ENGLEWOOD — The new Broncos training facility has reached a major construction milestone.

The final highest panel was placed on the three-story building, anticipated to open in May 2026, in a “topping out ceremony” on Friday.

“We’re not just marking the incredible progress that has taken place over the last 11 months,” team president Damani Leech said. “We’re here to recognize the people and the purpose behind a world class facility that will foster a culture of growth, innovation and excellence — both on and off the field.”

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Leech was joined by Broncos co-owner Carrie Walton Penner, who added her signature among the dozens of construction workers and team employees who inked the panel with a permanent marker. A 200-foot crane raised it on top of the $175-million new facility.

Facility construction started last August and has continued during training camp at Broncos Park. The proposed 205,000-square-foot building, located just west of their current facility, has eliminated the grassy berm for fan viewing of practice. The Broncos erected temporary fan bleachers on the south sideline to accommodate up to 800 fans for open practices.

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“My office faces the construction site, and I marvel at how quickly it’s gone up,” Leech said previously at training camp. “There’s over a hundred people there every day working on the construction crew, sunup to sundown. … We’ll enclose the building by November. So, from a weather standpoint, they’ll be able to do all the interiors and get us to a situation where we’re able to move in by May of next year.”

Football and business operations will occupy the top two floors. The first floor is optimized for players to improve their overall experience, and specifically, reduce their foot travel. Players currently must walk through an outdoor parking lot to get from the locker room to the weight room.

“You’re seeing an incredible facility being built right there and it’s being built incredibly fast,” offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz said earlier in training camp. “It’s great having (team ownership) presence here and to know how much they care about us as players.”

Scrimmage Saturday

The Broncos will have their first scrimmage of training camp on Saturday. Coach Sean Payton explained the format after practice on Friday.

“Phase one might start with two punts and then put the offense on the 25-yard line,” Payton said. “Then in the script, move the ball to different segments. … Phase two would start midfield, and the ball would move into the high red (zone). It might start with (special teams). Then we’d go to the offense-defense portion. … Phase three would be in the red zone. … So, it’s us the night before, planning to some degree these situations so we know we’re going to get them. And yet, it’s going to be the format of the practice is much different than what you’ve been seeing.”

McLaughlin growth

Running back Jaleel McLaughlin is focused on improvement in the passing game and pass protection entering his third NFL season.

“Just trying to find the right spots and be where they want me to be at in the pass game (and) also in protection,” McLaughlin said after practice on Friday. “Now, I feel like I can get out fast because I see there’s not pressure coming. I also can beat someone to the spot when there is pressure coming. I just feel great, and my routes feel awesome as well.”