As the Rapids prepare to host their first home game of the 2023 MLS season, the club is excited to announce several updates to the stadium experience. Some of these changes will be in place for the club’s home opener against Sporting Kansas City on March 4, while others will be implemented throughout the course of the year.
“We’re thrilled to add new elements to our home games this season as we seek to elevate our fans’ experience and amplify the amazing culture our supporters have helped build for nearly three decades,” said Wayne Brant, Colorado Rapids Sr. VP of Business Operations. “This is something we will continue to focus on throughout the year and hope to announce additional components to our matchday experience this spring.”
Here's a preview of the upcoming changes to game days at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park this season.
Start Your Game Day on the South Side
Whether you’re taking part in the tailgate hosted by Centennial 38 or a Rapids Block Party, the south side of the stadium is the place to kick off your game day.
The 2023 season will feature more Rapids Block Parties than ever before, starting with the club’s home opener on March 4. Block parties are free for fans to attend and take place in the VIP East Lot starting 3 hours before kickoff. Enjoy food trucks, live music, outdoor games and a giant screen with all the day’s MLS action to get the party started before the match.
Below is the full list of Rapids Block Party dates for 2023:
- March 4 vs. Sporting Kansas City (Home Opener) | Tickets
- May 27 vs. FC Cincinnati (Mental Health Awareness Night) | Tickets
- June 3 vs. San Jose (Summer Kickoff) | Tickets
- June 24 vs. LA Galaxy | Tickets
- July 4 vs. Portland Timbers (4thFest) | Tickets
- July 8 vs. FC Dallas (Drew Moor Gallery of Honor Induction) | Tickets
- July 15 vs. Houston Dynamo FC (Military Appreciation Night) | Tickets
- Oct. 21 vs. Real Salt Lake (Decision Day) | Tickets
The Centennial 38 Tailgate will be up and running for all home matches and will feature even more live music in 2023. The cost to attend is $12 per person and you can learn more at c38sg.com.
Don’t forget—regardless of your pre-game routine, parking is free at all Rapids games!
Smoother Entry into the Stadium
Getting into DSGP should be a smoother process this year, as the club has partnered with Evolv Technology to use their Express screening solution for all Rapids home games in 2023.
Evolv Express is the world’s first and only touchless security screening solution that meets all of the post-pandemic security screening requirements. Express is proven to operate up to ten times faster than traditional metal detectors with its dual-lane, free-flow entrances and fusion of new sensor technology and artificial intelligence. The system is able to spot weapons while ignoring harmless personal items all while visitors simply walk through at a natural pace. Families and groups of friends can now walk in together without long lines.
Just make sure to have your digital tickets ready to scan before you arrive at the stadium gates to ensure entry goes as fast as possible.
Free Roster & C38 Chant Cards
This season, fans can grab free Rapids roster cards, along with lyric cards featuring the chants sung by the club’s supporters’ group, Centennial 38 (C38) throughout the match. Roster cards will be passed out at ingress, while the lyric cards will be handed out by ushers down the aisles.
Familiar Faces Take the Stage
Fans will see a pair of familiar faces on game days as former Rapids defender Drew Moor and analyst Jordan Angeli jump on the mic to lead the pre-match festivities as the club’s new in-stadium hosts. The fan-favorite duo will provide pre-match analysis and post-game interviews throughout the season.
New, Rotating Food Offerings
Legends, the stadium’s food & beverage provider, will be introducing 19 rotating specialty food items to DSGP on game days, including:
- Beer Cheese Fries
- Black & Blue Burger
- Mushroom Onion Burger
- Southwest Burger
- Cheddar Cheese Curds
- Chicago Dogs
- Chili Cheese Dogs
- Western Dogs
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Meat Lovers Pizza
- BBQ Brisket & Cheddar Sandwich
- Cuban Sandwich
- Gyros
- Ham & Cheese Press
- Italian Press
- Hot Nashville Chicken
- Pulled Pork Sandwich
- Turkey & Provolone Press
- Tacos
Eighteen76 is Now ‘The Dale’s Bar’ by Oskar Blues Featuring Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs
Not only will Rapids games feature expanded food offerings across the stadium’s concessions this year, but Eighteeen76 will be getting a complete makeover with the introduction of “The Dale’s Bar” by Oskar Blues Brewery and Biker Jim’s. Located on the south side of DSGP, behind C38’s section, The Dale’s Bar will offer a wide selection of craft brews from the Coloradan brewery and host postgame drink specials, as well as appearances from players throughout the year (more on that below).
Expanded Supporters’ Section
Fans are the lifeblood of our club, which is why the Rapids are excited to announce an expanded supporters’ section coming to DSGP this season. With the existing supporters’ section (117) continuing to reach its capacity in recent years, the club will be adding standing rails to section 118 over the next couple of weeks to double the size of the supporters’ section.
Although the home of C38, club’s supporters’ section is open to anyone. Learn more about C38 and how to get involved.
Elevating Supporter Culture
Speaking of our amazing supporters, the club is working with C38 to place a greater spotlight on fan-led traditions and rituals, while adding some new elements to amplify the gameday atmosphere, including:
- Smoke bombs right before kickoff and after every Rapids goal
- 38th-minute Viking clap led by C38
- An expanded Man-of-the-Match Oar experience that includes:
- A non-dressing player attending C38’s pre-game tailgate to sign autographs and make a toast prior to the match
- The creation of an Oar Altar outside The Dale’s Bar concourse doors to showcase the MOTM Oar during the game
- Inclusion of the MOTM Oar during the team’s starting XI photo with the captain
- MOTM interview in front of supporters
Postgame Player Appearances & Drink Specials at The Dale’s Bar
Following each home game, fans can wait out traffic by heading over to The Dale’s Bar to catch a Rapids player appearance while enjoying $5 drafts of Dale’s Pale Ale, Oscar Lager, Hazy Blues, Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Coors Light and Dos XX. MLS Season Pass will be on all the TVs at The Dale’s Bar, too, so fans can tune into the rest of the MLS action of the night.
Premium Valet Parking
For the first time at DGSP, Summit Club members and annual suite leasers will have access to valet parking, which will be located on 60th Avenue on the west side of the stadium.
