Red Bull Soapbox Race returns to Denver this Saturday — and it’s free

Maybe you or your kids have competed in a soapbox derby before, but this is a soapbox derby on steroids. The Red Bull Soapbox Race is rolling back into Denver this Saturday, June 13, for the first time in nearly two decades, and it’s completely free to attend.

The race takes place at Empower Field at Mile High, where teams will send their homemade creations flying down a gravity-powered course in the stadium parking lots in hopes of impressing both the judges and the crowd. Colorado hosted the first-ever U.S. Red Bull Soapbox Race in 2002, and the event hasn’t been back to Denver since its 2008 stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The rules are simple: build a creative, nonmotorized vehicle capable of surviving a winding downhill course. Soapbox cars can be no more than six feet wide and 12 feet long, and must sit at least seven inches off the ground. But speed isn’t everything. Teams are judged in three categories: vehicle design, pre-race performance and overall showmanship. In other words, the craziest, most creative teams often steal the show. Spectators can also swing through “Pit Row” in Parking Lot G to meet the teams and cast a vote for the People’s Choice winner.

What you need to know before you go
The Red Bull Soapbox Race is a non-ticketed event; no tickets are required, just show up. Food and drinks will be available to purchase on-site. Limited on-site parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at $25 per space (credit card only).

Race day timeline:

10:00 a.m. — Parking lots open
11:00 a.m. — Gates open
12:00 p.m. — Racing begins
If you’re looking for a unique, family-friendly event this weekend, expect plenty of wild costumes, outrageous vehicles and a few spectacular crashes along the way.

For full arrival instructions and event details, visit Empower Field at Mile High.