It is a great time to be a sports fan as Denver, CO is one of the most sports-rich cities in the world. The Denver area is home to a plethora of successful sports teams even if you just focus on downtown Denver. This list will focus on the top teams not only in Denver but in suburb areas surrounding the city.
Major League Teams in Denver
Though there are the four major sports leagues – Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, National Football League, and National Basketball Association – there are others throughout a litany of other leagues. Now that sports betting is legal in Denver there are more reasons to follow local sports.
Here are the six major sports franchises comprising the Denver Sports scene.
Colorado Rockies
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The MLB awarded Denver a team in 1993. As an expansion Major League Baseball franchise, the Rockies have called Denver home for three decades. Playing home games at Coors Field – though they initially played at Mile High Stadium -success has been limited for the Rockies throughout the years.
They have made the playoffs just a handful of times, though they did with their first NL pennant (and only one) in 2007. Unfortunately, they ran into a dominant Boston Red Sox team, the kings of Major League Baseball at that point, in the World Series. Both games at Coors Field were losses, ultimately seeing the Rockies fall in a four-game sweep.
Coors Field sits in the heart of downtown Denver, providing home games all throughout the summer. Though success has been limited, fantastic players like Todd Helton, Larry Walker, and Troy Tulowitzki have called Colorado home. There is no telling what memories are still to be made at Coors Field.
Denver Broncos
Without a doubt, the Denver Broncos are the most successful franchise in the Mile High City. When talking about the Denver top teams, the Denver Broncos come first and foremost. With three Super Bowl titles – and another six Super Bowl appearances – it is hard to argue against that success.
When the Denver Broncos begin play each September, Mile High becomes a destination. The old Mile High Stadium became one of the most well-known in sports. It has since gone by a number of names but Mile High Stadium it will remain to the Denver faithful.
Being a Broncos fan has been good over the years. Since the team joined the NFL in 1960, they have become synonymous with the Super Bowl. Though their last championship came in 2015, the Broncos continue to be known for great players. John Elway, Terrell Davis, Peyton Manning, and now Russell Wilson have called Mile High their home. Given their history, it may not be long at all before the Broncos capture Super Bowl championship #4.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets lagged behind other major Denver sports teams for years. While the Denver Broncos won back-to-back Super Bowls, the Denver Nuggets lagged behind. In recent years, Ball Arena has become a hub for great professional basketball.
Things became very real last spring when the Denver Nuggets toppled the Los Angeles Lakers in four games en route to their first NBA championship. They might not be one of the founding teams in the NBA but with Nikola Jokic (back-to-back NBA MVP) leading the charge, they certainly made it easy to draw fans to Ball Arena today.
The season runs in conjunction with the Colorado Avalanche, creating a Ball Arena atmosphere that can’t be beaten as the season runs through the spring. Ball Arena has now become a must-see for home games. Each home game has drawn crowds like never before and things are definitely trending up for the Denver Nuggets. The Denver sports betting market favor the Nuggets for another title soon.
Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche vs. San Jose Sharks (pointnshoot)
To match the snowcaps of the Colorado Rockies, the Colorado Avalanche have delivered the coolest game on ice. The Avalanche also play home games at Ball Arena and have since 1995 (it was the Pepsi Center before that). Before that, the Avalanche played as the Quebec Nordiques before ultimately relocating to Denver.
The Avalanche has brought success to the Mile High City for three decades. They won their third Stanley Cup in 2022 and have one of the brightest and most talented young cores in the game. The season runs alongside the Nuggets, creating a friendly rivalry to see who can have more success. With the current crop of superstars leading the Avalanche, it will be a tight race to see who can bring Denver its next professional championship.
The Avalanche have had no shortage of great players during their time in Denver. Hall of Famers Joe Sakic, Peter Forsberg, Rob Blake, Ray Bourque, and Patrick Roy set the tone. They have since been followed up by generational talent like Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The Avalanche continue to be one of the two teams in Denver that remain in contention.
Colorado Rapids
Playing out of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, the Colorado Rapids played their first season in Denver in 1996. It took until 2010 but the Rapids won their first Major League Soccer title. The Colorado Rapids are owned by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, the same group that owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Mammoth, as well as other sports teams.
What is cool about the Colorado Rapids is that they are one of the ten founding teams at the start of Major League Soccer. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City has also played host to several international soccer matches as well as the MLS Cup, growing the sport in the Denver area.
Though it has been a while since the Rapids won a title, they have had some legendary players. Conor Casey, Paul Bravo, Omar Cummings, Chris Henderson, and others top the list of the best goal scorers in Colorado Rapids history.
Colorado Mammoth
Last but certainly not least is Colorado Mammoth lacrosse. The Colorado Mammoth has been playing in Denver’s Ball Arena going back to 2003, its first season in the National Lacrosse League. The team had bounced around a bit previously, beginning as the Baltimore Thunder, moving to Pittsburgh as the CrossFire, and then stopping in Washington as the Power.
Since moving to Denver, the Mammoth has had fleeting success. They won three division titles in their first four seasons in Denver. They did manage to win their first NLL championship in 2006 before ultimately breaking their 16-year drought by winning a second title in 2022.
In the growing lacrosse scene, the Colorado Mammoth being a focal part as Western Conference champions in 2023. Dillon Ward continues to lead the way for the Mammoth, winning Finals MVP as the Mammoth won their second NLL title in 2022. Between the Mammoth, Avalanche, and Nuggets, the Ball Arena sports scene is as packed as it gets.
Emerging and Local Teams
The beauty of Denver sports is that it continues to grow at a local level. The Denver Barbarians FC, Colorado Rapids 2, Colorado Summit, Denver Larks, Denver Rockets, and Glendale Raptors are providing even more options for local sports fans.
As Colorado continues to become a prime living destination, the local sports scene will grow. Teams like the Broncos and Avalanche have already had a major mark on the fans in Denver and local suburbs. That will only serve to strengthen local teams that continue to drive youth sports participation, thus growing the presence of sports in Colorado.
Sports Attractions and Tours
The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame has a cool stadium tour. This tour brings fans and visitors alike around town to see Infinity Park, Empower Field at Mile High Stadium, Coors Field, Ball Arena, and others. It is a great way to see all that the Denver sports scene has to offer.
Fans of Denver sports or those who are just visiting would be advised to take that stadium tour. It is a great way to see all the venues before going to a home game at one (or several) of those locations.
The Impact of Sports on Denver’s Culture
There may not be enough space to cover the impact that Denver sports has had on the city. Even college sports teams like Colorado State University, the University of Colorado, and Air Force Academy draw large crowds for their games. That just goes to show how deeply ingratiated sports are in Denver culture.
If there were any further proof needed, just look at South Park. The creators are Colorado natives and frequently work “Let’s Go Broncos” into their show. That just underscores the kind of impact the Broncos and stars like John Elway have had on those growing up in the Denver area and beyond.
Conclusion
Denver has one of the most robust and diverse sports scenes in the world. Sporting events of all kinds permeate even into many local suburbs. That’s not even mentioning the other events that venues like Mile High Stadium and Ball Arena have hosted.
The best way for Denver sports to continue to grow and thrive is through local support. The Avalanche, Broncos, Nuggets, and Rockies have a built-in fan base thanks to major sports leagues. Teams like the Colorado Mammoth, the Rapids, and other teams from Colorado Springs to Denver.
