The Denver Broncos are thinking big-and thinking ahead.
Team owner and CEO Greg Penner confirmed that the franchise is in the planning stages of building a new stadium, complete with a retractable roof, with an eye toward opening the doors in 2031. And while that may seem like a long way off, the potential impact of that roof was already on full display during the AFC Championship Game.
With snow falling and temperatures dipping in the second half of Sunday’s clash with the Patriots, Penner acknowledged that if the new stadium were already in place, the roof likely would’ve been closed from the jump.
“We’re evaluating retractable roof options,” Penner said. “This year’s weather was great-until the last game.”
He added that while the NFL has specific rules around when a home team can open or close its roof, the conditions on Sunday would’ve warranted keeping it shut. “Given both the temperature and the potential precipitation, we would’ve likely closed it ahead of time,” Penner said.
“That being said, who knows if that would’ve had any outcome on the game. Either way, this would have been more around just what was going to be good for the fans, because it was pretty rough.”
He’s not wrong. The elements were a factor, especially in the second half, where the snow started to influence footing, ball security, and overall pace of play. The Patriots and Broncos both had to adjust on the fly, and while the final result may not have hinged on the weather, it certainly shaped the way the game unfolded.
And that’s exactly the kind of thing the Broncos are looking to address with this new stadium vision. A retractable roof doesn’t just offer flexibility-it fundamentally changes the experience of winter football in Denver. For a city known for its altitude and unpredictable January weather, the ability to shield fans and players from the elements could be a game-changer.
Of course, any stadium project of this scale takes time. But the Broncos are clearly thinking about more than just aesthetics or capacity. They’re thinking about competitive consistency, fan comfort, and the ability to host marquee events-regardless of what the weather decides to do.
So while the snow may have added a dramatic layer to this year’s AFC title bout, it also served as a timely reminder: in the NFL, every edge counts. And by 2031, the Broncos may have one more in their corner-complete with a roof that closes when it matters most.