Event Parking for Hosts: How to Earn More on Game Days and Big Event Weekends

Learn how to earn extra income by renting out your driveway, garage, or car space during game days and major events. Discover why event parking can be one of the most profitable opportunities for Parkhound hosts.

Major sporting events, concerts, and festivals bring thousands of visitors into an area in a short window of time. Commercial car parks near venues fill quickly, and operators often introduce event-specific pricing that pushes costs up on game days. This sends drivers looking for more affordable alternatives close to the action.

For property owners with an unused driveway, garage, or car space, that demand is an opportunity. Game days and major event weekends can be some of the most profitable times to list your space with Parkhound, letting you earn extra income from something that would otherwise sit empty.

Why Game Days and Major Events Drive Higher Parking Earnings

Game days and major events consistently create spikes in parking demand, especially around stadiums, entertainment precincts, and city venues. As thousands of people converge on the same location within a short window, nearby options fill up fast and commercial operators often respond with event-specific pricing that can push costs well above standard rates. For drivers, that trade-off between cost and convenience is exactly what makes privately listed parking spaces so attractive.

In Australia, large-scale events such as AFL and NRL matches, cricket fixtures at venues like the MCG and SCG, as well as major concerts and festivals, regularly draw large crowds. According to Live Performance Australia’s 2024 Attendance and Revenue Report, Australians attended live performances 31.4 million times in 2024, the highest figure recorded since the survey began in 2004, generating $3.4 billion in ticket revenue. This level of demand, concentrated at stadiums and major venues across the country, consistently creates pressure on nearby parking in the hours before and after events.

For hosts, location plays a major role in earning potential. Properties within walking distance of stadiums or well-connected public transport routes typically see the highest demand and can command stronger prices on event days. Even spaces slightly further away can be competitive if they offer easier access, lower cost, or faster exit routes than official venue parking

How to Maximise Your Event Parking Income

Attracting bookings on game days and major event weekends is only part of the opportunity. The way you manage your listing can make a real difference to how much you earn and how often your space gets booked.

One of the most effective ways to improve earnings is to set competitive event-day pricing. On high-demand days, drivers are often willing to pay more for convenience, but pricing still needs to stay attractive compared to nearby commercial car parks. Checking what similar spaces are charging around major venues can help you position your rate effectively without pricing yourself out of bookings.

It’s also important to keep your availability updated well in advance. Many drivers plan ahead for major AFL, NRL, cricket matches, concerts, and festivals, so having your space listed early increases your chances of securing bookings before demand peaks.

Clear listing details can also improve performance. Highlighting proximity to stadiums, entertainment precincts, or public transport options helps drivers quickly understand the convenience of your space. The easier it is for someone to compare your listing with other parking options, the more likely they are to book.

Finally, repeat bookings and positive reviews play a key role in long-term earnings. Reliable hosts who communicate clearly and provide a smooth parking experience are more likely to attract returning drivers, especially for recurring events at the same venue.

Who Can Become an Event Parking Host?

Most property owners with an unused parking space can become an event parking host, as long as they have a secure and accessible area available for drivers. This could be a private driveway, garage, carport, apartment parking space, or an unused parking bay. If your space is located near a stadium, entertainment precinct, or city venue, it can be especially valuable during game days and major event weekends.

One of the main benefits of listing on Parkhound is flexibility. You stay in control of when your space is available and how much you want to charge. This means you can choose to list your space only during high-demand periods like AFL, NRL, cricket matches, concerts, or festivals, or make it available year-round if you prefer. That flexibility also means there’s no pressure to commit to a fixed schedule. You’re not locked into contracts, and you can adjust pricing based on demand and local events. While Parkhound hosts can earn up to $4,200 a year from their space year-round, game days and major event weekends are among the highest-demand periods on the platform, making them an ideal time to list if you’re looking to maximise returns.

From a legal and practical standpoint, most privately owned driveways and parking spaces can be listed without issue, provided you have the right to use the space. If you live in a strata or apartment complex, it’s important to check your building’s by-laws or strata rules, as some schemes may have restrictions on short-term parking rentals. Once confirmed, listing your space can be a straightforward way to monetise unused parking while staying within the rules.

Turn Event Crowds into Additional Income

Game days and major event weekends can create some of the highest demand for parking throughout the year, with thousands of people travelling to stadiums, concert venues, and event precincts all at once. Listing your driveway, garage, or parking space before upcoming events can help you take advantage of these peak periods. The earlier your space is available, the better your chances of securing bookings from drivers planning ahead.

Parkhound makes it easy to connect with drivers looking for convenient event parking close to the action. List your space today and turn local demand into a reliable source of extra income.