Ball Arena Tunnel Proposal Gets Left Behind in Final Cut
A proposed underground tunnel connecting Ball Arena to nearby attractions is no longer in the running after The Boring Company narrowed its competition field.
The concept, often referred to as the “Ball Arena Tunnel,” had been selected as one of 16 finalists from more than 500 submissions in a nationwide contest announced earlier this year. The idea centered on a roughly 330-foot pedestrian tunnel linking Ball Arena to a nearby RTD light rail station, offering fans an alternative to the existing pedestrian bridge and improving access around the venue.
However, when Elon Musk’s company revealed its final three contenders this week, the Denver proposal did not make the cut. The competition challenged participants to design a one-mile tunnel project that could meet real-world standards for usefulness, feasibility, and community impact.
Although the Ball Arena concept advanced deep into the competition, it ultimately fell short of the final round. A couple of other projects were recognized as honorable mentions and could still be discussed further, but only the top three remain in active consideration.
Even for those finalists, there are no guarantees. The Boring Company will now work with local officials, regulators, and community stakeholders to determine whether any of the proposed tunnels can realistically move forward. In the end, it’s possible that one, several—or none—of the ideas will ever be built.
