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| Invesco Field/Mile High Stadium | |
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| Location | 1701 Mile High Stadium Circle Denver, Colorado 80204-1981 |
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| Broke ground | 1999 |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Owner | Denver Metropolitan Football Stadium District |
| Operator | Stadium Management Company |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction cost | $364.2 million |
| Architect | HNTB |
| Capacity | 76,125 |
| Tenants | |
| Colorado Rapids (MLS) (2001-2006) Denver Broncos (NFL) (2001-present) Denver Outlaws (MLL) (2006-present) Rocky Mountain Showdown Democratic National Convention (2008) |
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Invesco Field at Mile High is a stadium in Denver, Colorado. Invesco Field at Mile High replaced the identically sized, but commercially obsolete Mile High Stadium (named for the fact that Denver is exactly one mile above sea level) in 2001. The stadium is best known as the home of the Denver Broncos of the NFL.
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Naming rights controversy
Many fans opposed a corporate name and wished to retain the previous venue's name, "Mile High Stadium."[1] The Denver Post initially refused to use the Invesco label and referred to it as Mile High for several years before changing their policy and adding INVESCO to articles. Post columnist Woody Paige created more controversy when he revealed that Invesco officials referred to the stadium as "the Diaphragm," a reference to its shape resembling that of a birth-control device.
Usage
Invesco Field at Mile High is used primarily for football games. It is the home field for Denver's NFL team, the Denver Broncos. The stadium also hosts the city's Major League Lacrosse team, the Denver Outlaws. In college football it has hosted the rivalry game between the Colorado State Rams and the Colorado Buffaloes. Invesco Field at Mile High is also used for concerts and other events. It was the former home of the city's Major League Soccer franchise, the Colorado Rapids.
Location
Invesco Field at Mile High marks the completion of a six–year sporting venue upgrade program in Denver, including Coors Field and the Pepsi Center. As with the other venues, the stadium was constructed to be easily accessible. It sits along Interstate 25 near the Colfax Avenue and 17th Avenue exits. It is also bordered by Federal Boulevard, a major Denver thoroughfare, on the west side. A dedicated light rail station also serves the stadium. The stadium is located in the Sun Valley neighborhood.
Stadium culture
A home game tradition (carried over from the original Mile High Stadium) is the "Incomplete Chant". At Bronco home games, when the opposing team has an incomplete pass, the announcer will say "And the pass is ..." to which the fans respond "in-com-plete!", followed by a muted trumpet sound effect.[citation needed]
Notable events
The first ever event at the new stadium was a concert by the rock group Eagles.[citation needed] On September 10, 2001 Invesco Field at Mile High hosted its first regular season game, in which the Denver Broncos defeated the New York Giants 31–20. In a pre-game ceremony Broncos legends John Elway, Steve Atwater, Randy Gradishar, Haven Moses, Billy Thompson, Floyd Little, Dennis Smith, and Karl Mecklenburg helped to "Move the Thunder" from the old Mile High Stadium to the new home of the Broncos.[citation needed]
On August, 3, 2003 Heavy Metal Band Metallica played to a sold out crowd of almost 100,000 people.
In August 2004 the stadium hosted the Drum Corps International Division I World Championships.[citation needed]
On July 2, 2005 Invesco Field at Mile High hosted the 2005 Major League Lacrosse All-Star Game. In 2006, Major League Lacrosse placed the expansion Outlaws in Denver.[citation needed]
On January 23rd, 2006 Invesco Field at Mile High hosted the AFC Championship game.
On October 29th, 2007, a record crowd of 77,160 watched the Broncos lose to the Green Bay Packers 19-13 on Monday Night Football.
On August 28, 2008, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for President of the United States at Invesco Field, moving the 2008 Democratic National Convention from the Pepsi Center. Approximately 84,000 people attended Obama's speech, exceeding the normal capacity of the stadium due to the placement of audience on the field. [2][3][4][5]
Denver Broncos Ring of Fame
- Quarterback John Elway (1983-1998), 1999 Inductee
- Safety Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin (1960–1966), 1984 Inductee
- Linebacker Randy Gradishar (1974–1983), 1989 Inductee
- Defensive End Rich Jackson (1967–1972), 1984 Inductee
- Linebacker Tom Jackson (1973–1986), 1992 Inductee
- Quarterback Charley Johnson (1972–1975), 1986 Inductee
- Running Back Floyd Little (1967–1975), 1984 Inductee
- Linebacker Karl Mecklenburg (1983–1994), 2001 Inductee
- Quarterback Craig Morton (1977–1982), 1988 Inductee
- Wide Receiver Haven Moses (1972–1981), 1988 Inductee
- Former Owner Gerald H. Phipps, 1985 Inductee
- Safety Dennis Smith (1981–1994), 2001 Inductee
- Defensive End Paul Smith (1968–1978), 1986 Inductee
- Wide Receiver Lionel Taylor (1960–1966), 1984 Inductee
- Defensive Back Bill Thompson (1969–1981), 1987 Inductee
- Quarterback Frank Tripucka (1960–1963), 1986 Inductee
- Kicker Jim Turner (1971–1979), 1988 Inductee
- Cornerback Louis Wright (1975–1986), 1993 Inductee
- Tackle Gary Zimmerman (1993–1997), 2003 Inductee
- Free Safety Steve Atwater (1989–1998), 2005 Inductee
- Running Back Terrell Davis (1995–2001), 2007 Inductee[6]
While the ring of fame was carried over from the old stadium to the new, the names were re-ordered to segregate the pre-Pat Bowlen (the team's owner and founder of the Ring) era and the post-Bowlen era. One of the most noticeable changes was the move of John Elway's name to the center of the ring, in-between the goalposts of the North endzone.[7]
References
- ^ Gregory E. Favre (August 10, 2006). "A Mile High Controversy". Retrieved on 2006-09-25.
- ^ "Obama accepts Democrat nomination", BBC News, BBC (2008-08-29). Retrieved on 29 August 2008.
- ^ "Obama greeted by screaming crowd at stadium". The Associated Press (2008-08-28). Retrieved on 2008-08-29.
- ^ Lloyd, Robert (2008-08-29). "Barack Obama, Al Gore raise the roof at Invesco Field". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.
- ^ Wangsness, Lisa (2008-08-29). "Some saw spectacular, others just spectacle". The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2008-08-29.
- ^ Denver Broncos website
- ^ Kyle Ringo. "Kickoff: Birth of a Stadium". Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
External links
| Preceded by Mile High Stadium |
Home of the Denver Broncos 2001 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Mile High Stadium |
Home of the Colorado Rapids 2002 – 2006 |
Succeeded by Dick's Sporting Goods Park |
| Preceded by Citrus Bowl |
Host of the Drum Corps International World Championship 2004 |
Succeeded by Gillette Stadium |
| Preceded by FleetCenter |
Host of the Democratic National Convention 2008 (Final night) |
Succeeded by TBD |
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Getting closer to Invesco Field
Author: denverbengal
Keywords: 12-Untitled
Added: November 19, 2008
Judge not lest ye be judged
Protester letting the crowd have it while waiting in line to see Barack at Invesco Field
Author: denverbengal
Keywords: 10-Untitled
Added: November 19, 2008
Looking for the end of the line
The line to Invesco Field to see Barack
Author: denverbengal
Keywords: 07-Untitled
Added: November 19, 2008
A Change Would Do Us Good - Sheryl Crowe Live From Invesco
Sheryl Crowe performs "A Change Would Do Us Good" live at Invesco Field, on the final day of the Democratic National Convention, 8/28/08, Denver, CO
Author: Liqsta
Keywords: Sheryl Crowe AChangeWouldDoUsGood Change Obama Obama-Biden music Invesco DNC Demcoratic 8/28 Denver
Added: November 12, 2008
Intro of players at Denver Broncos Football Game
Introduction of the Denver Broncos' 2007 offense
Author: millercole42
Keywords: Denver Broncos Invesco Field at Mile High NFL Stadium Pregame player introductions
Added: November 11, 2008