Mexico City residents offer World Cup parking for over $125 per game

Residents living near Mexico City's Estadio Azteca are capitalizing on the 2026 World Cup by offering their private parking spaces. Prices for these spots range from 800 to 2,200 pesos (approximately $46 to $125) per game.

This entrepreneurial move follows the closure of the stadium's official parking facilities for World Cup events. Many residents experienced significant disruptions due to stadium renovations and now see this as a way to recoup their losses and profit from the influx of visitors. "It was a long time of 'you can't pass,' 'the street is closed.' Every time there are games at the stadium it's a hassle, with this World Cup it became hell trying to get to your house under the pretext of construction, and I don't see anything different; now at least let it give us something," said Leonardo, a resident offering five spots for 2,200 pesos each.

To manage access, the Coyoacán mayor's office is issuing QR codes to residents based on a census of vehicles and proof of address. While these codes are officially non-transferable, residents claim that a simple proof of address is sufficient to obtain them. They then sell these access rights to drivers. Paula, a homemaker, offers a parking spot for 800 pesos if booked for all three games, stating, "No problem with the address, I'll present the proof of address to get the code and pass it to you."

The "Last Mile" security and logistics protocol, implemented by FIFA and local authorities, creates a closed, pedestrian-only perimeter around the stadiums. This measure, combined with the closure of official parking, creates a demand that local residents are eager to meet, turning their neighborhood into a lucrative, albeit temporary, parking lot.