Gazette, The (Colorado Springs) - With new stadium comes ticket hike

ENGLEWOOD - The average price of a non-premium ticket to watch the Broncos play will rise from $42.50 this season to $49.24 in 2001, when the team moves into its new stadium.

The Broncos mailed “new stadium relocation information” Friday to their 24,000 season ticket account holders. Included is a 12-page guide, a 10-minute video and a questionnaire. The questionnaire must be returned by July 20 - otherwise, the team will assume the ticket holder does not want to renew tickets for 2001.

Prices, of course, vary depending on location. Tickets between the 20-yard lines on the lower level cost $56; they will rise to $68. The upper level of the north end zone will increase from $28 to $30, the cheapest seats.

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The biggest increase will come in the South Stands. Prices will double from $25 to $50.

Broncos vice president of business operations Joe Ellis said that the South Stands will have 19-inch seats with backs, rather than 15- inch bleachers, and have an additional 10 inches between rows. He argued that concession stands and restrooms will be more accessible, and there will be views of two large scoreboards - both bigger than Mile High’s main one - in the north corners.

“It’s a whole new level,” said Ellis, acknowledging there will be some people who don’t want any of that. He expects a “vocal minority” to be unhappy with prices and relocation policies.

“We feel our pricing is reflective of the marketplace as well as NFL standards,” Ellis said. The average Broncos ticket today is cheaper than all but about seven or eight other teams, and the new pricing should keep the team in roughly the same position in the 31- team NFL, Ellis added.

There will be no personal-seat licenses at the new stadium. PSLs, an up-front fee paid for the right to buy tickets, have been a popular money-maker for some teams moving into a new venue.

The unnamed stadium will have a capacity of 76,125, 27 more seats than Mile High Stadium. In theory, fans should be able to have a very similar seat at the new stadium. But that will depend on their preferences, seating capacity in the various zones, the number of people with higher priority numbers who want to move to different zones, and increased seating for those with disabilities.

The Broncos are hoping that 8,800 ticket holders will upgrade into the “club level,” which will include two huge, climate- controlled carpeted lounges with concessions, bars and a pregame buffet.

Club-level seats are on the middle of the stadium’s three decks between the goal lines, and cost between $175-$250 per game. Team officials say the club seats will boost revenues by about $10 million per year, but were quick to add that the money will help keep a competitive team on the field.

Non-ticket holders hoping to get season tickets should note - Denver’s waiting list has 16,500 names on it. But the Broncos are required, by legislation, to make 2,000 tickets available the week of each game at the new stadium.

The stadium is about 40 percent complete, and will open with the 2001 preseason schedule in August.

Ticket prices

The largest ticket-price increase in the Broncos’ new stadium will be in the South Stands, where prices will double from $25 to $50.

The average ticket price of a non-premium seat will increase from $42.50 to $49.24.