Denver unveils premium club as part of stadium upgrades
The Broncos on Wednesday unveiled the first fieldlevel club space at Empower Field, a key element of the franchise’s ongoing $100 million-plus upgrades to the stadium this offseason.
The Breckenridge Bourbon Club checks in at 9,040 square feet and is located where the old Stadium Club used to be on the east side of the stadium. It gives those who purchase a membership access to all-inclusive food and beverages and dedicated parking and stadium entrance.
Broncos vice president of ticketing, sales and service Marc Jackson told The Post that the idea of the club is that it’s essentially its own season-ticket package. It will be offered as an upgrade first to existing 100-level season ticket holders and then made available as an option more widely.
“The seats are in the lower bowl on the East sideline between sections 120 and 126, so they’re fantastic seats,” Jackson said. “Now we’ve married them with this amazing gameday experience as well. With the Breckenridge Bourbon Club being on field level and on the East side, it’s a very short trek from the club to your seats. .. It’s all come together really well and we’re really excited about it.”
Jackson didn’t divulge exact pricing but said access to the club is comparable to other premium spaces at Empower Field like the Ring of Fame or the 5280 Room.
In addition to the bar itself, the club has a limited number of personalized drink lockers, where members can keep their gameday spirit of choice.
Sports venues of all kinds have made an effort to increase the number of premium options available to fans.
“Creating these unique destinations and elevated experiences has become a staple not only within our industry as professionals, but more importantly for our fans,” Jackson said.
Broncos president Damani Leech said Monday that the franchise’s season ticket renewal rate is at 98% this offseason. That matches last year’s number and is the seventh straight year Denver’s been at 96% or better.
“Broncos Country is pretty much everywhere and they confirm that when you see the renewal percentages and just the overall support,” Jackson said.
Other elements of the stadium upgrade project this offseason include a video board that is more than 70% bigger than the previous version, a new team store and refurbished suites. Those projects are still on target to be completed by the time Denver hosts the Los Angeles Rams in its preseason finale Aug. 26.
“We’re excited to expand our partnership with Breckenridge Bourbon, as the official Hometown Bourbon of the Broncos, to this new hospitality space,” Broncos chief commercial officer Dennis Moore said in a release Wednesday. “We look forward to collaborating with Breckenridge Bourbon, a local Colorado favorite, to offer an elevated gameday experience for our fans.”
PRESEASON DATES REVEALED >>
The Broncos announced the dates and times for their preseason schedule Wednesday.
Denver will start its three- game preseason slate with a road matchup against the Arizona Cardinals that’s scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11. The Broncos will remain on the road when they play the San Francisco 49ers on Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The game will mark the 40th preseason matchup against San Francisco, with the Broncos leading the series, 23-16.
The Broncos will conclude the preseason at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. Head coach Sean Payton said last weekend the goal is to host a joint practice with the Rams before the preseason finale.
“( Rams Head Coach) Sean ( Mcvay) and I have talked,” Payton said. “The ownership groups are connected, along with (Rams General Manager) Les (Sneed) and (General Manager) George (Paton). There has been no announcement made, but our hope and goal is to have a chance to practice here.”
PARKER SELECTED FOR ACCELERATOR PROGRAM >>
Broncos third-year defensive backs coach Christian Parker is taking part in the NFL’S coaching accelerator program next week in Minneapolis. Parker, who will be working for his third head coach in as many seasons in Denver, is just 31 but impressed both Nathaniel Hackett and Sean Payton enough for both men to make it a point of retaining him on their staffs. Parker, 31, was on staff with Green Bay from 2019-20 and worked for Texas A&M, Notre Dame and other colleges before that.
LINEBACKER DREW SANDERS SIGNS ROOKIE DEAL>>
Denver has now signed all five draft picks after rookie linebacker Drew Sanders reached an agreement on a four-year deal, a source told The Post on Wednesday. According to Spotrac, the estimated total value of Sanders’ deal is $5.7 million with a $1.17 million signing bonus. Sanders was selected in the third round (67th overall) after totaling 103 tackles (13.5 for loss) and 9.5 sacks for Arkansas in 2022.