Fans attending Thursday’s opening day festivities near Shell Energy Stadium reported parking prices reaching as high as $80 at some privately operated lots surrounding the festival grounds, according to photos and accounts shared with Chron.
One fan shared photos showing an $80 parking sign posted near Emancipation Avenue and Rusk Street during Thursday’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa.
By the time the match ended later that evening, the same lot had reportedly reduced its parking rate to $25.
“Definitely saw high prices as well ranging from $60-$80 before the Mexico game,” one user noted on Reddit. “Later in the early evening the prices were changed when we were leaving.”
While parking prices around major sporting events often fluctuate based on demand, some fans expressed frustration at paying prices that rivaled or exceeded the cost of attending other local events.
Houston attorney Yusuf Bavi said many people might informally describe the situation as “price gouging,” but noted it does not meet Texas’ legal definition.
“Legally speaking, price gouging only applies to necessities,” Bavi said. “It does not apply to parking spaces.”
Bavi compared event parking to other market-driven purchases where operators can charge what customers are willing to pay.
“Think about it like this: suppose there was an event across from your house or apartment and you decided to rent your parking spot out, you would be able to set the price,” he explained.
For fans planning to attend upcoming matches—especially as Team USA enters the tournament and weekend crowds grow—Thursday may have offered an early lesson: the Fan Festival itself might be free, but parking near it could come at a premium.