Rapids fans will see new additions at Dick’s Sporting Goods in 2023

Fans greet the Colorado Rapids on the field for an MLS soccer game against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, March 4, 2023 in Commerce City, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rapids fans will find some new additions to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park this season – and the first one is worth a toast: a bar owned by Oskar Blues Brewery called Dale’s.

The Colorado brewery has entered into a four-year partnership with the team, which includes sponsorship of the only bar at Dick’s. Though the signs weren’t changed in time for the March 4 start of the season, the former Eighteen76 bar is now called Dale’s Bar, a nod to the brewery’s flagship product, Dale’s Pale Ale.

The bar also serves Double Dale’s IPA, Dale’s American Lager, Hazy Blues Juicy IPA, as well as Oskar Blues’ Hard Seltzer brand, Wild Basin, and other beers.

While the bar and its beer selection are certainly new, they’re hardly the only change fans will see.

Centennial 38, the Rapids’ largest independent supporter group, has grown significantly in recent seasons. So much so that the club approved adding a section that will cover both 117 and 118.

The group is also bringing the new bar into one of their oldest traditions: “The Oar”. At the end of every home game, fans award a unique 3-foot oar paddle to the Rapids player deemed Man of the Match. From this season the oars are hanging in Dale’s Bar – conveniently located off the C38.

“It’s important for the entire fanbase to recognize the players who come to cheer and those who put in exceptional performances,” said C38 President Dave Wegner. “We would definitely like to encourage everyone at the stadium to come to the South End to attend the ceremony.”

Other changes are the following:

• The C38 sections will be updated with safe stand rails that match those of other supporter sections in the MLS.
• QR codes on the back of the seats that link to song sheets so fans can sing along with those in the South End (particularly songs in the 38th and 76th minutes since Colorado is the 38th state, founded in 1876)
• Players will resume singing with fans after the game and those not on the matchday squad will meet with fans at the tailgate before the game and at Dale’s Bar after the game

“There’s been a lot of ideas thrown around in the off-season over the last 10 years, and in the last two months we’ve probably implemented 90% of those ideas,” Wegner said.