DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Broncos are looking to make the move to a new home stadium soon.
While it’s a cause for celebration for many team and government officials, it’s impossible to overlook some of the biggest moments throughout the history of the Broncos current home: Empower Field at Mile High.
From a historic presidential nomination to one of the best NFL games in history and some memorable concert moments, here is a look at six historic moments at Empower Field.
First game: Sept. 10, 2001, vs. New York Giants
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10 Sep 2001: A shot of the big screen during opening ceremonies before the game between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Giants 31-20.Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport -
10 Sep 2001: The Broncos defeated the Giants 31-20 at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT -
10 Sep 2001: The exterior of Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium taken before the game between the New York Giants and the Denver Broncos in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Giants 31-20. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/Allsport -
10 Sep 2001: A Bronco fan with a sign. The Broncos defeated the Giants 31-20 at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT
Right from the start of the Broncos run at Empower Field at Mile High in 2001, then called Invesco Field at Mile High, the team was making history.
The Broncos beat the New York Giants 31-20 to open the first season at their new home, but it was the date of the game that has stuck out in history: one day before the 9/11 terror attack in New York City.
Obama accepts 2008 Democratic presidential nomination
In one of the single-most historic political moments of modern American history, Barack Obama in 2008 became the first Black candidate for president of a major political party, and he accepted the nomination right here in Denver.
Then-Invesco Field hosted the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 28, 2008, where Obama would begin his eventually successful campaign as president.
‘Mile High Miracle’: One of the best NFL games in history
Empower Field has also hosted what the NFL has dubbed one of the best games in league history. The Baltimore Ravens’ 2012 Super Bowl-winning season became legend in their January 12, 2013, underdog game against the Broncos.
The game is also one of the longest NFL games in history. Ravens’ Joe Flacco threw a game-tying “desperation pass down the sideline that was miraculously caught by Jacoby Jones,” a play that gave the game its namesake: “The Mile High Miracle.”
The Ravens went on to beat the Broncos 38-35 on a second-overtime field goal.
An Evening With the Eagles: First event at stadium
Nearly a month before the Broncos debuted in their first season at the stadium, legendary band The Eagles performed during the first event to be held at the new stadium on Aug. 11, 2001.
It was part of their An Evening With the Eagles tour.
Longest field goal in NFL history
On Dec. 8, 2013, kicker Matt Prater lined up for the Denver Broncos and hit a 64-yard field goal just before halftime against the Tennessee Titans. While the Broncos were losing at the time, they rushed the field, as it was the longest field goal in NFL history at the time, according to NFL records.
Prater’s record has since been surpassed, but he made a name for himself just this week when he hit the game-winning field goal for the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Ed Sheeran sets attendance record
In 2023, worldwide superstar artist Ed Sheeran set a record for Empower Field with the highest attendance for an event at the stadium.
On his “+-=÷x Tour” — also called “The Mathematics Tour” — 85,233 people attended his Denver stop.
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