Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks Parking Guide: Empower Field (2026)

Heading to Empower Field at Mile High for the Broncos vs. Seahawks 6:15 PM kickoff on October 15, 2026? Official parking prices range from $45 to $55, but with stadium lots selling out in minutes, neighborhood street parking heavily restricted, and the RTD BroncosRide officially cancelled, winging it will leave you stranded.

Empower Field is nestled right up against I-25, which means traffic on game day becomes a highly congested parking lot of its own. Throw in the strict 12x6x12 clear plastic bag policy at the gates and the fact that e-scooters are banned from the immediate stadium footprint, and your game day logistics require a serious game plan.

Here is your definitive, step-by-step guide to finding the best Denver Broncos vs Seahawks parking Empower Field has to offer, avoiding the post-game rideshare chaos, and keeping your car from getting towed. If you want to skip the headache entirely, your smartest move is to book guaranteed event parking through Prked right now.

Empower Field Parking Map 2026: Official Lots & Pricing

How much is parking at Empower Field for a Broncos game?

Official parking for a Denver Broncos game ranges from $45 for carpool parking to $55 for early tailgating access. General advance stadium permits typically run between $43 to $59 if you buy them directly from the team.

However, Empower Field at Mile High official parking prices on the secondary market are a completely different story. Resale apps wildly inflate these passes, meaning you will routinely see standard stadium lot passes flipped for anywhere from $72 up to $341+ as kickoff approaches.

Before you pull up to the gate, you need to know one critical rule: Empower Field is a 100% cashless venue. Every single on-site lot strictly requires a credit card or a mobile payment method like Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you show up with a wad of cash, the parking attendants will turn you around.

Official Empower Field Parking Options & Restrictions

Lot A Carpool Parking Rules Broncos Game

If you are hunting for on-site convenience, Lot A seems like a great deal at $45. But beware: this is a heavily restricted Carpool Section, and the attendants do not mess around.

You must have a minimum of 4 passengers in your vehicle to enter Lot A. If you pull up with three or fewer people in your car, you will be turned away immediately—even if you already paid for a pass. Do not try to game the system by dropping people off and circling back; they count heads at the entrance.

Additionally, if you are wondering, "can you tailgate in Lot A at Empower field?", the answer is a hard no. Tailgating is strictly prohibited in this specific section to maximize parking density. If you want to grill and drink some beers, you need to look elsewhere.

What Time Do Parking Lots Open for Broncos 6:15 Game?

What time does Lot C open for early tailgating?

For the 6:15 PM kickoff against the Seahawks, the premium tailgating zone (Lot C) opens exactly 6 hours early at 12:00 PM.

Because Lot C operates entirely on a first-come, first-served basis, demand is rabid. You cannot reserve these spots ahead of time. The line of trucks and SUVs will start forming well before noon. Lot C typically sells out completely within 30 to 60 minutes of the gates opening. If you are not sitting in line by 12:30 PM at the absolute latest, you will not get a spot.

If you miss out on Lot C, standard stadium lots (Lots A, D, G, and L) open 4.5 hours before kickoff, which means the gates open at 1:45 PM for this specific matchup.

What are the tailgating rules for Denver Broncos games?

Broncos tailgating rules Empower Field strictly enforces are designed to keep the fire lanes clear and maximize the number of cars that can fit into the lots.

If you score a spot in a designated tailgating lot, your entire setup must be contained to a single parking space per permit. You cannot sprawl your tents, grills, and coolers into the empty space next to you or block the driving lanes. If you want two spaces for a massive setup, you need to buy two permits and drive two vehicles in together.

All tailgating must stop before the game starts. Stadium security mandates that all tailgating equipment—including extinguished grills, chairs, and tents—must be packed away into your vehicle 60 minutes before kickoff. For a 6:15 PM game, you need to be entirely packed up by 5:15 PM.

If you need guaranteed space for your crew without fighting the Lot C hunger games, check out dedicated Broncos vs Seahawks tailgate parking options to lock in your pre-game party spot ahead of time.

ADA Parking at Empower Field: Shuttles & Availability

How much is ADA parking at Empower Field?

On-site ADA parking is available in Lots D and G for $40, and slightly further out in Lot L for $35.

You must have a valid state-issued placard or license plate to access these areas. However, having a placard does not guarantee you a spot. These spaces cannot be reserved in advance; they are strictly first-come, first-served.

Because accessibility is a high priority for many fans, these lots fill up fast. The ADA spaces generally sell out within the first 2 hours of the lots opening. For this game, that means the ADA spots will likely be completely full by 3:45 PM.

Empower Field ADA parking shuttle map and assistance

If the primary ADA lots fill up and you are forced to park further out in the general stadium footprint, the venue provides mobility assistance. If you have mobility issues, you can call (720) 258-3887 on game day to request an on-site Empower Field golf cart assist. These carts act as a shuttle system, picking fans up from the outer edges of the stadium lots and dropping them off directly at the main gates.

Where to Find Cheap Parking Near Mile High Stadium

If you refuse to pay $100+ on the resale market for official lots, there is plenty of cheap parking Mile High Stadium Denver locals use to save money and escape the immediate traffic bottlenecks.

The secret to a stress-free game day is finding a spot on the opposite side of I-25 or utilizing local transit hacks. If you want peace of mind, you can always secure alternative game day parking for October 15 through Prked to skip the endless circling.

Where is the cheapest place to park for a Broncos game?

The cheapest parking within 1 mile of Empower Field is generally the Siegel Lot (1408 Zuni St), which advertises base rates between $4.99 and $10.95. It sits just a 12-14 minute walk from the stadium.

However, a massive warning: third-party resale apps often take over this lot on game days and implement severe surge pricing, sometimes pushing the cost well over $100.

For reliable, flat-rate parking, we highly recommend looking slightly east or west of the immediate stadium footprint.

Can you park at Auraria Campus for Broncos games?

Yes, and Auraria Campus Broncos parking is arguably the smartest logistical move you can make. The campus sits directly across I-25 from the stadium and offers massive capacity across several parking structures (Tivoli Garage, 5th St Garage, 7th St Garage).

Event parking here typically costs $25 to $30, and you can easily pay using the ParkMobile app on your phone. From the campus, it is an incredibly straightforward 15 to 25 minute walk over the pedestrian bridges spanning the highway. You bypass the worst of the pre-game gridlock, and when the game ends, your car is already facing downtown Denver, making your escape infinitely faster.

Platte Valley Broncos shuttle cost and location

This is the ultimate local budget hack. Instead of paying stadium prices, park your car in a cheap Lower Downtown (LoDo) garage near the Denver Aquarium or Confluence Park (REI). For example, the Commons Park West garage often charges just $4.

From there, you walk over to the Platte Valley Broncos Shuttle (also known as the Denver Trolley). Round-trip trolley tickets cost just $7, and the historic open-air trolley drops you off directly at the stadium gates. You get a scenic ride along the river, incredibly cheap parking, and zero highway stress.

Best Off-Site & Budget Parking Lots

Uber, Light Rail & Post-Game Transit Logistics (Don't Get Stranded)

Do not assume you can just call a car from the curb after the game ends. The transit landscape around Empower Field has drastically changed over the last few years.

Is the RTD BroncosRide bus still running in 2026?

No. If you are an out-of-town fan reading outdated blogs, you need to know that the RTD BroncosRide game day bus service from the suburban park-and-rides was permanently suspended in 2022. It will not operate for this game. Do not stand at a park-and-ride waiting for a direct stadium bus that no longer exists.

Where is the Uber drop-off and pick-up at Mile High Stadium?

Before the game, the Uber pickup Empower Field at Mile High allows is simple: you can be dropped off directly near Gate 5.

After the game, it is a completely different reality. Post-game Uber and Lyft pickups are completely banned at the stadium drop-off zone. You cannot call a ride from the stadium footprint.

Instead, you must walk roughly 15 minutes east to the designated Ball Arena Rideshare Lot located at 5th Ave and Walnut St. Why the forced march? Because rideshare companies offer drivers a $15 bonus to pick up fares specifically at the Ball Arena lot to keep traffic away from the immediate stadium gates.

How to avoid Uber surge at Empower Field

Walking to the Ball Arena lot puts you right in the middle of a massive crowd of angry, tired fans all trying to hail a ride at the same time. Surge pricing skyrockets, and wait times frequently exceed an hour.

Pro-tip: To avoid the surge and the massive line at Ball Arena, walk directly south of the stadium into the Sun Valley neighborhood. Walk about 10 minutes south, get away from the immediate road closures, and request your ride from a side street. Your driver will have a much easier time reaching you, and you will dodge the worst of the surge multipliers.

RTD light rail Broncos game schedule hacks

Taking the RTD Light Rail is a great option. An RTD Light Rail Day Pass costs just $5.50, and both the E Line and W Line service the stadium area.

However, when the fourth quarter ends, tens of thousands of fans flood the main Empower Field at Mile High station. The pedestrian bottleneck on the ramps is brutal, and you will likely watch two or three fully packed trains roll by before you can board.

Transit Hack: Skip the main station entirely. Walk slightly south to the Decatur-Federal station. It is just a few blocks away, handles W-Line traffic, and offers significantly faster boarding because the massive stadium crowd hasn't realized it's there. Additionally, keep an eye out for RTD "ghost trains" running between Union Station and Littleton-Mineral on the C Line after the game. They rarely appear on the official RTD trip planner app, but they will pull up to clear out the crowds.

Are there free parking spots near Empower Field? (Street Parking Warnings)

If you are Googling "street parking near Mile High stadium game day" hoping to find a secret free spot in a residential neighborhood, stop immediately.

Do not attempt to park in the surrounding Sun Valley or Jefferson Park neighborhoods. These are heavily restricted 'A' permit zones. On game days, the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) deploys a fleet of enforcement vehicles. They are ruthlessly efficient.

They do not just write tickets—they actively tow unauthorized vehicles. Trying to save $30 by stashing your car on a residential street will absolutely result in a ruined evening and a massive impound fee. Stick to the official lots, use the Auraria Campus, or secure your spot through Prked before you leave the house.