What is the altitude of the Denver Nuggets arena? Does it give them an advantage?
Located in Denver, Colorado, Ball Arena (previously known as Pepsi Center) is a versatile indoor arena that serves multiple purposes.
The Ball Arena is up on high
Constructed in 1999, the Ball Arena serves as the current home venue for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL), and the Colorado Mammoth of the National Lacrosse League (NLL), having replaced the McNichols Sports Arena. At an elevation of 5,280 feet (which is equivalent to one mile) above sea level, Denver is located at an understandably high altitude.
Truthfully, most people from lower elevations do not fully appreciate the impact of high altitude locations on their health and physical capabilities. Living at such heights can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms associated with altitude sickness until the body gradually becomes accustomed to the lower air pressure and decreased oxygen levels. Imagine for a moment that you have never exercised or hiked at a location that is at a higher altitude than sea level. It stands to reason that you will experience a noticeable reduction in your ability to breathe and maintain your endurance. Typically, it takes a few days for your body to adjust to the altitude and for you to feel comfortable.
Does altitude give the Nuggets an advantage?
Living or vacationing at high altitudes can place additional stress on the body; thus, the evidence indicates a rather conclusive “yes.”
The Denver Nuggets have always embraced the advantages of playing at a high altitude, and the city proudly boasts its “Mile High City” nickname. The team’s home court even features a new design with the numbers “5280″ and “300″ inscribed on the sideline. While “300″ represents the number of sunny days Colorado experiences annually, “5280″ serves as a constant reminder to opponents of the city’s mile-high altitude and the resulting fatigue and breathlessness that can come with it.
Beyond the court design, the Nuggets have utilized their home court to their advantage by playing a fast-paced, run-and-gun style of basketball that keeps opposing teams on their toes and gasping for air during gameplay. This approach has historically been successful for the team and contributes to the intimidating reputation of playing in Denver. Indeed, even the league itself has had a say in the situation.
“The Denver Nuggets have a long history of taking advantage of their mile-high altitude, with a track record on home games of being in the top ten in 32 of the last 40 seasons and ranking in the top five in 25 of those seasons. From 1980 to 1991, the team was first in the league for 10 out of 11 seasons in this category, showcasing their commitment to exploiting their home-court advantage. This fast-paced style of play keeps opposing teams on their heels and puts added pressure on the players’ physical endurance as they must navigate the thin air at a high altitude. The Nuggets have proven themselves adept at capitalizing on this factor and using it to their advantage on the court.”
It’s not just Denver, there’s also Bolivia
Even if you’re not a fan of any other sport basketball, it’s worth noting that the effects of altitude on the performance of athletes in sports has been a talking point for quite some time, and not the least of which is soccer. La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, is the highest in the world at an altitude of 12,000 feet and was temporarily banned alongside Ecuador and Colombia from hosting World Cup qualifying matches back in 2007, on account of being too high. At the time, FIFA - the governing body of soccer - stated that international matches played at an elevation of more than 8,200 feet would not be permitted. The ban was revoked in 2008. Yet, it’s worth noting that to this day any team that travels to Bolivia to play must do so at least 1 week prior to any match due to the requirements of acclimatization to altitude.