Detroit police have shut down three parking lots which were charging fans up to $1,000 to park ahead of the Lions’ playoff clash with the Washington Commanders.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, city officials claim that spaces in the lots – which are owned by online parking company Park-Rite, were priced at a minimum of $900 on the eve of Saturday’s Divisional showdown.
Detroit legal analyst Charlie Langton, meanwhile, claims some spaces were advertised for a four-figure sum.
All three lots are only a short walk away from Ford Field, where the Lions will look to get past Jayden Daniels and Co and reach the NFC Championship game.
And with fans set to make their way to downtown Detroit over the next 24 hours, the business’ license has been suspended after the parking lots were shut down.
It is believed that the lots’ owner is due in court on Friday for a hearing, with a judge set to rule on whether the lots are allowed to be open and what the company needs to do to legally operate them.
Detroit police have shut down three parking lots for price gouging near Ford Field ahead of Saturday’s Lions-Commanders playoff game
The @CityofDetroit shut down three parking lots – owned by Park Rite- after investigators discovered they were advertising $1000 to park on Saturday before the Lions game. @WWJ950 @WWJTraffic @FOX2News #Lions @Lions #parking #Detroit #Friday pic.twitter.com/RjAIb8Joy6
— Charlie Langton (@charlielangton) January 17, 2025 Read More Radio host demands Tom Brady be banned from NFL commentary role
Parking lots often soar in price when big sporting events take place, though not typically for the eye-watering amount Park-Rite were advertising close to Ford Field.
When the Detroit Tigers were in last season’s MLB playoffs, fans could park in the closest lot to Comerica Park for between $50 and $80.
SpotHero, a website that allows fans to book parking spots in advance, has spaces close to Ford Field currently available for up to $150. Some within a further walking distance are priced at just $15.
The Lions, who have never made it to the Super Bowl in their 90-year history, are favorites to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the very first time this year.
As a result, Saturday’s opening playoff game against the Commanders is the H๏τtest ticket in town.
The average ticket price is $836, according to Vivid Seats, and that’s more than $300 more than tickets in Philadelphia and about three times more expensive than it costs to watch games in Kansas City and Buffalo.
Just two games other than the Super Bowl since 2010 had a higher average price for sold tickets, according to the secondary-market ticketing site.
One Lions season-ticket holder said she could potentially sell her pair of $400 tickets for $1,500 each.
‘I remember some games when I couldn’t go, I couldn’t even give tickets away,’ said Brittany Sayles, 39. ‘Now, everyone is asking for tickets.’
