Making the Broncos' Stadium Brand New
Plexineon Upgrades Denver's Sports Authority Field at Mile High

A new look and a new name -- that's what the home of the Denver Broncos got when sporting goods company Sports Authority took over naming rights for the NFL team's stadium in 2011.

Now Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the 10-year-old, 76,000-seat arena underwent a facelift as part of the rebranding, the centerpiece of which is a prominent horizontal line of iLight Plexineon Red Series fixtures outlining the curve of the stadium's uppermost edge.

The Design Challenge

Illume, a division of M-E Engineers, was brought in to upgrade the facility's presence with architectural lighting.

Having used Plexineon before--including at Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins--the design team initially proposed using Plexineon Red to outline vertical "tusks" that crown the top of Sports Authority Field. However, on-site mockups revealed it would be more dramatic to highlight the catwalk running above the tusks, instead.

To be effective, a thin line of continuous light was needed. Fortunately, Illume/M-E Engineers knew Plexineon could be ordered in long lengths, plus the firm had confidence in the product.

David Riffel, Lighting Designer at Illume/M-E Engineers, says, "We had a comfort level; we knew the Plexineon would perform the way it's intended."

Mounting the fixtures began just as the NFL season got underway. Despite retrofitting and working around the Broncos' game schedule, installation went smoothly.

"Plexineon is a very high quality light," Riffel says. "We can't see any gaps."
"You can see the Plexineon across town.
It really has a stunning impact."
--David Riffel
Lighting Designer, Illume/M-E Engineers

The Plexineon Advantage

The Broncos' 2011-12 season was a memorable one, and Plexineon topped it off with a beacon against the Denver sky.

"You can see the Plexineon across town," Riffel says. "It really has a stunning impact."

As for Colorado-headquartered Sports Authority, he adds, "They are pleased with the results."

Product: Plexineon Red Series
Location: Exterior application
Product use: Direct view
Length: 1,914 LF (583 m)
Site: Denver, Colo.
Project: Professional Sports Stadium
Lighting Design and Project Management: Illume/M-E Engineers | www.me-engineers.com
Design and Project Management: Monigle Associates | www.monigle.com