Tag: Empower Field At Mile High

Broncos announce limited capacity, mask requirement for 2020 games

The Broncos announced Wednesday that fans will have to wear masks at Empower Field at Mile High this season.

The Denver Broncos announced in a memo to season ticket holders on Wednesday that capacity will be limited at Empower Field at Mile High this season. Fans who do not want to attend games because of the COVID-19 pandemic will be given refunds or credit toward their 2021 tickets.

Season ticket holders have until Aug. 14 — the day before the originally scheduled start of preseason — to opt-out of attending games this season. Fans who do attend games will be required to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

The team has “also taken other proactive measures to increase the cleanliness of our stadium, adding cashless concession options, touchless bathroom fixtures, sanitation stations and the latest air purification technology,” according to part of the memo.

The memo makes it clear this season will be a unique one. The memo also makes it clear the team is still planning for a fall season. The end of the letter says, “We look forward to a successful — and safe — 2020 season.”

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Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will wear masks on sideline this season

Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will wear masks on the sideline during games this season.

As the NFL continues to plan a season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the league has revealed several protocols put in place in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

After games, players won’t be allowed to interact with opponents closer than six feet away — and jersey swaps won’t be allowed. While on the sideline during games, Broncos personnel (besides players and coaches) will have to wear masks, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Denver hasn’t announced yet if fans will have to wear masks to attend games but the Steelers have made a decision. If fans are allowed to attend games this year, fans in Pittsburgh will have to wear masks at Heinz Field, the Steelers announced.

The Ravens have announced that no more than 14,000 fans a week will attend games at their stadium this season. The Broncos have not yet announced any capacity limits for Empower Field at Mile High.

If games are played in Denver without fans, season ticket holders will receive refunds or credits for future games at the Broncos’ stadium.

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As of now, NFL ‘planning to have full stadiums’ in 2020

The NFL is still planning to play games with fans this fall.

Sports league across the world were put on hold by COVID-19 this spring and some are now beginning to resume play without fans.

The NFL has maintained that they plan to start their season on time this fall. The NFL season might have fans in attendance, too.

“We are planning to have full stadiums until the medical community tells us otherwise,” NFL EVP of Football Operations Troy Vincent said on The Team 980 last week, according to NBC Sports Washington. “Now remember when we’re talking — we’re talking about September, August, September. So there’s a lot that can happen here. So we’re planning for full stadiums.”

If the Broncos play games without fans, they will offer season ticket holders future credit or refunds. Forbes has estimated that the team would miss out on $162 million if they play games without fans at Empower Field at Mile High this season.

The NFL is also considering the possibility of limiting attendance.

“We also know that we have to plan for half stadiums. Three-quarters. So we’re planning for all of these different scenarios,” Vincent said.

“But first and foremost, we’re making every effort, working with the medical community, if we can have those stadiums with all people until they tell us otherwise when that time comes, that’s our plan. That’s our plan of action.”

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Forbes: Broncos could miss out on $162 million if games are played without fans

Broncos would lose a little more than 36% of their expected 2020 revenue if they have to play games without fans.

The NFL has said multiple times that the league remains hopeful that the 2020 season will start on time despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

While starting on time seemingly remains a possibility, the NFL might have to play games without fans in attendance. That would result in a massive hit in revenue generated from ticket sales, concessions, parking, merchandise and in-stadium sponsorships.

If the league has to play games without fans in stands, the NFL would miss out on $5.5 billion, according to an estimate from Forbes’ Mike Ozanian.

That estimate might actually be a little low because Forbes generated that total based on revenue from the 2018 season, not 2019. That $5.5 billion would represent 38% of the league’s total revenue.

The Denver Broncos specifically would miss out on $162 million if they play games without fans at Empower Field at Mile High this season, according to Forbes. That represents a little more than 36% of the team’s total revenue of $446 million (based on 2018 totals).

Denver can only hope that things get better in time for the season.

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Broncos fans aren’t happy with stadium naming rights partner for supporting Chiefs

Broncos fans aren’t happy with Empower Retirement for congratulating the Chiefs on their Super Bowl berth.

The Broncos found a new stadium naming rights partner last year, securing a deal with Empower Retirement to name their stadium “Empower Field at Mile High.” The new sponsor hasn’t exactly endeared itself to fans in Denver.

The Broncos aren’t Empower Retirement’s only NFL partner — the company also works with the Patriots and Chiefs, something that hasn’t been well-received by fans in Denver.

After Kansas City defeated the Titans in the AFC title game on Sunday, Empower Retirement tweeted a congratulations message to their partner.

As one would expect, Broncos fans weren’t too happy about the team’s stadium naming rights partner supporting a division rival.

The Broncos announced a 21-year stadium naming rights deal with Empower Retirement last September. The deal, which runs through the 2039 season, helps the team pay for upkeep and improvements for the facility. The stadium will need several upgrades if Denver is going to host 2026 World Cup matches.

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