Denver Women's FC – Inaugural Match
Parking lots full. Tailgates everywhere. I knew before I even walked through the gates.
I went into this one already knowing how I wanted to approach it. I wasn't trying to overdo anything. Just be there, take it in, and capture what mattered.
Before even getting inside, the parking lots were full. Tailgates everywhere. Groups set up with tents, food, music. Just in one section alone there had to be 600 or 700 people. That told me everything before I even walked through the gates.
I got in with enough time to settle in and start taking in the environment. Didn't rush to my seat. Pulled out my phone and started capturing the atmosphere. Missed part of the national anthem but still caught the flyover and some of the pregame moments.
Once things got going, the energy stayed consistent. That was the biggest thing. It didn't drop off. The crowd was engaged the whole time. The rally section on the south end had a band, chants, and constant noise. It wasn't just a few moments of hype, it held.
For a large venue, it felt legit. Comparable to some football games in terms of energy. That's not something you always get, but it was there.
I left about 15 minutes early to stay ahead of traffic and get back to work, but I had already gotten what I came for. I experienced it, captured what I needed, and saw what this could become.
Being at the inaugural match wasn't about covering it.
It was about being there at the start. With the new stadium plans and everything developing in that area, this is just the beginning. Long term, that's the part that stands out.
And that alone made it worth it.
On The Ground
