TLDR: A party bus or charter bus rental from the Centennial area gets your group to Empower Field at Mile High together, skips the I-25 northbound crawl, and drops you near the gates — while everyone else hauls gear from remote parking or crowds onto an RTD platform.
If you live south of Denver and have made the Broncos game-day drive even once, the story is already familiar. You leave your house on Arapahoe Road or South Yosemite earlier than you should have to, because the last time you tried cutting it close, I-25 northbound backed up from County Line Road all the way past the South Broadway interchange and you spent the first quarter in the parking lot instead of the stadium. That's roughly 22 miles that can swallow 90 minutes on a sold-out Sunday.
When the final whistle blows and 76,000 fans pour out at once, I-25 southbound does the same thing in reverse — except now your rideshare app shows a 40-minute wait, the RTD trains are shoulder-to-shoulder, and the folding table someone brought is somehow nobody's problem to carry.
One party bus or charter bus rental solves every part of that. Your group meets at one pickup point — a parking lot off Arapahoe, a hotel near the Denver Tech Center, a house in Highlands Ranch — boards together, and the bus handles the approach while everyone gets a head start on the pregame. For the full picture of Broncos and Denver venue group travel, see the Centennial sporting event transportation page.
Why Rent a Party Bus or Charter Bus to Empower Field at Mile High?
Work through the numbers for a group of ten coming up from the Centennial area for a Sunday night game. That's at minimum three cars, three tanks of gas up I-25, three pre-purchased parking passes at somewhere between $45 and $65 each depending on the lot, and three people who cannot drink because they are driving. Coordinating three separate vehicles through the Speer Boulevard interchange, finding the same lot, and then getting everyone back to Centennial after 11 p.m. — none of that is what anyone signed up for when the tickets landed in their inbox.
A bus collapses all of that into one flat rate, one pickup, and one drop-off at the stadium. The built-in designated driver means the whole group gets to enjoy the pregame and the post-game on the same terms. For larger groups — corporate outings, birthday runs, season-ticket holder clubs — renting a bus is regularly cheaper per person than the combined total of parking passes, gas per car, and post-game rideshare once you split the bus cost across 20 or 30 people.
Compare party bus and charter bus quotes for Empower Field through Centennial group transportation and see which vehicle fits your crew.
Charter Bus & Party Bus Drop-Off at Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High (1701 Bryant St, Denver, CO 80204) sits in the Lower Sun Valley neighborhood on the west side of downtown Denver. Bryant Street runs along the stadium's western face, 17th Avenue borders the north side, and the main I-25 corridor feeding the stadium approaches from the east through the Speer Boulevard and Federal Boulevard interchanges. On Broncos game days, the team and the City of Denver manage vehicle flow in and around the lots through a coordinated traffic plan — specific gates, lot assignments, and approach corridors that shift depending on the event.
Charter buses and oversized vehicles operate under a separate process from standard car parking. Rather than pulling into a general lot, buses drop passengers along the stadium's perimeter road system — Bryant Street on the west side is the primary drop-off corridor — then park in a designated oversized-vehicle area. Because the exact drop-off point and lot assignment can vary by game and by which parking pass your group purchased, the specific routing for your event date is confirmed when you book.
Always check the official Empower Field parking page before game day for the current traffic plan, lot map, and any approach road changes.
Oversized Vehicle Parking Permits at Empower Field
A charter bus needs its own parking pass, purchased in advance through the Broncos' official parking system. Standard car passes do not cover oversized vehicles, and day-of availability for buses is not reliably available for sold-out games — the Broncos sell out the stadium consistently enough that all lot types, including oversized, tend to move fast once they go on sale. The official Empower Field parking page is where you buy the pass and confirm which lot and gate your bus is assigned to for your specific date.
One bus parking pass covers your entire group. Compare that to four or five separate car passes at $45–$65 each, and the simplicity of arriving by bus starts to look better before you've even factored in the driving headache. Once the pass is purchased and the lot assignment is set, the approach route is clear — no last-minute figuring out which side of Bryant Street the bus goes to while 70,000 other fans are trying to do the same math.
Charter bus parking at Empower Field requires an advance-purchase oversized-vehicle pass. Day-of bus parking is not reliably available for sold-out Broncos games, and the Broncos sell out regularly. Secure your bus parking pass through the official Empower Field parking page when you book the vehicle, so the lot assignment and approach route for your game date are set before you leave Centennial.
Game-Day Road Closures and Approach Routes
On Broncos game days, the roads immediately surrounding the stadium — including Bryant Street, Federal Boulevard, and the surface streets linking them to I-25 — operate under police-directed traffic management starting two to three hours before kickoff. Northbound I-25 feeds the bulk of stadium traffic through the Speer Boulevard and Federal Boulevard corridors, and those interchanges can back up well into the south suburban stretch of the highway for primetime and nationally televised games. The approach routing for oversized vehicles is directed by stadium traffic staff rather than GPS, and the route for your specific game is confirmed at booking based on that day's published plan.
The practical upside: the approach problem belongs to the bus, not your group. Everyone aboard watches the traffic from the inside of an air-conditioned cabin instead of white-knuckling a caravan through Federal Boulevard at game time. When it's over, the bus handles the exit routing while your group recaps the fourth quarter — and nobody is trying to remember which lot they parked in on the way out of Denver at midnight.
Every Way to Get to Empower Field: A Straight-Up Comparison
Empower Field is genuinely well-served by several transportation options, and the right call depends on your group size. Here is an honest breakdown of every realistic way a group from the south suburbs gets to a Broncos game.
| Option | Cost shape | Arrive together? | Drop-off quality | Who has to drive? | Best group size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private party bus or charter bus | One flat rate split across the group | Yes — one vehicle, one arrival | Best — Bryant St perimeter, near the gates | No one — built-in designated driver | 15–56 |
| RTD Light Rail (park-and-ride) | ~$3–$5/person each way + gas to the lot | Only if on the same train | Good — stadium station is steps from the gates | Someone in your group drives to the lot | 1–4 near a rail station |
| Rideshare (Uber / Lyft) | Per car each way + post-game surge pricing | No — multiple cars, multiple ETAs | Variable — staging moves by event | One per car, split across vehicles | 1–4 per car |
| Drive and park at stadium | $45–$65/car, pre-purchase required | No — caravans split | Varies — outer lots mean long walks | Every car needs a designated driver | 1–2 cars |
For one or two people who live within a short drive of an RTD station, the light rail is often the smartest, cheapest option — there's no reason to charter a bus for two. But the moment your group grows past a few cars' worth of people, the hassle of separate vehicles tips things decisively toward one bus. Different exits, different lot assignments, multiple people stuck staying sober to drive, and the post-game rideshare scramble add up fast.
The rest of this guide is written for the group that has passed that tipping point.
RTD Light Rail to Empower Field at Mile High
Empower Field at Mile High has its own RTD light rail station, served by the C, E, and W lines — making it one of the better-connected NFL stadiums in the country for public transit. From the south suburban I-25 corridor, RTD park-and-ride lots at stations between Littleton and downtown Denver give Centennial-area fans a way to drive to the light rail, park, and ride directly to the stadium. The official RTD trip planner will find the best boarding point and current fare from your specific address, and RTD typically adds game-day service for sold-out events.
The light rail works well for one to four people who live near a station. For a group of 20 or 30, the logistics shift: getting everyone onto the same train, managing the post-game packed-platform crush where trains leave standing-room-only, and then coordinating back to a single vehicle or multiple cars in a remote park-and-ride lot is its own organizational challenge. A private party bus or charter bus takes the group from one pickup to one drop-off with no train transfers, no platform coordination, and no one driving home from the park-and-ride after a four-hour game.
What Size Party Bus or Charter Bus Rental Fits Your Group?
A group of 15 is a different operation than a group of 50, and the right vehicle makes a real difference in comfort and cost per head. Here is how the full vehicle lineup breaks down for a game-day run from the Centennial area to Empower Field.
| Vehicle | Typical seats | Tailgate gear storage | Best for | Key amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinter van / 14-passenger Sprinter limo | Up to 14 | Modest — small bags and gear | Suite groups, small VIP crews, quick runs | Leather seating, USB charging, tinted privacy windows |
| Party bus (15–50 passengers) | 15–50 | Onboard; lighter gear | Fan groups wanting the rolling tailgate | Built-in bar, color-changing LED lighting, Bluetooth sound, flat-panel TVs, wraparound seating |
| 15–35 passenger minibus | 15–35 | Overhead bins plus underfloor storage | Corporate outings, fan clubs, organized groups | Powerful A/C, reclining seats, overhead storage, WiFi |
| 40–56 passenger charter bus | Up to 56 | Excellent — deep undercarriage bays | Large groups, long hauls, gear-heavy tailgates | Reclining seats, climate control, overhead bins, WiFi, power outlets, onboard restroom, undercarriage luggage bays |
For Broncos games specifically, fan groups who want the rolling tailgate — bar onboard, Bluetooth sound cranked up, orange-and-blue LED lighting lit — tend toward the 15- to 50-passenger party bus. For large corporate outings, fan clubs, or groups coming from Parker or Castle Rock who want the most comfortable 30-mile ride up I-25, a full-size charter bus gives you the undercarriage bays for folding chairs and tailgate gear plus an onboard restroom. ADA-accessible vehicles are available — just mention the need when you request your quote.
Empower Field at Mile High Bus Rental Prices
Every quote through this site is all-inclusive and shows pricing in under 30 seconds. The exact number depends on a few clear variables:
- Vehicle size — a 56-passenger charter bus and a 14-passenger Sprinter limo sit at different price points.
- Total hours — how long the vehicle is dedicated to your group, including the drive from Centennial, tailgate time, the game, and the post-game pickup window.
- Date and demand — a primetime Sunday Night Football game against a division rival prices differently than a mid-week preseason game.
- Pickup location and mileage — the run from Centennial or Highlands Ranch is longer than a downtown Denver pickup, and the quote reflects that.
To give you an idea — these are planning ranges, not guaranteed quotes or current market rates: Sprinter limos and vans run $160–$400/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $150–$280/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $200–$380/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $280–$500/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. Pricing varies by date, itinerary, and vehicle type. See the Centennial party bus prices page for more context, or call 720-452-0280 any time for a free, all-inclusive quote at no obligation.
Here's a quick example to give you a sense of the per-person math: a 30-person fan group on a 30-passenger party bus for a 7-hour game-day rental — pickup at 2:30 p.m. from a Centennial parking lot, at the stadium by 4 p.m., post-game pickup at 10 p.m. and back by 11 — might run around $1,800–$2,200 all-inclusive. That's roughly $60–$73 per person, with the I-25 drive, the designated driver, and the post-game scramble all handled. Four cars at $55 parking each plus gas and rideshare home tends to land in a similar neighborhood — with none of the coordination problems solved and at least four people who can't have a drink during the game.
Once you split the cost of one bus across 25 or 30 people, the per-head number often beats separate cars. That's before counting the three people who had to stay sober to drive, the four separate parking passes, and the post-game rideshare surge on I-25 southbound. One flat bus rate covers all of it.
Getting to Empower Field from Centennial and the South Suburbs
Centennial sits roughly 22 miles south of Empower Field via I-25 northbound, and that stretch of highway is the defining logistical fact of Broncos game day for the entire south suburban metro. Off-peak on a Tuesday afternoon it's a 35-minute straight shot. Here is a realistic distance and timing reference from common origins in the metro area, all before game-day traffic is factored in.
| From… | Approx. distance | Typical off-peak drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial (Arapahoe Rd / I-25 area) | ~22 miles | 30–40 minutes |
| Highlands Ranch | ~25 miles | 35–45 minutes |
| Parker | ~33 miles | 40–50 minutes |
| Aurora (DTC / Arapahoe area) | ~20 miles | 30–40 minutes |
| Castle Rock | ~40 miles | 45–55 minutes |
| Lakewood | ~9 miles | 15–25 minutes |
| Arvada / Westminster | ~14 miles | 20–30 minutes |
On Broncos game days, those numbers are planning fiction. Add 30–60 minutes minimum to any GPS estimate for a sold-out regular-season game, and more for primetime matchups where the entire south metro leaves at the same time. I-25 northbound can back up from the C-470 interchange all the way through the downtown approach for major games, and the southbound return after the final whistle extends the same backup past the Highlands Ranch exits.
For groups coming from Parker or Castle Rock, the post-game return home through that stretch is a real consideration when planning your booking window.
What's On at Empower Field at Mile High in 2026
Empower Field runs a full year-round calendar, and each event type draws a different group transportation dynamic:
- Denver Broncos regular season. The NFL home slate runs from preseason in August through the regular season (September–January), with potential playoffs extending further. Primetime and nationally televised home games — Sunday Night Football, Monday Night Football, Thursday Night Football — drain the south suburban vehicle supply fastest, because the entire metro leaves for the stadium in the same two-hour window. For those games specifically, book as early as your date is confirmed.
- Stadium-scale concerts. Empower Field hosts major touring artists during the offseason when the stadium floor converts to a general admission layout. Concert nights bring the same Bryant Street traffic and advance parking requirement as game days, and the crowd often draws from farther out in the metro. A concert party bus rental takes the group straight to the gates and picks everyone up when the set ends. For a different kind of outdoor concert, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre group guide covers the mountain venue experience. For Fiddler's Green in Greenwood Village — right in the Centennial area — see the Fiddler's Green group transportation guide.
- College football events. The stadium has hosted major college football games, and the parking and approach logistics follow the same pattern as NFL game days.
For Broncos game days during primetime windows, the right-size vehicles from the south suburban area book out well in advance. Call 720-452-0280 as soon as your game date is on the calendar to lock in availability and confirm parking for your group.
Tips for Visiting Empower Field at Mile High
- Buy parking before game day. Broncos parking passes sell out for sold-out games, and there is no reliable day-of overflow option for most lot types. The Broncos open parking sales as soon as the season schedule is published — do not wait until game week, especially for December matchups or any nationally televised home game.
- Follow the NFL clear-bag policy. Each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ (or a one-gallon clear ziplock), plus a small non-clear clutch no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″. Backpacks, opaque bags, and fanny packs are not permitted. Bag check is available near the stadium gates. Verify the current policy on the official Empower Field page before game day.
- Dress in actual layers, not optional ones. Empower Field is an open-air stadium at roughly 5,280 feet elevation. A September afternoon game can run 80°F in the sun and 50°F by the fourth quarter. A late November or December home game has been played in genuine snowfall more than once. Visitors from out of the area who pack for a Southern California football game typically spend the second half huddled under a stadium blanket they did not bring.
- Arrive early for the full tailgate window. Stadium lots for Broncos games typically open about three and a half hours before kickoff. For primetime and playoff-atmosphere games, arriving closer to four hours out gives your group the best lot positioning and a full tailgate window before the traffic management kicks in around the parking areas.
- Gates open 90 minutes before kickoff. Factor that into your pickup schedule when you set your post-tailgate arrival plan — especially if your group is coming from Parker or Castle Rock and wants to be seated before the opening drive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Renting a Bus to Empower Field at Mile High
Where does a charter bus or party bus drop off at Empower Field?
Charter buses and oversized vehicles drop off along the stadium's perimeter road system, with Bryant Street on the west side of the stadium serving as the primary drop-off corridor. The exact curb and lot assignment for your bus are based on your advance parking pass purchase and the game-day traffic plan for your specific event. Because those assignments shift by game, the routing for your date is confirmed when you book.
Check the official Empower Field parking page for the current lot map and approach road details before game day.
Does a charter bus need its own parking pass at Empower Field?
Yes. Standard car passes do not cover charter buses and oversized vehicles. Buses need a separate oversized-vehicle parking pass, purchased in advance through the Broncos' official parking system.
Day-of availability for bus parking is not reliably available for sold-out games, and the Broncos sell out consistently. Secure the bus parking pass when you book the vehicle — not the week of the game.
How much does a party bus or charter bus rental to Empower Field cost?
Pricing depends on vehicle size, total hours reserved (including tailgate time and post-game staging), the specific game date, and mileage from your Centennial or south suburban pickup. To give you an idea: Sprinter vans and limos run $160–$400/hour; 15–20 passenger party buses run $150–$280/hour; 20–30 passenger party buses run $200–$380/hour; 35–50 passenger party buses and minibuses run $280–$500/hour; and 40–56 passenger charter buses run $150–$300/hour or $1,200–$2,500/day. Pricing varies by date, itinerary, and vehicle.
Get an all-inclusive quote in under 30 seconds online, or call 720-452-0280 for a live quote on your exact date and group size.
How far is Centennial from Empower Field at Mile High?
Approximately 22 miles north via I-25. Off-peak, that's a 30–40 minute drive. On Broncos game days, add 30–60 minutes to that estimate for sold-out games — I-25 northbound backs up from the County Line Road area to the stadium corridors on major Sundays, and the southbound return after the final whistle runs the same pattern.
Can groups take RTD light rail from Centennial to the stadium?
Yes. Empower Field at Mile High has its own RTD light rail station served by the C, E, and W lines. From Centennial, park-and-ride lots at RTD stations along the I-25 corridor give south suburban fans access to light rail heading into the stadium.
Check the official RTD trip planner for current schedules, fares, and the best boarding point for your specific address. RTD is a great call for one to four people who live near a station — for a group of 20 or more, the post-game packed platform and the coordination to get everyone onto the same train are where a private bus makes more sense.
How early should groups leave Centennial for a Broncos game?
For a full tailgate, plan to arrive at the stadium lot three to four hours before kickoff — and add your off-peak drive time from Centennial (roughly 35–40 minutes) plus a 30–45 minute buffer for game-day I-25 traffic. For nationally televised primetime games, add more. The worst thing that happens if you leave too early is you get a great tailgate spot.
The worst thing that happens if you leave too late is you miss the first quarter in traffic.
What's the bag policy at Empower Field at Mile High?
The stadium follows the NFL standard clear-bag policy: each guest may bring one clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bag no larger than 12″ × 6″ × 12″ or a one-gallon clear ziplock, plus a small clutch no larger than 4.5″ × 6.5″. Backpacks, opaque bags, and fanny packs are not allowed at the gates. Bag check is available near the stadium entrances.
Confirm the current policy on the official stadium page before your visit.
Are ADA-accessible buses available for Empower Field trips?
Yes — ADA-accessible vehicles are available. Note your accessibility needs when requesting a quote, and the right vehicle can be arranged. At the stadium, accessible parking and ADA entry points are available — check the official Empower Field stadium page for specific accessible parking lot designations and gate locations for your game.
What happens post-game when 76,000 fans leave at once?
Post-game at Empower Field is the single most painful part of the trip for groups who drove or relied on rideshare. The lots empty under police-directed one-way traffic flows, rideshare wait times spike and surge pricing kicks in across the metro, and RTD trains leave the station standing-room-only in both directions. A bus handles all of it differently: the vehicle is staged nearby during the game with a pre-arranged post-game pickup window set before the group ever splits up.
When your group walks out of the gates, the bus is right there — not three blocks away in a surge queue. Everyone boards, and the bus handles I-25 southbound while your group recaps the game instead of watching brake lights.
Can groups book a bus for other Denver venues on the same trip?
Absolutely. Multi-stop itineraries are easy to build. If your group is starting the night in LoDo before the game, or wants to hit multiple Denver venues across a weekend, the bus handles the whole itinerary.
For other Denver venue guides on this site, see the Ball Arena group transportation guide for Nuggets and Avalanche games, the Coors Field guide for Rockies games, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre guide for outdoor concerts. For Colorado Rapids matches on the other side of the metro, the Dick's Sporting Goods Park guide covers Commerce City transportation.
How far in advance should a bus be booked for a Broncos game?
The earlier the better, especially for primetime and division-rivalry home games. For a standard early-season Sunday game with reasonable availability, two to four weeks of lead time is workable. For primetime matchups, playoff-atmosphere late-season games, or any game where the Broncos are expected to be in Super Bowl contention, the best vehicles from the south suburban area go first.
Call 720-452-0280 as soon as your game date is confirmed to lock in availability and the parking pass together.
Book Your Empower Field at Mile High Party Bus or Charter Bus Rental Today
The right bus for your Broncos game day — or any Empower Field event — is one quick quote request away. Whether it's a 20-person fan group from Centennial wanting the rolling tailgate on a party bus with a built-in bar and LED lights, a 50-person corporate outing on a charter bus with undercarriage bays for the tailgate gear, or a Sprinter van for a small crew heading to a suite, Centennialpartybuscompany.com helps you compare options from transportation providers serving the Denver metro area. Your group rides together, the I-25 game-day problem is handled, and the post-game pickup is set before you ever buy your tailgate supplies.
Call 720-452-0280 any time for a free, all-inclusive quote — or use the online tool to check pricing in under 30 seconds. For more Denver-area group transportation guides, see the Ball Arena guide, the Denver International Airport shuttle guide, and the Red Rocks Amphitheatre guide for every other reason your group ends up heading into Denver from the south suburbs.
