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Are you excited for the upcoming NFL season?
Before you grab your jersey and head to the stadium, there’s an important factor you need to consider – game day parking costs in the NFL.
We’ve crunched the numbers and uncovered some eye-popping figures that might just leave you stunned.
The Game Day Experience: Beyond the Field
As passionate NFL fans, we often focus on the heart-pounding action on the gridiron. The touchdowns, interceptions, and last-minute victories are what make us love the game. But what about the logistics that come with attending a live game?
The moment you decide to drive to the stadium, you’re stepping into a world of parking options, each with its own price tag.
Week 1 Showdowns: A Closer Look
Let’s dive right into the numbers for Week 1 matchups and see how NFL stadium parking rates stack up. The figures are based on the cheapest available average prices from various ticket platforms, giving you an idea of what you might encounter when you arrive at the stadium.
Here’s a snapshot of the average & median game day parking costs around the NFL for Week 1:
| Average Price | Median Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit @ Kansas City | $69.07 | $69.00 |
| Carolina @ Atlanta | $85.68 | $85.50 |
| Cincinnati @ Cleveland | $261.28 | $264.50 |
| Jacksonville @ Indianapolis | $108.27 | $91.00 |
| Tampa Bay @ Minnesota | $74.30 | $73.44 |
| Tennessee @ New Orleans | $111.32 | $111.00 |
| San Francisco @ Pittsburgh | $106.34 | $108.13 |
| Arizona @ Washington | $114.71 | $107.00 |
| Houston @ Baltimore | $139.22 | $122.76 |
| Green Bay @ Chicago | $161.52 | $121.00 |
| Las Vegas @ Denver | $163.38 | $163.23 |
| Philadelphia @ New England | $739.00 | $645.00 |
| Miami @ LA Chargers | $132.49 | $128.33 |
| LA Rams @ Seattle | $262.03 | $263.63 |
| Dallas @ NY Giants | $77.11 | $79.00 |
| Buffalo @ NY Jets | $104.65 | $92.00 |
| Prices are for the cheapest available listing from 11 secondary market ticket sellers and include all fees as of 8/3/23 | ||
Unraveling the Numbers: Insights and Observations
As we dissect the data, several trends emerge. It’s clear that game day parking costs can fluctuate significantly depending on the teams playing, the location of the stadium, and other factors. For instance:
- Game day parking for Gillette Stadium has traditionally been the priciest. Average secondary market costs for Pats home games were 2nd-highest in 2021 and tops in ‘22. Not surprisingly, the 2023 home opener vs. the Eagles brings more of the same.
- The average and median price tag of $739 & $645, respectively, is the highest we’ve ever recorded for a regular season game. That’s even more than the cost of parking for the 2022 NFC Championship Game. Again, I should remind you that those prices are for the cheapest available parking passes.
- What, pray tell, is the overall average for a Week 1 Patriots parking pass? $988. Yes, that’s correct. $9-8-8! Read: How Much Can You Save on Gillette Stadium Parking?
- The next 2 most expensive game day parking passes for Week 1 also come as no surprise. The LA Rams @ Seattle averages $262 ($264 median), & Bengals @ Browns is $261 ($265 median). Last season, those teams had the 6th- & 4th-highest average parking cost, respectively.
- On the opposite end of the spectrum, the lowest average and median price is for the Chiefs game on Thursday night. Game day parking for KC home games 6th- & 4th-lowest on average for the ‘21 and ‘22 seasons, respectively.
Navigating the Game Day Parking Costs in the NFL
Not only is NFL game day parking more expensive than ever, in some cases it costs even more than a ticket to the game itself:
- The average cheapest parking for the Eagles-Pats $268 (57%) more than the average cheapest ticket to the game.
- The average cheapest parking at Lumen Field is $103 (65%) higher than the average cheap seat.
- Cleveland Browns parking for Week 1 is $106 (68%) more than average lowest-priced game ticket.
There are some abnormally HUGE pricing deviations amongst the sites. How huge? In particular, let’s look at the Eagles-Pats game. One reseller’s cheapest official parking pass listed at $1,126. That’s an astonishing $816 more than the site with the lowest price.
Additionally, let’s consider the Chicago Bears home opener. The best price for a spot at Grant Park South Garage was going for $212 on one site, and $47 on another. To put that in perspective, the (difference of) $165 would be the 4th-highest Week 1 price.
Summary
So, if they haven’t already, what can you do to ensure that parking costs at NFL stadiums don’t take you by surprise? Here are a few strategies to consider:
- Public Transportation: If possible, explore public transportation options that can take you directly to the stadium, bypassing parking challenges altogether.
- Comparison shopping: If you’re familiar with this site at all, then you know that not all secondary market ticket sellers are created equal. Read: How Much Money Can You Save on NFL Parking?
- Off-site parking: Off-site NFL parking has its pros & cons. But what if budget is a priority and mass transit isn’t an option? Notably, parking away from the stadium can save you hundreds – yes, hundreds! – on game day parking costs. Read: NFL Stadium Parking vs. Offsite Parking.