NFL approves $100 million in upgrades to Broncos’ Empower Field at Mile High
ENGLEWOOD — Empower Field at Mile High is getting a face-lift.
The NFL’s financial committee on Wednesday approved $100 million in improvements to the Broncos’ stadium. The Walton-Penner ownership group began putting together the proposal months ago after buying the team in August. The Metropolitan Football Stadium District will fund $12 million of the project, with the remainder of the cost being assumed by the Broncos with G-4 financing.
The upgrades will include a new video board, larger concessions and new premium seating, among other amenities. The upgrades will take place soon after the season ends in January, with the hope many of the improvements will be completed for upcoming summer concerts.
“This significant investment in Empower Field at Mile High — the largest in the stadium’s history — demonstrates the deep commitment by the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group to immediately and continually provide the best possible experience for our fans,” president Damani Leech said. “As we look toward the future with the long-term plans for our stadium, we are equally focused on the present to ensure Empower Field at Mile High remains a premier sports and entertainment venue.”
The video board will be the biggest undertaking of the improvements, with the upgrade measuring 72 feet tall (31 feet taller than the current edition) by 225 feet wide. This will make it the fourth-largest videoboard in the NFL. In addition to renovating suites, the Broncos will also create “all-inclusive hospitality space on field level.” The Broncos Team Store will increase the space by 3,000 square feet.
Empower Field is 22 years old, which has left some wondering when the Broncos might build a new stadium. Even with the renovations, the Broncos could build a new stadium some time in the next 10 years, once their lease at Empower Field ends. The lease has nine years remaining.
For now, the Broncos are content at playing at Empower Field and hope to improve the fan experience with the $100 million renovations.
Empower Field at Mile High Stadium lit purple in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 2019. The NFL’s financial committee on Wednesday approved $100 million in stadium improvements to the’ stadium