Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida is home to the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the NCAA’s South Florida Bulls football team. With a capacity of over 65,000, it hosts some of the largest sporting events in the Tampa Bay area throughout the year. For big games like Buccaneers home games or college bowl games, parking can be a challenge with tens of thousands of fans descending on the stadium. Having a parking plan and understanding the parking options and costs around Raymond James Stadium is key to having a smooth experience getting to events.
Overview of Event Parking at Raymond James Stadium
There are a number of parking options in the vicinity of Raymond James Stadium for major events:
Stadium Lots
Raymond James Stadium has several large parking lots surrounding the venue that are available for event parking. These lots are operated by the stadium and parking passes must be purchased in advance online. Prices vary by event but are typically in the $20-40 range. The advantage of the stadium lots is convenience – they are right next to the venue. The downside is the cost and time it takes to get in and out of the lots before and after an event.
Offsite Lots
In addition to the stadium parking lots, there are a number of privately operated offsite lots within a 1-2 mile radius of Raymond James Stadium. Prices are generally cheaper than the stadium lots – $10-30 per car. While not as close as the stadium lots, many offsite lots offer shuttle service to/from the stadium which makes for an easy trip. These lots are a nice budget option but do require more planning as passes need to be bought ahead of time.
On Street Parking
For those looking to avoid the hassle of parking lots altogether, on street parking is available on roads near Raymond James Stadium. This option provides maximum flexibility as no pass is required – just show up and park on game day. Meters and residential areas will be restricted, but spaces can be found within a 1 mile walk if arriving early enough. Prices vary but often run about $10-20 per car. Do keep in mind that the streets can get very congested and street parking is not directly serviced by shuttles.
Ride Sharing/Taxi
Using a ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft or taking a taxi are other parking alternatives for getting to/from Raymond James Stadium. While convenient, ride share prices often surge 2-3X normal rates for big games making this an expensive option. Still it does avoid parking altogether and provides door to door service. Expect to pay $30-50+ each way for an Uber/Lyft ride during a major event. Taxis will fall within the same price range and can be hailed from designated taxi pickup areas at the stadium before and after events.
Detailed Breakdown of Parking Options and Pricing
Below is more detailed information on the various event parking options around Raymond James Stadium, including specifics on locations, number of spaces, transportation options and pricing:
Stadium Lots
Lot Name | # Spaces | Shuttle Access | Price Range |
Red Lot | 2,400 | No | $30-60 |
Blue Lot | 2,800 | No | $30-60 |
Gray Lot | 3,100 | No | $30-60 |
Yellow Lot | 1,700 | No | $20-40 |
Green Lot | 1,500 | No | $20-40 |
The stadium lots range in price from $20 on the low end in Yellow and Green up to $60 for prime spots in Red and Blue. There are over 11,500 total spaces in the stadium lots which require passes purchased in advance through the Raymond James Stadium website or third party resellers. No shuttle access is offered since the lots are immediately adjacent to the stadium.
Offsite Parking
Lot Name | Distance to Stadium | # Spaces | Shuttle Access | Price Range |
Tampa Greyhound Track | 1 mile | 2,000 | Yes | $10-20 |
Tampa Stadium Parking | 1.5 miles | 1,200 | Yes | $15-25 |
Patel Family Parking | 0.8 miles | 500 | No | $20-30 |
Raymond James Parking | 1.2 miles | 800 | Yes | $10-15 |
Offsite parking ranges from large professionally operated lots like Tampa Greyhound Track to smaller informal lots like Patel Family Parking. Spaces run $10-30 with the smaller informal lots on the higher end closer to the stadium. Many offsite lots, though not all, offer free shuttle service to Raymond James Stadium which runs regularly before and after events. Passes for these lots need to be purchased ahead of time online.
On Street Parking
Parking is available on residential streets within a 1 mile radius of Raymond James Stadium, excluding areas with parking meters or residential permit restrictions. Pricing is set by the City of Tampa and varies by demand, but typically runs $10-20 per vehicle. No passes or reservations are required for on street parking – it is first come, first served. While very convenient, keep in mind that traffic congestion before and after major events can be significant.
Ride Share & Taxi
Service | Pickup Location | Price Estimate* |
Uber/Lyft | Designated rideshare lot | $30-50+ each way |
Taxi | Designated taxi stands | $30-50+ each way |
*Prices often surge 2-3X normal rates for major events
Using Uber/Lyft involves being dropped off/picked up from a designated rideshare lot about 0.5 miles from stadium entrances. Taxi stands are located right at stadium entrances for convenient pickup/dropoff. No reservations required, but prices fluctuate greatly depending on demand around event times.
Best Options for Different Circumstances
With so many parking choices, which option is best for you depends on your specific needs and circumstances:
Convenience First
If you want speed and convenience above all, the stadium lots are your best bet. While pricey, they offer the closest parking with no need for shuttles. If budget is a concern, on street parking also provides convenience without the reservation, though traffic may be an issue.
Cost-Conscious
For those focused mainly on price, offsite lots are likely the top choice. They run $10-30 per car, many with shuttle service included. On street parking is another budget option at $10-20 but involves more logistical challenges.
Driving Not Ideal
If you would prefer not to drive at all, ride sharing or taxis are solid options. Prices surge for big games but you avoid parking altogether and get dropped off right at stadium entrances. You also avoid driving congestion which can be a major advantage.
Planning Ahead
No matter which option you choose, purchasing passes and making reservations well in advance is highly recommended for major events. Availability becomes limited as game day approaches, so plan ahead as early as possible.
Insider Tips
Keep these tips in mind to master event parking at Raymond James Stadium:
- Allow plenty of time – traffic and parking delays are common
- Bring cash for on street parking and ride sharing tips
- Check all lot restrictions – some ban tailgating
- Pay attention to shuttle schedules if using offsite lots
- Consider Lyft/Uber for quick exit after event ends
- Check alternate transit options like the TECO Streetcar
Conclusion
With standard stadium parking passes ranging from $20-60 per vehicle and offsite lots and on street parking running $10-30 in most cases, event parking at Raymond James Stadium offers options at varying price points. While convenience comes at a premium closest to the stadium, great budget choices exist a short shuttle ride away. No matter which parking option you choose, planning ahead and allowing plenty of time will set you up for the smoothest transportation experience. With the right preparation, you can focus on enjoying the big game or event and not worrying about parking logistics.