Colorado Sports Teams

Denver Sports Teams Fans Can't Miss

Population wise, Denver is the smallest city in the country with five major professional sports teams — that should tell you something about the way Coloradans feel about their athletics. From NFL, NHL and NBA championships to sold out regular-season matchups, there’s a lively sporting event for every type of fan in Denver year-round.

Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium

Nestled in the heart of Denver’s Sun Valley neighborhood, Empower Field at Mile High stands as a blue-and-orange monument to the three-time Super Bowl champions. A Broncos tailgate is the undisputed place to be, as barbecue smoke drifts into Colorado’s bluebird skies, the friendliest fans in the land swap high-fives, while cornhole and putting games take over the lots. Out-of-state fans are welcome to join the fun — just come ready dressed in color with a loud “Go Broncos!” Little Machine Beer, just a stone’s throw away from the stadium, is another happening scene before kickoff.  

Broncos tickets

Broncos game schedule 

Transportation & parking: Mile High offers ample on-site and nearby paid parking, with lots opening 4.5 hours before the game begins. The stadium is also easily accessible via RTD Light Rail, with the Empower Field at Mile High–Decatur–Federal Station just a short walk from the gates.

Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena

Denver’s status as a premier sports town is cemented by the proximity of its champions. A short trip from Broncos turf across I-25 leads you to Ball Arena, where the three-time Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche take the ice. Defined by a relentless, fast-paced style of play, an Avalanche game is an energizing spectacle with quirky mid-game singalongs that bring that good ol’ hockey game to life.

Avalanche tickets

Avalanche game schedule 

Transportation & parking: Ball Arena has several surface lots that open 3 hours prior to the start of a game and nearby garages in downtown Denver, with prices varying by event and arrival time. It’s also conveniently served by RTD Light Rail, with Ball Arena–Elitch Gardens Station located directly across the street for easy access.

Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

Ball Arena does some heavy lifting with the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets also calling it home. The Nuggets are the gold standard — pun intended — of the Western Conference, characterized by a selfless offense that flows through their three-time MVP Nikola Jokić. Between plays, Denver’s beloved SuperMascot Rocky flips, rappels, tumbles and roller skates across Ball Arena, casually redefining what a mascot can do.

Nuggets tickets

Nuggets game schedule 

Ball Arena’s $5-dollar menu features hot dogs, popcorn and pretzels, meaning you can save money for pre-game appetizers and drinks at Brooklyn's at Ball Arena or nearby Larimer Square. 

Colorado Rockies at Coors Field

At the heart of Denver’s historical LoDo neighborhood, Coors Field’s red-brick façade signals you’ve arrived in Rockies territory. One of the National League’s oldest ballparks, it mixes timeless Americana baseball with Colorado personality — think purple-and-orange sunsets dropping behind the Rocky Mountains with altitude-powered home runs for days. Come hungry: Coors Field food favorites include brisket mac and cheese on The Rooftop, Tornadough cinnamon pretzels and the legendary Rocky Mountain Oysters. 

Rockies tickets

Rockies game schedule 

Transportation and parking: Coors Field is surrounded by numerous parking garages and surface lots throughout downtown Denver, with additional street parking available nearby. It's a pro move to buy parking online ahead of the game. The stadium is also easily reached via RTD Light Rail, with Union Station and 18th & California Station a short, festive walk away — perfect for grabbing salty peanuts along the way.

Next door, McGregor Square is Denver’s go-to outdoor sports hub, where fans pack in to watch marquee games.

Colorado Rapids at DICK’s Sporting Good Park 

As one of the MLS "Original 10," the Colorado Rapids bring a gritty, homegrown energy to the pitch. Catching a match at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park means scoring killer mountain views and sharp sightlines without having to empty your wallet for a premium experience. When the Rapids secure a win, the stadium unites for a rowdy rendition of “Rocky Mountain High.” It’s a local rite of passage that just hits a little differently when you’re belting it out at 5,280 feet.

Rapids Tickets (Note: Tickets can only be purchased online) 

Rapids Schedule 

Parking & transportation: Parking is included with a ticket purchase, so no additional parking fee is required. Fans can also take RTD Light Rail’s A Line to Central Park Station and connect to the stadium via event-day shuttles or a short rideshare.

For even more soccer, head south to Weidner Field and cheer on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, who captured their first USL Championship title in 2024.

Colorado Mammoth at Ball Arena

Denver has cemented itself as a lacrosse hotbed, shattering the myth that LAX is strictly an East Coast affair. The Colorado Mammoth, who transform Ball Arena into the "Loud House," captured two NLL Cup Championships in 2006 and 2022. With a history of sold-out crowds, the Mammoth have proven that the Mile High City is the undisputed Lacrosse Capital of the West.

Mammoth Tickets

Mammoth Schedule 

Denver Summit FC

Denver Summit FC is Colorado’s new NWSL expansion club, launching in 2026 and bringing top-tier women’s pro soccer to the Front Range. The club amps up the state’s already buzzing soccer scene, led by hometown star Lindsey Horan Heaps. A U.S. Women’s National Team player, she helped win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and competed on the world stage at the 2023 World Cup and in the Olympic games.

Summit FC tickets

Denver Onyx at Infinity Park

If you prefer your sports with a bit more scrum and a lot less padding, Denver’s rugby scene is for you. As founding members of Women’s Elite Rugby (WER) — the first professional women’s rugby league in the U.S. — the Denver Onyx rule Infinity Park in Glendale, an intimate venue just outside of Denver where fans can meet players after the match. The Onyx dominated the pitch to win the league's inaugural 2025 Legacy Cup Championship, proving that "RugbyTown USA" is alive, well and officially powered by the toughest women in Colorado.

Denver Onyx Schedule & Tickets (Note: Tickets can only be purchased online)

Parking & transportation: Infinity Park offers free parking on a first-come, first-served basis, with overflow parking available nearby.

College Game Day in Colorado

When Saturday rolls around, the collegiate spirit is a full-throttle experience that spans from the gridiron to the ice. In Boulder, CU Football game days are defined by the "Coach Prime" era’s high-energy swagger and the most commanding tradition in college sports: Ralphie’s Run, where a live 1,200-pound bison leads the Buffaloes onto Folsom Field at a full gallop.

Once the sun sets and the temps cool, the focus shifts to the rink, where the "Battle for the Gold Pan" keeps a decades-old rivalry in Colorado hot. The University of Denver men's ice hockey team are the kings of the mountain, recently becoming the first program in history to reach 10 NCAA National Championships, playing to a packed, crimson-and-gold crowd at Magness Arena. Just 60 miles south in Colorado Springs, their decades-long rival — the Colorado College Tigers — bring the heat to Ed Robson Arena, proving that Colorado is the heart and soul of college hockey.

Where to catch other professional athletes across Colorado 

There’s no way around it: Colorado is a haven for professional athletes. The state’s altitude, terrain and year-round access to elite venues make it a popular host city for professional sporting events.

Golf championships

Colorado’s championship golf courses regularly welcome golf’s greatest, where the thin air adds an extra challenge and long drives become a Mile High specialty. Venues like Cherry Hills Country Club, Castle Pines Golf Club, The Broadmoor Golf Club and TPC Colorado have hosted PGA and LPGA events. 

Winter X Games & World Cup skiing

When winter hits, Colorado takes center stage for international competitive snow sports — and the après scene often rivals the action on the slopes. The Beaver Creek Stifel Birds of Prey Audi FIS Ski World Cup (December), showcases skiing’s best on some of the state’s steepest and fastest terrain. Over in Aspen Snowmass, the X Games (January), is a full-on extravaganza, with the world’s best extreme athletes catching big air, throwing even bigger tricks and (hopefully) nailing the landing. 

Olympic & Paralympic Training Center

Colorado regularly sends a strong contingent of athletes to both the summer and winter Olympic Games. Perhaps it’s in our blood — which may explain why Colorado Springs is home to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center. Here, elite athletes train year-round across dozens of sports. Visitors can tour the campus, watch athletes prepare for international competition and explore the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum.

Pikes Peak International Raceway

East of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak International Raceway hosts NASCAR-sanctioned races and major motorsports events with family-specific seating areas. The track gives fans a clear view of high-speed competition set against Colorado’s open plains and mountain horizon.

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