Rebuilding is finished.
Just three seasons after finishing last in the AFC West with a record of 5-12, the Denver Broncos wrapped up 2025 with an impressive 14-3 record, earning the top seed in the playoffs and securing home-field advantage. They even pulled off a significant win against the Bills.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots, buoyed by standout performances from new head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye, bounced back from a tough 4-13 season, earning the No. 2 seed.
Now, they’re gearing up for the 2026 AFC Championship Game… but the circumstances are, well, a bit unusual. More on that in a moment.
If you’re hoping to catch these two resilient teams clash on Sunday, January 25th at the Broncos’ Empower Field at Mile High, tickets are available on platforms like Ticketmaster and StubHub. The cheapest ticket price in Denver stands at $523.60, including fees through Ticketmaster.
For those looking for 100 level seats, expect to pay around $735.42, again including fees.
You’re likely aware that Broncos’ starting quarterback Bo Nix recently suffered a broken ankle during the team’s divisional round victory.
In his place is Jarrett Stidham, a 29-year-old backup quarterback who previously played for the Patriots—he hasn’t thrown a pass in a game since January 2024. In a prior matchup against the Raiders, which was two years ago now, Denver lost 27-14.
According to CBS Sports, several retired quarterbacks—Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck, and Colin Kaepernick—are being considered as potential replacements for Stidham if head coach Sean Payton has doubts about his capabilities.
Regardless of the starting situation, photographers in Denver will certainly be busy this Sunday.
Sounds like you can’t miss this playoff showdown, right?
We’ve got all the details you need to be well-informed for the game.
Below is a concise rundown of vital information for the 2026 AFC Championship Game featuring the Denver Broncos versus the New England Patriots, including ticket prices and stadium seating charts.
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots AFC Championship Game Tickets
You can find a thorough breakdown of the lowest ticket prices across several platforms like Ticketmaster, StubHub, Vivid Seats, and GameTime here.
| Broncos vs. Patriots tickets | Ticket price starts at |
|---|---|
| Ticketmaster | $523.60 (including fees) |
| StubHub | $646 (including fees) |
| Vivid Seats | $1,273 (including fees) |
| GameTime | $594 (including fees) |
Empower Field at Mile High Seating Chart
I’ve never set foot in Denver, but is Stidham prepared for the task ahead?
We aim to help you navigate the stadium.
To get familiar with all the views from the stands, check out the seating map for Mile High’s Empower Field below.
About the Broncos vs. Patriots Game
The last encounter between these two teams occurred in December 2023, with the Patriots winning 26-23.
Clearly, quite a bit has shifted since that meeting.
According to reports, the Patriots are entering the game against Stidham as 5.5-point favorites.
That said, Broncos fans shouldn’t lose hope just yet.
“Getting Stidham ready for what’s arguably the biggest game of his career will be a hefty challenge for the Broncos’ coaching staff. But, Sean Payton is certainly the right leader to guide them forward,” remarked reporter Eric Richter.
For more insights about Denver, check out the coverage on the Broncos.
Prefer to read about New England? You can find the Patriots coverage as well.
2026 Denver Concerts
On top of the AFC Championship, many notable artists will be performing in Denver over the upcoming months.
Here are five concerts you won’t want to miss:
- Morgan Wallen (May 29-30)
- AC/DC (July 28)
- Zach Bryan (August 13-14)
- Avenged Sevenfold with Good Charlotte (August 23)
- RUSH (October 5-7)
Curious about more performances? Check out our list of the biggest artists touring in 2026.
