While there is ongoing chatter about the Broncos building a new stadium at some point in the future, Tuesday’s media tour of Empower Field at Mile High showed the organization remains committed to improving the fan experience now.
Broncos president Damani Leech showed off the new Club 1977 as well as new murals by local artists, and, of course, new food offerings.
“Last year, as you recall, (we made) a pretty massive investment, a $100 million investment by our ownership group to upgrade the stadium, the largest capital improvement in the stadium’s history. So we’re going to continue on that this year,” Leech said.
While the all-inclusive Club 1977, with access to events beyond football, is limited to 54 members with deep pockets (the Broncos wouldn’t disclose pricing), the upgraded menu options reach all levels of the stadium.
One of the more unique concepts is Buns on the Run by Hall & Worth. These two packs of gooey cinnamon goodness are only available at Gates 2, 4 and 10 as you leave the stadium after the game.
“You can eat ’em on your way home in your Uber and stuff like that,” Aramark senior executive chef Michael Sanguinetti said. “One more last treat on your way out.”
Sanguinetti also introduced the Thunder Crunch wrap, designed with kids in mind. The dish features ancho chicken with green chili queso, pico de gallo and lettuce, wrapped in a spicy tortilla. It comes out as a crispy hand-held creation.
Overall, the stadium has 12 new vendors and 10 new signature items designed to feature “what’s special about the Rocky Mountain region,” Leech said. Among the new local restaurants are Blue Pan Pizza, the TAG restaurant group, Bonanno Concepts, Guard and Grace, Lucy’s Burger Bar, Renegade Burrito and Pints Peak Ice Cream.
While burgers and pizza are common stadium fare, the Broncos said they listened to their fans and brought in higher quality choices such as the Old School TAG Burger and Blue Pan.
“I think we recognize that food and beverage is a really important part of the game-day experience for a lot of our fans,” Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Jesse Nading said. “So, it’s something that we, in partnership with Aramark, look at really closely and really want to listen to our fans (about).”
The focus on “local” extends beyond the food choices to the continuation of the Stadium Artist Series with three new pieces added to the stadium this season on top of the eight that were introduced last year
There is a fun animal-themed mural by local artist Kaitlin Ziesmer as well as artworks celebrating Colorado and the Broncos’ own Ring-of-Fame plaza.
“Something that was really important to (owner Carrie Walton Penner) and important to us (was) obviously celebrating not just the pride, tradition and history of the Broncos, but also what’s special about the Rocky Mountain region,” Leech said.
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