Denver Sports Teams Draw Over 90,000 Fans on Saturday

The Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids both had big games that attracted massive crowds to the metro area.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 12:08am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a crowded sports stadium filled with cheering fans, rendered in bold, clashing colors that capture the intensity and passion of the event.The energy and excitement of Denver's sports fans packing the stands is captured in a dynamic, cubist-inspired illustration.Denver Today

On Saturday, the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Rapids both had major sporting events that drew huge crowds to the Denver metro area. The Nuggets had their first playoff game, which brought over 19,000 fans to Ball Arena, while the Rapids hosted Inter Miami and international superstar Lionel Messi, setting the second-highest single-game attendance record in MLS history with 75,824 fans at Empower Field at Mile High.

Why it matters

The large crowds at these sporting events highlight the strong sports culture and fan engagement in the Denver metro area. The ability to draw such massive crowds is a testament to the popularity of the local professional teams and the excitement around major sporting events in the city.

The details

The Nuggets kicked off the day with a free fan fest outside Ball Arena, which was packed with fans eager to take part in games and giveaways. While not everyone could get tickets to the actual Nuggets playoff game, the fan fest provided an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the team. Over at Empower Field, the Rapids hosted a highly anticipated match against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi, drawing the second-largest single-game attendance in MLS history.

  • The Nuggets game took place on Saturday, April 19, 2026.
  • The Rapids game against Inter Miami and Lionel Messi also occurred on Saturday, April 19, 2026.

The players

Denver Nuggets

The professional basketball team that plays in the NBA and is based in Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Rapids

The professional soccer team that plays in Major League Soccer (MLS) and is based in the Denver metro area.

Lionel Messi

An international soccer superstar who plays for Inter Miami in MLS.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to make it a family affair.”

— Nadine Vasquez

“We can't get them. That's why it's better to come here. Nobody can stress about money, and we can just have fun.”

— Nadine Vasquez

“It's a good opportunity. Especially for the thirtieth anniversary of the Rapids.”

— Angel Becerra-Soto

What’s next

Sports fans in Denver will have more opportunities to attend major events this weekend, with the Colorado Rockies hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani on Saturday and Sunday, and the Colorado Avalanche playing their first NHL playoff game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.

The takeaway

The massive crowds at the Nuggets and Rapids games on Saturday demonstrate the strong sports culture and fan engagement in the Denver metro area. The ability to draw such large audiences to these events highlights the popularity of the local professional teams and the excitement around major sporting events in the city.