As the Denver Nuggets prepared for their home opener Saturday, hundreds of fans gathered outside Union Station celebrate the occasion.

As Nuggets fans, many dressed in team paraphernalia, took turns shooting hoops, dancing to music and enjoying cold beverages at the team’s annual Can-I-Val Tip-Off event, some shared their excitement about the upcoming season.

“They’re going to be a good team this year,” said Kristy Thomson, walking along the plaza with Tiffany Hastings. “I just love watching them.”

After finishing last year with a 50-32 record and losing to the eventual champions Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Nuggets bolstered their lineup with several moves this offseason. The team added several players, including Bruce Brown, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jonas Valanciunas, to give the team more depth and versatility around superstar center Nikola Jokic.

Although the team lost its season-opener in San Francisco, a six-point overtime defeat, forward Aaron Gordon sank 10 3-pointers as part of a 50-point performance. Jokic recorded a triple double, but only made just over a third of his shots.

Saturday’s event, organized by the team and Ball, also featured the Nuggets’ mascot Rocky, the Skyline Drumline and the Average Joes dance group.

For Marisa and Esteban Rivera, the event capped off several months of anticipation for the new season.

“One of our first dates was when we were 18 and went to a Nuggets game, and now we’re married,” said the couple, who planned to go to Saturday night’s game. “We’re so excited, we wait all year for this season to come around again.”

The Nuggets will take on the Phoenix Suns at at Ball Arena for the team’s first home game of the year. Tip off is at 7 p.m.