Welcome, fellow event-goer! Are you ready to make your MetLife Stadium experience as smooth as possible? One of the biggest hassles of attending a major event is often the parking. But what if I told you there's a way to skip the stress and secure your spot in advance? Yes, you absolutely can prepay for parking at MetLife Stadium for many events, and it's highly recommended! Prepaying not only guarantees you a spot but can also save you time and potentially money on event day. Let's dive into how you can do it, step-by-step.
The Ultimate Guide to Prepaying for Parking at MetLife Stadium
Step 1: Determine Your Event Type and Parking Needs ️
Before you even think about clicking "purchase," the very first thing you need to figure out is what kind of event you're attending. Is it an NFL game (Jets or Giants)? A concert? A soccer match? The rules and availability for parking prepayment can vary.
NFL Games: For New York Jets and New York Giants games, prepaid parking permits are almost always required to park on the MetLife Sports Complex grounds. Season Ticket Holders often have specific parking arrangements, and individual game parking passes are typically available through official channels.
Concerts & Other Events: For many concerts, soccer matches, and other special events, prepaid parking is highly encouraged and often available, though sometimes you can also pay upon arrival (usually with a credit card, as cash is often not accepted). However, prepaying is still the most convenient and secure option.
Consider these questions:
What date is the event?
What time does it start? (Parking lots usually open 5 hours before kickoff/event start.)
Are you part of a season ticket holder group?
Do you require ADA accessible parking? (These spots are available in specific lots like E, F, and G, and require a valid ADA license plate/hang tag and often a prepaid parking permit.)
Do you plan on tailgating? (Tailgating is generally permitted in most lots if you stay within your designated space.)
Step 2: Identify Official and Recommended Prepayment Channels
Once you know your event, it's time to find where to buy your parking pass. Always aim for official or officially partnered platforms to avoid scams and ensure your pass is valid.
MetLife Stadium's Official Website: The MetLife Stadium website is your primary source for general parking information, including links to purchase passes for various events. Look for the "Parking" or "Plan Your Visit" sections.
Team-Specific Websites (Jets/Giants): For NFL games, the New York Jets and New York Giants official websites will have dedicated parking FAQs and links to purchase passes, often through Ticketmaster or their own account management portals.
Ticketmaster: For many events, including NFL games, concerts, and other stadium events, parking passes are sold directly through Ticketmaster. You can often find parking as an "add-on" when purchasing your event tickets, or you can search for "parking" specifically for your event date.
American Dream Website: American Dream, located across the street from MetLife Stadium, offers prepaid parking in Lots 26, 27, and 28 for MetLife Stadium events. This can be a convenient option.
Third-Party Parking Apps (e.g., ParkMobile, ParkWhiz): Reputable parking reservation apps like ParkMobile and ParkWhiz often partner with venues or nearby lots to offer prepaid parking. These can sometimes provide alternative options or competitive pricing, but always verify they are legitimate for MetLife Stadium events.
Step 3: The Purchase Process: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Now that you know where to look, let's go through the typical purchase steps.
3.1: Navigate to the Event's Parking Page
Go to the official MetLife Stadium website, the relevant team's website (Jets or Giants), Ticketmaster, or the American Dream website.
Search for your specific event.
Look for a section related to "Parking," "Transportation," or "Add-ons."
3.2: Select Your Event Date and Parking Type
You'll likely be prompted to select the date of your event.
If there are different parking types (e.g., General Parking, VIP Parking, Oversized Vehicle Parking), select the one that applies to you. For NFL games, parking passes are often color-coded (e.g., Platinum for Club and Suite holders, Gold for other season ticket holders and general public).
3.3: Review Pricing and Availability
Parking prices vary significantly based on the event and the specific lot. For NFL games, expect anywhere from $45-$75 for regular vehicles, with higher prices for limousines, RVs, and buses. Concerts and other events may have different rates.
Availability can be limited, especially for popular events, so booking in advance is crucial.
3.4: Add to Cart and Proceed to Checkout
Once you've selected your parking pass, add it to your shopping cart.
Proceed to the checkout page, where you'll need to enter your payment information. Most platforms accept major credit cards.
3.5: Receive Your Parking Pass
After a successful purchase, you'll typically receive your parking pass via email.
This pass will often be a PDF to print at home or a mobile pass that can be added to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Important Note for NFL Games: While event tickets are often mobile-only, parking passes for NFL games may still require a printed PDF. Always check the specific instructions provided with your purchase. Screenshots of mobile passes are generally not accepted due to security features (e.g., dynamic barcodes).
3.6: Prepare for Event Day
Print your PDF parking pass if required, or ensure your mobile pass is easily accessible on your phone and its screen brightness is turned up.
Have your pass prominently displayed as you approach the parking attendants at MetLife Stadium.
Arrive early! Parking lots typically open five hours before an event, and traffic can be heavy. Arriving early gives you time to navigate, find your spot, and enjoy any pre-event festivities.
Important Considerations for Prepaying Parking
Read the Fine Print: Always review the terms and conditions of your parking pass. Pay attention to lot opening/closing times, vehicle restrictions, and any tailgating rules.
No Cash Accepted On-Site (Often): Many MetLife Stadium parking lots are cashless, meaning you'll need a credit card if you plan to pay upon arrival (if that option is even available for your event). Prepaying avoids this entirely.
Accessible Parking: If you require ADA accessible parking, ensure your vehicle has a valid state-issued accessible parking license plate or hang tag, and the person it's issued to is in the vehicle. You'll still need a prepaid permit.
Oversized Vehicles: If you're driving an RV, bus, or other oversized vehicle, special parking arrangements and higher fees apply. You'll usually need to contact event organizers or team representatives directly for these passes.
Resale and Transfer: For season ticket holders, parking passes for NFL games can often be resold or transferred through official team account managers.
FAQ: Your Quick Answers to Parking at MetLife Stadium
How to purchase parking for MetLife Stadium events?
You can purchase parking for MetLife Stadium events through the official MetLife Stadium website, team websites (Jets/Giants) for NFL games, Ticketmaster, American Dream's dedicated parking page, or trusted third-party apps like ParkMobile or ParkWhiz.
How to get my prepaid parking pass for MetLife Stadium?
Your prepaid parking pass will typically be sent to you via email. It will often be a PDF to print at home or a mobile pass that you can add to your Apple or Google Wallet. Always check the specific instructions for your event.
How to find parking rates for MetLife Stadium?
Parking rates vary by event. You can find the specific rates when you select your event date and parking type on the official ticketing or parking websites. NFL game parking can range from $45-$75 per vehicle.
How to know if I need a prepaid parking permit for MetLife Stadium?
For New York Jets and New York Giants games, a prepaid parking permit is typically required for entry into the MetLife Sports Complex lots. For other events like concerts, while not always strictly required, prepaying is highly recommended and usually available.
How to access ADA accessible parking at MetLife Stadium?
Accessible parking is available in designated lots (e.g., E, F, and G) for guests with valid state-issued ADA license plates or hang tags. You will also need a prepaid parking permit for NFL games.
How to print my MetLife Stadium parking pass?
If your parking pass is a PDF, you can log into your account on the purchasing platform (e.g., Ticketmaster, team account manager), locate your parking pass, and select the "Print" option to generate a PDF file that you can then print.
How to use a mobile parking pass at MetLife Stadium?
If your pass is mobile, save it to your smartphone's digital wallet (Apple Wallet or Google Wallet). When arriving at the lot, have your phone ready with the pass displayed and the screen brightness turned up for easy scanning by the attendant. Screenshots are usually not valid.
How to find out parking lot opening times for MetLife Stadium events?
MetLife Stadium parking lots typically open five hours prior to the scheduled start time of an event. However, it's always best to check the specific event page or "Know Before You Go" guide on the MetLife Stadium website for exact times.
How to pay for parking on-site at MetLife Stadium if I don't prepay?
For events where on-site payment is permitted (often not for NFL games), you will typically need to pay by credit card upon arrival. Cash is usually not accepted in MetLife Stadium parking lots.
How to find alternative parking near MetLife Stadium?
Besides the official MetLife Stadium lots, some nearby establishments like American Dream and Redd's Restaurant offer prepaid parking with shuttle services. Apps like ParkMobile and ParkWhiz may also list other available lots in the vicinity.
