: Located just off I-25, aquarium parking starts at just $8.99. It offers an incredibly easy exit back onto the interstate. The walk to Empower Field takes about 15 minutes along dedicated sidewalks. Space here is subject to availability depending on how many families are visiting the aquarium that Sunday.

If you are trying to figure out where to park for the Broncos vs Raiders Nov 22 matchup, these off-site lots offer the perfect balance of price and convenience.

Best Parking for Broncos Games Leaving South

If you live in South Denver, Castle Rock, or Colorado Springs, your priority is getting back onto I-25 South as fast as possible. Best parking for Broncos games leaving south involves avoiding the stadium’s western and northern exits entirely.

Park at the Auraria Campus 5th Street Garage or the Lincoln Park neighborhood lots. When the game ends, you will walk east over the highway bridge, hop in your car, and feed directly onto Colfax Ave or Speer Blvd. Both of these arteries have dedicated on-ramps to I-25 South that bypass the gridlock localized around the stadium's immediate perimeter.

Want to lock in your spot before game day? You can easily reserve your Denver Broncos event parking in advance through Prked to guarantee your space and bypass the frantic morning search.

Where is the Uber Pickup at Mile High Stadium? (Rideshare Guide)

Rideshare logistics at Empower Field ruin the night of thousands of unprepared fans every single week. Generic guides will tell you to just "call an Uber to the stadium." If you try that at 5:30 PM after the game, you will be standing on a street corner for an hour watching your app spin.

Uber designated drop-off at Empower Field: Getting to the game is the easy part. Ubers and Lyfts are permitted to drop passengers off right at Gate 5. This gets you incredibly close to the stadium entrances. Have your driver navigate toward the designated Gate 5 lane via Dick Connor Ave.

Where is the Uber pickup at Mile High stadium? Here is the painful truth: Post-game pickups are completely banned anywhere near the immediate stadium perimeter. Law enforcement shuts down the surrounding streets to prioritize pedestrian exiting and shuttle buses.

To get your ride home, you must walk east to the Ball Arena Rideshare Lot, specifically located at the intersection of 5th Ave and Walnut St.

How long is the walk from Ball Arena to Empower Field? It is a mandatory 15-minute walk (roughly 0.7 miles) from the stadium gates to this pickup zone. You will follow the massive crowds walking east over the pedestrian bridges toward downtown.

The "Zone Out" Strategy to Beat Uber Surge Pricing

When 70,000 people leave the stadium and 10,000 of them walk to the Ball Arena lot, Uber and Lyft surge pricing skyrockets. A standard $15 ride home can easily spike to $80 or $100.

Beat the system with the "Zone Out" strategy. Instead of walking to the Ball Arena rideshare lot, walk directly to the Empower Field Light Rail station. Jump on the E or W line heading east for just one or two stops until you hit Union Station. Once you are at Union Station, request your Uber from there. You will have completely escaped the geofenced stadium surge pricing zone, and your driver won't have to battle game-day traffic to reach you.

Is the BroncosRide Bus Still Running? (Plus The Denver Trolley Hack)

Let’s address a massive point of confusion right now. Is the BroncosRide bus still running for 2026? No. The dedicated BroncosRide RTD bus service, which historically shuttled fans from park-and-rides across the suburbs directly to the stadium doors, has been indefinitely suspended. Do not plan your Sunday around a bus that will not show up.

Because the bus is gone, pressure on the RTD Light Rail has increased significantly.

RTD light rail to Empower Field: The C, E, and W lines all service the stadium. However, you need to know about post-game crowd control. The Auraria West station is frequently closed immediately following the game to prevent platform overcrowding. You must walk slightly further south and use the dedicated Empower Field at Mile High Station to catch a train out.

The Secret Denver Trolley Hack

If you want the most scenic, stress-free, and unique transportation to the stadium, you need to use the Denver Trolley.

Denver trolley schedule to Broncos game: The historic Denver Trolley operates a special "Football Shuttle" for every Broncos home game. It begins running about two hours before kickoff and continues until kickoff, then resumes for about an hour after the game ends.

Here is how you execute the hack:

1. Drive to the Confluence Park area near downtown Denver.
2. Park your car at the Riverpoint Lot (2332 15th St) or the Platte 15 Garage. These usually charge under $12 for the day.
3. Walk behind the massive REI flagship store to the trolley tracks along the South Platte River.
4. Pay $7 for a roundtrip ticket (or $5 one-way).
5. Ride the open-air trolley down the river. It drops you off in the shadow of the stadium, completely bypassing highway traffic, pedestrian bridges, and parking lot lines.

It is arguably the best-kept secret in Denver sports tailgating.

How Do I Buy ADA Accessible Parking at Empower Field?

Fans with mobility needs must plan ahead, but you cannot do it by purchasing a spot online.

How do I buy ADA parking at Empower Field? You cannot pre-purchase ADA spaces for Broncos games. They are sold strictly on a first-come, first-served basis on the morning of the event.

Empower Field ADA parking options: Accessible parking is located in Lots L, D, and G. These lots are situated as close to the stadium ramps and elevators as physically possible. The cost for these spaces ranges from $35 to $40, and you must pay with a credit or debit card at the gate.

To gain access to these lots, you must present a valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate, and the person to whom the placard is registered must be inside the vehicle.

Because these spots are so highly coveted, they fill up incredibly fast. You should plan to arrive at the stadium gates at least 2.5 hours prior to kickoff. For this 2:25 PM Raiders game, you need to be pulling into the lot no later than 11:55 AM. If you arrive after noon, the ADA lots will almost certainly be sold out, forcing you to park further away and rely on stadium cart shuttles.

Quick Tip: What is the clear bag policy for Denver Broncos games?

If you are managing mobility devices, ensure your personal items still comply with stadium rules. Empower Field enforces a strict NFL clear bag policy. You may only bring in bags that are clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutch bags (4.5" x 6.5") are allowed. Exceptions are made for medically necessary items, but they will be subject to a thorough inspection at a dedicated medical gate.

Denver Broncos Tailgating Rules & Jefferson Park Street Parking Warnings

Tailgating is a sacred tradition in Denver, especially when the Raiders come to town. The air will smell like green chile and grilled brats by 9:00 AM. But the stadium authority enforces strict rules to keep the lots safe and ensure everyone actually makes it inside for kickoff.

Tailgating Rules Denver Broncos Fans Must Follow

Tailgating is highly encouraged in most official stadium lots. If you want to dive right into the party, you should secure Broncos vs Raiders Tailgate parking early.

However, you must abide by the stadium clock. Tailgating must conclude exactly 60 minutes prior to kickoff. For this 2:25 PM game, security will begin sweeping the lots and telling fans to pack it up at 1:25 PM.

All tailgating equipment—tents, grills, coolers, and chairs—must be completely packed away inside your vehicle before you walk to the gates. You cannot leave a tent set up while you are inside the stadium. Also, remember that open fires are banned; you must use gas or charcoal grills, and all charcoal must be disposed of in the clearly marked hot coal bins scattered throughout the lots.

The Jefferson Park Street Parking Trap

Look at a map of Empower Field, and you will see a massive grid of residential streets just to the west and north of the stadium. This area is known as Jefferson Park. It looks incredibly tempting. You might think you can just slide your car onto a quiet street for free.

Can you park on the street near Empower Field? Generally speaking, absolutely not.

Can I park in Jefferson Park during a Broncos game? No. Do not attempt this under any circumstances.

The City of Denver implements a highly aggressive, strictly enforced 9-hour event parking restriction throughout the entire Jefferson Park neighborhood on game days. The boundaries roughly stretch from Federal Blvd on the west, to 23rd Ave on the north, and I-25 on the east.

Every street is lined with signs reading "Residential Parking Permit Only - Tow Away Zone." Parking enforcement officers patrol these streets aggressively starting hours before kickoff. They do not issue warnings. They write expensive tickets and call tow trucks immediately. Having your car impounded on a Sunday evening in Denver will cost you hundreds of dollars and ruin your weekend.

Stick to the official stadium lots, the Auraria campus garages, or the cheaper commercial lots east of the highway. Pay the parking fee, lock your doors, and head in to watch the Broncos take on the Raiders with complete peace of mind.