Parking App Aims to Give Super Bowl Fans Cheaper Options

Startup aims to disrupt the Super Bowl parking industry by helping Santa Clara residents offer up their driveways to big game attendees.

Santa Clara residents may be able to make a bit of money during Super Bowl LX while allowing attendees to save on parking.

A new platform — billed as the Airbnb of parking — is giving residents the ability to rent their driveways and parking spaces to those looking to attend the big game.

The online platform, created by Boca-Raton-based company Prked, saw viral success earlier this month during the college football National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

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During the game, parking prices around Hard Rock Stadium skyrocketed, with the cheapest available spaces going for $747.

More than 800 fans used the platform for the game, saving more than $500,000, all while allowing locals to share in the game’s profits, said Zack Saadioui, CEO and founder Prked.

“It is a great way for them to get something in return for what they have to deal with,” Saadioui said.

Saadioui is hoping Santa Clarans use the platform to similar success during the Super Bowl.

Hosts keep 80% of the revenue from parking. More than 80 people have already put their parking up on Prked; 49 have been verified.

To verify hosts, Prked requires them to provide proof of residence and ownership of the space to be rented. Hosts must also agree to the platform’s terms and conditions.

“They are responsible for knowing local, state or city rules that permit them to rent. It is impossible to check all the laws and regulations,” he said. “For now, we put the responsibility on the host.”

The Santa Clara City Council has approved a Special Event Zone around Levi’s Stadium for the Super Bowl and this year’s FIFA World Cup games. That ordinance limits commercial activity during the games and went into effect Jan. 30 for Super Bowl LX.

The Special Event Zone’s intent is to ensure activity surrounding the stadium remains orderly during the marquee events.

According to the ordinance, “… temporary restrictions on unpermitted vending and commercial activity within these areas are necessary to safeguard pedestrian travel and protect adjacent residential neighborhoods from spillover impacts …”

Prked will assist in that effort, Saadioui said. Often those renting out parking will hold up signs for parking, imploring motorists to follow them to the site. He said he understands why the city would put such policies in place.

“It is a huge hazard. I can see why venues, stadiums don’t want that,” he said.

There are 19,000 attendee parking stalls near the stadium, according to the development permit. However, the city is exploring additional options.

“While most of the parking locations are those typically used during the regular NFL season, additional parking sites are being added to ensure adequate parking capacity for Super Bowl-related events,” Janine De la Vega, the city’s spokesperson, wrote in an email.

Official parking for the game is available online. The city is also partnering with third-party parking providers ParkWhiz and Spot Hero for the game.

The platform offers monthly or standard subscriptions.

While rates are subject to “market dynamics,” Saadioui said Santa Clarans can expect to pay around $50 a day to rent a spot.

For more information about parking, road closures and other transportation, visit sfbayareasuperbowl.com.

Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmial.com