FAA and FBI Warn Drone Operators: No-Fly Zone Enforced Within Three Miles of Empower Field at Mile High During NFL Events
Why It MattersThe enforcement effort signals tighter federal scrutiny and counter-drone deployment around major U.S. stadium events, raising compliance stakes for drone operators nationwide.
Airspace within three miles of Empower Field at Mile High in Denver is restricted one hour before and one hour after every NFL event, with temporary flight restrictions also possible for other large events at the venue. The FAA and FBI said unauthorized drone operators violating federal regulations will be referred to the FAA for investigation, with civil penalties reaching $75,000 per violation and criminal penalties pursued by law enforcement including fines up to $100,000 and up to one year in federal prison; authorities may also confiscate drones and revoke pilot certificates.
Most drones operating in U.S. airspace must broadcast Remote ID, and disabling or failing to comply with this requirement is a separate federal violation, with authorities able to detect drones regardless of whether Remote ID is active. Under the SAFER SKIES Act, the FBI and FAA deploy authorized counter-drone tools and coordinate with partners including the Denver Police Department. In July, the FBI disrupted a plot to use explosives-laden drones to attack people at a UFC event on the White House lawn, and during World Cup matches and fan events, the FBI and partners confiscated more than 700 illegal drones.
Drone operators are advised to check for active flight restrictions using an FAA-approved B4UFLY service provider before flying, and anyone observing unauthorized or unsafe drone activity at an event should report it to 911, on-site law enforcement, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
