Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - Empower Field Parking Guide (Sep 20, 2026)

If you are heading to Empower Field at Mile High on September 20, 2026, to watch the Denver Broncos take on the Jacksonville Jaguars, your game day actually starts before you even put the car in park. With a 2:05 PM kickoff on a Sunday afternoon, the traffic radiating off I-25, Federal Blvd, and Colfax Ave is going to be intense. Finding parking in this part of Denver is a sport all its own, and if you don't have a plan, you are going to waste money, time, or worse—end up getting your car towed.

The stadium area features about 6,500 on-site parking spaces and roughly 15,000 independent off-site spaces in the immediate vicinity. That sounds like a lot until you realize 76,000 screaming fans are all descending on the exact same two-mile radius at the exact same time.

This guide strips away the guesswork. I am going to walk you through exactly how much the official lots cost in 2026, the strict rules you need to know about tailgating, the newly revived RTD transit options, and the hidden local parking hacks that will save you from sitting in gridlock for an hour after the final whistle.

How much is parking at Empower Field for a Broncos game? (Official Lots & Prices 2026)

If you are looking up Empower Field parking prices 2026, the very first thing you need to understand is how you are going to pay. Empower Field at Mile High is a 100% cashless facility. This is a hard rule. You cannot hand a parking attendant a wad of cash. All official parking requires payment via credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Have your card or phone ready before you pull up to the lot attendant to keep the lines moving.

Official on-site parking at Empower Field is sold largely to season ticket holders, but there are first-come, first-served cash-up-front (well, credit-up-front) lots available on game day. Here is exactly what you can expect to pay for the Broncos vs. Jaguars matchup:

• Lot C (Early Tailgate): $55 per space. This is the premier tailgating lot. It is the most coveted piece of asphalt in Denver on a Sunday morning.
• Lot A (Carpool): $45 per space. This is a discounted lot, but it comes with massive restrictions. You must have 4 or more people in your vehicle, and tailgating is strictly banned.
• Mile High Stadium Circle Lot: $60 per space. If you want extreme proximity to the gates and don't care about tailgating, this is your premium option.
• ADA Parking (Lots L, D, G): $35 to $40 per space. Accessible parking requires a valid state-issued placard or license plate.

The biggest mistake rookies make is assuming they can just roll up to any stadium lot at noon, pay the fee, and set up a grill. The official lots sell out incredibly fast, and each has its own distinct set of rules. If you want a guaranteed spot right next to the stadium, your best bet is buying a resale parking pass ahead of time, which frequently goes for north of $100 depending on the lot.

Is Empower Field parking cash or credit only?

To reiterate because fans get caught off guard every single week: It is strictly credit or mobile pay only. Do not rely on cash for parking, concessions, or merchandise anywhere on the Empower Field property. Apple Pay and Google Pay work seamlessly at all parking entry gates.

What time do parking lots open at Empower Field for a 2:05 PM game?

Timing is everything. If you are trying to figure out what time to leave your house, you need to follow this exact timeline for a 2:05 PM afternoon kickoff. The stadium operates on a rigid clock, and arriving even 15 minutes late can be the difference between securing a spot in Lot C and being redirected to an off-site garage a mile away.

Your Sep 20 Game Day Timeline:

• 8:05 AM (6 hours before kickoff): Lot C opens. If you want one of these $55 first-come, first-served tailgating spots, you need to be in line right now. The lot typically sells out completely within 30 to 60 minutes of opening.
• 9:35 AM (4.5 hours before kickoff): Standard stadium lots open. This includes Lot A, the ADA lots, and all permit-only lots. If you have a prepurchased pass, this is when you can pull in.
• 11:05 AM (3 hours before kickoff): Mane Street opens. The official pre-game fan zone kicks off.
• 1:20 PM (45 minutes before kickoff): Tailgating ends. Security will walk the lots. All tailgating setups in official lots must be entirely broken down, fires extinguished, and packed away so fans head into the stadium.
• 2:05 PM: Kickoff against the Jaguars.

Can you tailgate at Empower Field? (Tailgating Rules & Best Spots)

Yes, you can absolutely tailgate at Empower Field, but the days of lawless, unregulated parties in every parking space are over. The stadium enforces strict Empower Field tailgating rules to maximize space and ensure safety.

If you want to tailgate on-site without an expensive resale pass, you must arrive at Lot C by 8:00 AM sharp to secure a $55 first-come, first-served spot. This lot is the beating heart of Broncos tailgating.

Critical Tailgating Rules to Know:

• The Lot A Trap: Can you tailgate in Lot A Empower Field? Absolutely not. Lot A is the designated Carpool Section. Vehicles are strictly required to have 4 or more patrons to enter to get the $45 rate. Security monitors this lot heavily, and if you pop a trunk and pull out a cooler, you will be shut down immediately. It is a massive trap for fans trying to save ten bucks.
• Space Limits: You cannot buy a second parking space just for your grill and chairs. All tailgating must be confined to the space directly behind or in front of your vehicle.
• The Perimeter Trick: For tailgaters arriving early in standard lots, park in the outer perimeter spaces. This allows you to utilize the adjacent landscaped gravel and grass areas for your setup without blocking the drive lanes. It gives you double the room for free.
• Hard Stop: Tailgating setups in official lots must be entirely broken down and concluded 45 minutes prior to kickoff (1:20 PM). They want you buying stadium beers, not drinking your own during the first quarter.

If you miss out on Lot C, head to Riverside Church (2401 Alcott St). It is about a 15-minute walk to the stadium, costs $30 per spot, opens 4 hours before kickoff, and actively encourages grilling and tailgating. It is first-come, first-served with no presale options, so you still need to be early.

If you are hosting a massive group and want a guaranteed spot where you can set up exactly how you want, consider booking a private tailgate-friendly lot ahead of time. You can check local availability and secure Broncos vs Jaguars Tailgate — 2026-09-20 Parking well before game day so you aren't stressing about finding a spot at 8 AM.

Where to park for Denver Broncos games: Empower Field Parking Comparison

Here is a quick breakdown of your primary parking options, ranging from on-site convenience to off-site savings.

Reserve parking for Broncos vs Jaguars (Private Driveways & Pre-Booked Options)

If you are bringing the family or just want a stress-free game day, circling Colfax Avenue looking for a random cash lot is a miserable experience. The immediate residential neighborhoods around the stadium—specifically Sun Valley and Jefferson Park—are tightly controlled on game days.

You cannot simply park in front of a house in these neighborhoods. Residential streets surrounding the stadium enforce strict permit-only restrictions during games. If you park on a neighborhood street without a resident pass, violators are heavily ticketed and immediately towed to the Gary Price Building. Retrieving a towed car on a Sunday afternoon will ruin your weekend and cost you hundreds of dollars.

Instead, you can bypass the towing risk and the stadium gridlock entirely by reserving a space in a private neighborhood driveway. Locals rent out their driveways for games, giving you a safe, guaranteed spot that you can pull right into.

You can book your primary spot using Broncos vs Jaguars — 2026-09-20 Parking to find something within a 10-minute walk. If those fill up, or if you don't mind walking a little further to save some money and get easier highway access post-game, check for Broncos vs Jaguars — 2026-09-20 Parking overflow options just across I-25 or slightly north in the Highlands. Booking early is the smartest thing you can do for your sanity.

Cheap off-site parking near Empower Field Mile High & Walk Times

If you want cheap parking Empower Field Mile High, you have to be willing to use your legs. The best combination of high capacity, reasonable pricing, and a safe walking route is the Auraria Campus.

Located just across I-25 from the stadium, Auraria Campus is a massive off-site parking hub connected by a safe, 10-minute pedestrian walkway under the highway. The campus offers over 6,000 spaces spread across several garages and surface lots, including the Tivoli Garage, 5th Street Garage, and 7th Street Garage.

How much is Auraria Campus parking for Broncos games? You will pay a highly reasonable $25 to $30 flat rate for game day parking here.

The Auraria Pro-Tip: If parking in the Auraria Campus 5th or 7th Street Garages, park on the lowest possible level you can find. Do not drive to the roof just because it looks empty. When the game ends, thousands of fans rush back to these garages at the exact same time. The upper levels face severe exit bottlenecks post-game, and you can easily sit in your running car for 45 minutes just trying to get down the ramps. Park near the ground floor, walk the extra flight of stairs on your way in, and you will zip right out onto Auraria Parkway when the game is over.

RTD to Empower Field Broncos game: Public Transit & 2026 Updates

If you want to skip driving altogether, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) is your best friend. In a massive win for fans, in 2026, RTD reinstated the popular "BroncosRide" direct game-day bus service. After years of suspension, they are deploying 92 buses connecting to 18 metro Denver park-and-ride locations.

How does the BroncosRide RTD bus work in 2026? You simply drive to one of the 18 designated park-and-ride lots in the suburbs, park your car for free, and pay for your RTD fare. The buses drop you off directly at the stadium gates and wait for you post-game. An RTD 3-Hour Pass costs $2.75 standard, and it is completely free for youth 19 and under.

If you are taking the light rail, Empower Field at Mile High Station is serviced by the C, E, and W lines. However, taking the train requires knowing how to game the system when the clock hits zero.

The Decatur-Federal RTD Hack: When the game ends, roughly 10,000 people will immediately rush the Empower Field light rail station. The line to get on a train wraps around the block, and the crowd crush is exhausting. Avoid the post-game crush at the Empower Field RTD station by walking one block south to the Decatur-Federal station. It’s located just south of the tailgate lots. It primarily services the W Line, but catching a train here is infinitely faster, and it bypasses the massive bottleneck at the main station.

Denver trolley to Broncos game: The Scenic Hack

If you want the most unique, stress-free entrance to the stadium possible, look into the Platte Valley Broncos Shuttle. This is a historic Denver Trolley that runs exclusively on game days.

Here is how it works: You park in downtown LoDo near Confluence Park or REI. Economy off-site lots in this area (like the Siegel Lot or Blue Lot) cost just $4 to $10 for the day. You then walk to the trolley stop behind REI, pay the $7 to $15 round-trip trolley fare, and take a scenic ride down the South Platte River.

The trolley drops you off right at the stadium footbridge—a 0-minute walk to the property line. It entirely avoids the vehicular gridlock surrounding the stadium perimeter. Yes, it requires paying for both cheap parking and a separate trolley ticket, but the combined cost is still often cheaper than standard stadium parking, and you get to enjoy a breezy ride along the river instead of sucking exhaust on Federal Blvd.

Where is the rideshare pickup at Empower Field? (Uber & Lyft Logistics)

If you are planning to drink at the tailgate and want to Uber or Lyft to the game, getting to the stadium is easy. Getting home is a completely different story.

Where is the Uber pick-up at Empower Field? Do not attempt to request a rideshare directly outside the stadium post-game. The streets surrounding the venue are closed to non-permitted traffic, and rideshare drivers cannot get to you. If they try, they will be stuck in gridlock for an hour, and your surge pricing will easily clear $100.

The official, required post-game rideshare pickup zone is at Ball Arena, located a 15-minute walk east of the stadium.

To get there, walk east away from the stadium and cross the South Platte River Footbridge. This is the primary pedestrian artery connecting the stadium to downtown, bypassing vehicular gridlock entirely. Once you are safely across the river and walking onto the Ball Arena property, your driver can easily access you via Auraria Parkway or Speer Blvd. Your ride will be significantly cheaper, and your driver will actually be able to pick you up.

Are scooters allowed near Empower Field? No. If you were thinking about taking a Lime or Bird scooter from downtown straight to the stadium gates, think again. E-scooters are strictly banned from the stadium perimeter sidewalks on game days. The apps will geo-fence the area and throttle your scooter to a halt before you can get close. Plan to park your scooter in LoDo or Auraria and walk the rest of the way.

Empower Field ADA parking & Accessibility

If you are looking for Empower Field ADA parking, the stadium handles this relatively well, but you still need to arrive early.

ADA accessible parking is located in Lots L, D, and G. These spaces cost $35 to $40 per space on game day. These are cash-up-front lots (again, meaning credit/mobile pay only) and they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You absolutely must have a valid state-issued ADA placard or license plate prominently displayed to enter these lots.

Because these lots open at 9:35 AM alongside the standard lots, they fill up fast. The stadium does provide courtesy shuttles from the ADA parking lots to the stadium gates to assist fans with mobility issues.

Empower Field Game Day FAQs

What is the clear bag policy for Empower Field? Like all NFL stadiums, Empower Field strictly enforces the clear bag policy. You cannot bring a standard backpack, purse, or oversized tote into the stadium. The policy restricts fans to:

• Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12" x 6" x 12"
• 1-gallon clear freezer bags (Ziploc style)
• Small clutches or wallets no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" If you bring a bag that violates this rule, you will have to walk all the way back to your car to store it, or pay for an on-site storage locker.

Is there free parking near Empower Field? No. Unless you are parking miles away at an RTD park-and-ride lot (which is free) and paying the $2.75 bus fare to get to the stadium, there is zero free parking within a reasonable walking distance of Empower Field on a Broncos game day. Do not trust an empty street space in the nearby neighborhoods; it is a guaranteed tow.

Can I use cash to pay for parking at Empower Field? No. The stadium and all official lots are strictly cashless. You must use a credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

What time does the Sept 20 game start? The Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars game kicks off at 2:05 PM Mountain Time.

Plan your transit strategy now. Whether you are aiming for a sunrise tailgate in Lot C, taking the historic trolley from Confluence Park, or reserving a private driveway to guarantee a stress-free exit, arriving with a plan is the best way to enjoy football Sunday in Denver. Go Broncos.