Some U.S. homeowners are making money from World Cup fans — by renting out their driveways.
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An app that’s described as the “Airbnb of parking” is connecting fans with Atlanta homeowners living near that city’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the site of Wednesday’s FIFA World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina.
Rates for official spots in lots at the stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons and the city’s soccer team, are going for “$40 to well over $300,” Willy Merlet, co-founder and chief technology officer of Miami-based Dibs Parking Inc., recently told Realtor.com.
How much homeowners can make from letting fans use their driveways is up to the market, he said. The Dibs app allows homeowners to set their own pricing.
“During high-demand events like the FIFA World Cup, homeowners near stadiums can earn significantly more than they would during a typical event because of increased attendance and limited parking supply,” Merlet said.
That’s especially true in Atlanta, where a large traveling fan base is coming to a city that has dense residential development around the stadium. The app is available in several other U.S. World Cup locations — Miami, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, San Francisco and New Jersey.
Atlanta resident Katie Hulbert told Realtor.com she decided to download the app, which charges a commission, after a flyer was left on her doorstep. She said she’d made around $200 from four bookings after listing her parking space for all available events.
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“It’s an easy way to make some extra cash on the side,” Hulbert said. “It’s so simple and streamlined.”
Prices on the official FIFA World Cup parking site for all stadiums in the tournament that’s also being hosted by cities in Mexico and Canada fluctuate with demand, but are expected to jump 24 hours ahead of match time.
Last fall, most parking passes for group stage matches sold for $75, but by February had risen to an average of $175, The Athletic reported then, with a spot at a mall across a highway from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey priced at $225.
The Fox News affiliate in Los Angeles, Fox11, reported recently that the price for official parking at SoFi Stadium started around $250, while a nearby private lot advertised spots a half-mile walk away for $676.
Realtor.com offered some tips for homeowners interested in earning money from their driveways:
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- Make sure the arrangement complies with local parking ordinances, HOA rules, permit requirements or any restrictions that apply to short-term parking.
- Vehicles should be able to safely enter and exit a homeowner’s property without blocking sidewalks, roads or a neighbor’s driveway.