Visiting Colorado Springs for a Game?

Colorado Springs is served by Colorado Springs Airport (COS), located approximately 12 miles southeast of downtown, with a drive of roughly 20 minutes in normal traffic. Uber and Lyft both operate at COS, and taxis are available curbside with fares averaging $35-$40 to downtown. Fans flying into Denver International Airport (DEN) instead can reach Colorado Springs via Groome Transportation shuttle, which runs hourly and costs $40-$55 for the roughly two-hour trip south on I-25.

Colorado Springs is a car-dependent city, and visiting sports fans will find a rental car the most practical option for reaching venues like Falcon Stadium, which sits on the U.S. Air Force Academy grounds north of the city. Mountain Metropolitan Transit (Mountain Metro) operates the city's bus network and includes a free downtown connector called The Zeb, but routes to the Academy and stadium require advance planning and are not fan-trip-friendly on game days. Uber and Lyft are active throughout the city and are a solid backup for getting between downtown, Old Colorado City, and your hotel.

Downtown Colorado Springs is the most convenient base for visiting fans, offering walkable bars and restaurants near Monument Valley Park, with hotels ranging from roughly $120-$220 per night for mid-range chains like the Marriott and Antlers Hotel. The North Academy Boulevard corridor is a practical budget option (hotels in the $80-$130 range) and sits closer to Falcon Stadium for those prioritizing a short pre-game drive. Old Colorado City, the historic district just west of downtown, offers boutique lodging and a lively bar scene for post-game socializing. Book well in advance for high-profile Air Force home games like the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy matchups against Army and Navy, which draw significant crowds to the region.

Colorado Springs is a unique sports travel destination anchored by the U.S. Air Force Academy and its Falcons football program, which plays at the high-altitude Falcon Stadium with Pikes Peak as a backdrop, one of the most visually stunning venues in all of college football. The Commander-in-Chief's Trophy rivalry games against Army and Navy are must-see events and carry genuine national-security-branch pride that creates an atmosphere unlike any typical college rivalry. The city is also home to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, making it a worthwhile stop for any sports fan interested in American athletic history beyond the game-day experience. Minor league hockey (the Colorado Eagles formerly played here before relocating) and proximity to Denver's professional sports scene, about 70 miles north via I-25, give fans extended multi-sport itinerary options.