More cars are being added to the E, W and N lines serving Mile High Stadium and Ball Arena to aid in the anticipated surge in traffic from this weekend’s sports matchups 

The Regional Transportation District expects a major surge in ridership Saturday, as fans converge on Empower Field at Mile High for the Denver Broncos’ playoff game against the Buffalo Bills and on Ball Arena for the Denver Nuggets’ matchup against the Washington Wizards.

The Broncos are playing at 2:30 p.m., while the Nuggets start at 7 p.m.

The agency will add extra rail cars to regularly scheduled service on the E and W lines, which directly serve stations at both venues, and on the N Line to Union Station to handle the anticipated crowds from the overlapping events and additional downtown activities. Extra Transit Police and security personnel will deploy across the system, with increased presence at bus stops and rail stations near Empower Field at Mile High and Ball Arena, officials said.

The proximity of both venues to multiple bus stops and rail stations positions public transit as a convenient alternative for fans seeking to avoid traffic and parking challenges, officials said.

Broncos and Nuggets fans should use the agency’s Next Ride trip planning tool and enter “Broncos” or “Nuggets” in the destination field. The planner will display all available train lines, bus routes and departure times from a rider’s current location to the selected venue.

Rail service includes the E and W lines to Ball Arena and Empower Field at Mile High stations, plus the A, B, G and N lines to Denver Union Station.

Final train departures from key stations on Saturday, January 17, include:

• A Line – 1 a.m. from Union Station 

• B Line – 11:09 p.m. from Union Station 

• G Line – 12:01 a.m. from Union Station 

• D Line – 1:45 a.m. from 18th•Stout Station 

• E Line – 1:56 a.m. from Union Station, 1:59 a.m. from Ball Arena Station, 2:01 a.m. from Empower Field at Mile High Station 

• H Line – 1:57 a.m. from 18th•Stout Station 

• N Line – 11:56 p.m. from Union Station 

• W Line – 1:53 a.m. from Union Station, 1:55 a.m. from Ball Arena Station, 1:57 a.m. from Empower Field at Mile High Station 

These times remain subject to change. Riders should consult the RTD website or Next Ride app for the most up-to-date information and prepare for large crowds, particularly after the games conclude.

Bus routes supporting the venues include Routes 30 (South Federal Boulevard), 31 (North Federal Boulevard), 1, 15L and 16 near Empower Field at Mile High, and Routes 19 and 15L near Ball Arena. Connections to the E or W lines at Union Station are available via the Flatiron Flyer and Routes 0, 9, 10, 15, 20 and 32.

Park-n-Ride facilities throughout the metro area offer convenient access to transit. A complete list is available online.

Officials urged patience as large crowds are expected on platforms, trains and buses. Auraria West Station will close at 12:30 p.m. to manage increased crowds, with service directed to the nearby Empower Field at Mile High Station; it will reopen around 7 p.m.

Riders can sign up at RTD’s website for service alerts, purchase day passes through the MyRide app or use Tap-n-Ride contactless payment with Visa or Mastercard credit, debit, prepaid cards or mobile wallets.

The Transit Watch app enables reporting of safety or security concerns and is available for iOS and Android in English and Spanish.