The Broncos are one step closer to a new stadium. Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images

The Denver Broncos on Wednesday submitted a large-area review plan to the city of Denver, a move that serves as a jumping-off point for a new stadium and mixed-use district the organization hopes to complete ahead of the 2031 season.

The Broncos in September announced Burnham Yard, a historic railyard district outside the city’s downtown area, as the preferred site for a new, retractable-roof stadium. The large-area plan did not include design renderings and is a preliminary step in what will be a years-long process, but it does feature a map that conceptualizes a stadium being built on the west side of the Burnham Yard site, furthest from the surrounding La Alma Lincoln Park neighborhood. The Broncos are concurrently working with local leaders on a community benefits agreement and a small-area plan, which both factor in community input for the stadium and surrounding development.

The team called the plan submitted on Wednesday a “high-level preliminary draft.”

“The Large Development Review — alongside the Community Benefits Agreement and Small-Area Plan — is an opportunity for the Denver Broncos to ensure the stadium and mixed-use community bring meaningful, lasting benefit to the area,” the Broncos said in a statement. “Our goal is to create a true local asset that expands access, improves quality of life and provides year-round impact for the broader neighborhood, metro area and visitors. As our organization begins this process, we are in listen-first mode and remain deeply committed to collaborative, inclusive and transparent engagement. Working closely with civic leaders, we are dedicated to honoring and celebrating the rich, diverse history of the area along with the cultural fabric of the community.”

The submission of the 38-page review plan on Wednesday followed the passing on Tuesday night of the Vibrant Denver Bond, which commits $140 million for bridge and road repair and construction in the Burnham Yard area. The Broncos were set to submit their large-area review on Wednesday, regardless of the bond vote results, but those developments together represent a big step forward as the Broncos move closer to the design process for their new stadium, which will include a natural grass field.

Broncos co-owner and CEO Greg Penner said last month that the Broncos were still in the “early phases of design,” as they worked with consultants to provide feedback on the “world-class architects that we are talking to.” The Broncos have since begun working with Sasaki, an international architecture and design firm with offices in Denver that has worked on some of the city’s recent large-scale development projects.

” … We look forward to partnering with the city of Denver and our future neighbors to shape the next phases of planning,” the team said Wednesday. “Together, we will refine this conceptual layout into a detailed plan that respects the surrounding neighborhoods, adds new homes and creates vibrant community amenities and green spaces to be enjoyed throughout the year.”

While the release of more specific details of the stadium plan is months away, Penner, while speaking to reporters in London, noted one of the biggest priorities he has for the new venue.

“We really want that experience that’s loud,” Penner said. “We want it to be a place that opposing teams don’t want to come play. We have some of that, obviously, with a competitive football team and playing at elevation. If we can also make it really loud and imposing, that’s something we look at. Then, we look for, again, ways we can make the fan experiences as great as they can possibly be.”

The plan submitted by the Broncos on Wednesday includes some preliminary timelines for various parts of the design and regulatory processes. That includes a target date for building permits of 2027.

The Broncos have been playing in their current stadium, Empower Field at Mile High, since 2001. That will be the site of Thursday night’s Broncos game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Nov 5, 2025

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Nick Kosmider is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Denver Broncos. He previously covered the Denver Nuggets for The Athletic after spending five years at the Denver Post, where he covered the city’s professional sports scene. His other stops include The Arizona Republic and MLB.com. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickKosmider