Morgan Wallen’s Denver celebrity walkout guest: Who will join him at Empower Field this weekend?

When Morgan Wallen takes the stage at Empower Field at Mile High on Friday and Saturday, the biggest question for Colorado fans may not be what he sings — it’s who walks out with him.

Wallen’s celebrity walkout has become one of the most anticipated traditions in live country music. Before each stadium show on his Still the Problem Tour, the country star emerges from the tunnel flanked by a surprise guest — typically a sports legend, entertainer or cultural figure with ties to the host city. Past walkout companions have included Travis Kelce, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drake, Mike Tyson and, on opening night this year in Minneapolis, Vikings legend and newly minted Pro Football Hall of Famer Jared Allen. (Not every stop goes to plan: In Las Vegas earlier this month, Wallen told the crowd all of his planned guests bailed, joking he’d encountered “some flaky a– people in this town.” He also failed to have a walkout guest for either of his Denver shows in 2024.)

So who gets the nod in Denver? Here are the leading candidates:

Peyton Manning is the odds-on favorite. The former Broncos quarterback already has walkout experience — he joined Wallen at a previous tour stop — and is Denver sports royalty who still lives in the area. He’s also a natural entertainer with a comedic presence that fits the vibe. If Wallen’s team wants a safe bet that will send 70,000 fans into a frenzy, Manning is the call.

Nikola Jokic would be the wildcard home run. The three-time NBA MVP is the most famous active athlete in Denver, and a Jokic sighting at a country concert would break the internet. But the Nuggets center is famously low-key and averse to the spotlight off the court, making this a longshot — albeit an electric one if it happened.

Deion Sanders is another strong possibility. The Colorado Buffaloes head coach is one of the most recognizable figures in the state and commands a national following that goes well beyond football. Coach Prime walking out with Wallen at the Broncos’ home stadium would be a collision of two massive fanbases.

Other names worth watching: Von Miller, who remains a beloved Bronco despite now playing elsewhere; Bo Nix, the current Broncos quarterback coming off a breakout season that included a playoff run; John Elway, the franchise icon; or even comedian and Wallen tour fixture Theo Von, who already appears in a pre-recorded video opener but could conceivably make a live appearance. With two nights at Empower Field, there’s room for more than one surprise.

Wallen’s Denver shows — Friday with Brooks & Dunn and Saturday with seven-time ACM Award winner Ella Langley, plus Gavin Adcock and Vincent Mason both nights — kick off at 5:30 p.m. with gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Parking lots open at 1:30 p.m.