On June 12, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in game 5 of the NBA Finals to seal the franchise’s first championship. ESPN reported that game 5 averaged 13.084 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Viewership hit a four-year high, slightly beating last year's NBA Finals game 5 between the Warriors and Celtics (13.016 million).
As audiences tuned in nationwide, the participating cities took advantage of the spotlight to host brand-backed takeovers and over-the-top watch parties. Here’s how the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat gave their hometowns a reason to celebrate.
Denver
Before clinching the title, the Nuggets hosted two official watch parties for away games. The first took place inside Ball Arena, presented by King Soopers and Starry. The $20 entrance tickets benefited Kroenke Sports Charities. The second gathering took place at Denver entertainment center McGregor Square, located next to Coors Field, and flaunted a curved, 66-foot LED screen over the outdoor plaza. Tickets were $30.
Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokić took to the mic at the championship parade.Photo: Courtesy of Visit Denver
On Thursday, June 15, the Denver Nuggets celebrated their first champion title with a championship parade and rally through the streets of downtown Denver. The route began at Union Station and concluded at Civic Center Park. The Denver Nuggets 2023 Champions Celebration was presented by Your Front Range Toyota Stores, Visit Denver, and the City and County of Denver, with community partner support from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Denver Partnership.
“The victory further establishes Denver’s brand as a destination home to world-class sports teams," said Visit Denver president and CEO Richard Scharf. "Projected parade attendance was between 750,000 to 1 million people, and while it is difficult to determine the economic impact of the parade, the foot traffic greatly increased the business in the downtown corridor and attracted media attention and exposure on an international scale."
The Denver Nuggets championship parade began at Union Station and concluded at Civic Center Park.Photo: Courtesy of Visit Denver
He continued, "Our staff coordinated the effort with the City of Denver’s Office of Special Events and the Nuggets' ownership organization, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, who also won the Stanley Cup last year, where more than 500,000 Denverites gathered to celebrate the Colorado Avalanche’s third championship.”
Miami
Watch parties were abundant in South Florida, taking over local bars and venues like Rooftop Cinema Club, Grails, and Carousel Club. Kaseya Center, home to the Miami Heat, hosted Bacardi-backed Road Rallies watch parties inside the arena for all finals away games. The events featured lively appearances by Heat mascot Burnie, the Heat Dancers, arena hosts Uptown Dale and Kelly Blance, and loads of giveaways. The highest-attended Road Rally brought over 7,300 fans into the building.
Kaseya Center, home to the Miami Heat, hosted Bacardi-backed Road Rallies watch parties inside the arena for all finals away games. The events featured lively appearances by Heat mascot Burnie.Photo: Courtesy of Miami Heat
Kaseya Center also launched multiple F&B-themed initiatives during home games. The Premium Spaces—including the Amerant Lounge presented by Grey Goose, American Airlines Lounge presented by Patrón, and Bacardi Ocho Lounge—offered two limited-time cocktails. The Ginny Buckets (an homage to Jimmy Butler’s nickname, “Jimmy Buckets”) featured Bombay Sapphire, fresh lemon, cucumbers, jalapeño, and mint.
The El Fuego (“The Heat” in Spanish) featured Patrón Reposado, fresh lime, agave nectar, and jalapeño. The organization further elevated its access-only spaces (Amerant Lounge and American Airlines Lounge) with chef-driven activations by chef Niven Patel of Orno and chef Jose Icardi of MILA, alongside custom Finals- and Heat-themed cocktail ice cubes.
Heat-themed cocktail ice cubes were on offer at the Road Rallies.Photo: Courtesy of Miami Heat
"As a team, we really wanted to elevate the small details and efforts to make huge impressions for our season ticket members and guests," said Jill Baez, director of premium food and beverage for Levy Restaurants at Kaseya Center. She added, "The goal was to create memorable, impressionable, and photo-worthy experiences and moments for our fans. In our Premium Lounges, our chef tables were taken over by some of Miami's hottest restaurants, with Playoff and Finals ice sculptures overflowing with delectable seafood options and caviar."
General concessions also launched limited-edition “White Hot” menu items (named after the Heat's signature “White Hot” playoffs campaign), including White Hot flaming nachos, White Hot cheddar chili dogs, White Hot mac n’ cheese, White Hot burger, White Hot spicy margarita, and White Hot donuts.
The highest-attended Road Rally brought over 7,300 fans into the building.Photo: Courtesy of Miami Heat
