DENVER — The biggest scoreboard in Colorado is ready to make its debut for Broncos Country.
The Denver Broncos will officially use their new videoboard atop the South Stands of Empower Field at Mile High on Saturday when the Broncos host the Los Angeles Rams in their preseason home opener.
Construction of the scoreboard began in January as part of $100 million in upgrades to the Broncos' stadium this offseason.
The Broncos also made improvements to the stadium's suites, technology, concessions, the Broncos Team Store and elevators over the offseason. The construction was the single-largest capital improvement in the stadium's 22-year history.
Knowing that the team competes with fans watching on a flat-screen television at home on the couch, the Broncos have made their scoreboard the fifth largest in an NFL stadium at 72 feet high and 225 feet wide. The videoboard is now 70% larger than last year's and nearly doubled in height.
The Broncos said the scoreboard is now the tallest in North America.
The Broncos said the increased screen surface area will allow for "real-time statistics, hi-definition replays and enhanced in-game entertainment." The south scoreboard, as well as the two other in-bowl videoboards and ribbon boards, have been upgraded to High Dynamic Range (HDR) displays.
Empower Field scoreboard construction
Bucky the Bronco, the horse that has stood watch over the Broncos' stadium since 1975, was temporarily removed in January during construction. The 27-foot-tall fiberglass horse was lifted by crane and returned to the top of the South Stands in May after the stadium's new video screen was installed.
Bucky originally stood on the south stands' scoreboard at Mile High Stadium before being removed in 2001 and moved to then-Invesco Field at Mile High with a fresh coat of paint. Bucky the Bronco was modeled after Trigger, the famous horse in Roy Rogers' Western films.
Technology
The scoreboard's video control room at Empower Field at Mile High has been rebuilt with new technology and a conversion to HDR, while tunnel boards will also undergo significant enhancements.
In 2024, the Broncos will make another upgrade to the stadium's WiFi.
Broncos team store
The Broncos' team store at Empower Field at Mile High was closed over the offseason as part of the renovation.
The store has been expanded by 25%, or 3,000 square feet, with more point-of-sale systems and expanded checkout areas. For the first time ever, customer restrooms have been installed in the store.
The Broncos will open the store at Empower Field at Mile High for the first time from noon to 5 p.m. Friday and on Saturday from 3 p.m. until after the Broncos game.
This year, the store will have exclusive items that will be available only at a certain game. There will also be a line of "snowcapped" gear to go with the Broncos' new alternate white helmet.
The Broncos said the new store was designed to be more customer-friendly with more checkouts and worker-friendly with the ability to restock popular items more quickly on game days. Some of the most popular items on game days include hats, jerseys, clear bags and foam fingers.
Expanded Broncos team store
South deck
The south deck of Empower Field at Mile High has permanent concessions for the first time ever.
Murals
Empower Field at Mile High will have new artwork throughout the stadium this season.
Four murals from local Colorado artists can be seen around the 100-level concourse, including a large mural from artist Detour, featuring Broncos in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, on the southside of the stadium outside the team store.
There will also be new framed photos and paintings throughout the club level.
Concession stands
Additional concession enhancements have been made to Levels 1, 2, 3 and 5.
The Broncos said the stadium has expanded concession technology with the "largest deployment of autonomous markets of any sports venue."
Empower Field at Mile High will have 12 local restaurants throughout the concourses this season with many new and returning concession items for fans.
New for the 2023 season, the Broncos have lowered the cost of several gameday staples to $5. The "Mile High Favs" menu includes hot dog, nachos, pretzel, popcorn, Dasani water bottle, and 20-ounce bottled soft drinks.
Several concession stands outside section 107 have been transformed into the "Mountain Pass" self-service food zone where fans can grab their favorite food and drinks and check out at kiosks.
The Broncos said the goal is to speed up the time it takes fans to get concessions so they can get back to their seats more quickly.
A look at some new menu items at Empower Field at Mile High
Elevators
Two new elevators were installed on both the east and west sides of the stadium.
Breckenridge Bourbon Club
The Breckenridge Bourbon Club will make its debut at Empower Field at Mile High this season. The "premium experience" features a 9,040 square-foot ground-floor space on the east side of the football stadium.
Members of the Breckenridge Bourbon Club will have exclusive access, all-inclusive food and beverage, complimentary parking, and 100-level stadium bowl seats.
The club will receive gameday visits from Broncos alumni, Broncos cheerleaders and mascot Miles.
There will also be a personalized drink locker, complimentary grab-and-go snack and drink stations, Breckenridge Bourbon-branded décor and Broncos memorabilia.
Club members will also be enrolled in Broncos Plus, an additional rewards program for season ticket members that offers discounts and experiences.
Fans can request to enroll as Breckenridge Bourbon Club members with an online form.
Breckenridge Bourbon Club
"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," said Broncos' President Damani Leech. "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.
"We are excited to announce these upgrades to Empower Field at Mile High and are grateful for the support of our ownership group, the Metropolitan Football Stadium District and the National Football League."
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