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Cubs Fans: Be Prepared To Shell Out Up To $300 For World Series Parking

By Ariel Cheung | October 25, 2016 5:20am
 Unfortunately for this auto shop, police blocked off portions of Clark Street early Saturday night, prompting attendants to bump parking prices from $100 to $40.
Unfortunately for this auto shop, police blocked off portions of Clark Street early Saturday night, prompting attendants to bump parking prices from $100 to $40.
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DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung

WRIGLEYVILLE — Tickets to the World Series are expensive enough as it is, but Cubs fans driving into Wrigleyville for home games this weekend are in for another financial pummeling.

Parking prices topped $100 in the neighborhood surrounding Wrigley Field during the National League Championship Series, and all signs point to fees jumping even higher for the World Series, which begins in Cleveland on Tuesday but will be in Chicago this weekend.

Listen to Ariel Cheung talk about parking near Wrigley for the World Series.

At Pong's Auto Care, visiting fans ponied up $100 to park Saturday, with many calling in advance to fill the 10 spots in his garage, 3848 N. Clark St.

Parking at Pong's Auto cost $100 for the NLCS and will likely be $150 during the World Series. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

An attendant there said prices would climb to at least $150 for the World Series, which will be in Chicago for Game 3 Friday, Game 4 Saturday and, if necessary, Game 5 Sunday.

One neighbor stationed just east of Irving Park Road and Southport Avenue sold parking for $50 Saturday. At the garage at 3456 N. Clark St., one attendant bemoaned police blocking traffic early Saturday evening, forcing him to drop prices from $100 to $40 with little hope of filling the garage.

"Yeah, I'm really upset, but they do it regularly," he said. "I don't know if they tell the [garage] owner about the plans, but they didn't tell me."

Parking apps and websites give fans a chance to park in spaces rented out by residents or businesses and book in advance to save themselves the game day aggravation.

A Wrigleyville resident offers parking for $50 during the final game of the National League Championship Series, which the Cubs won Saturday. [DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

On ParqEx, users can book private parking spaces that average about $50-$100 near Wrigley Field, as of Monday afternoon. Some are offered for a flat daily fee, while others rent by the hour.

Schools like Blaine and Greeley elementary schools book their large parking lots through Park Jockey, although they're not available for pre-purchase ahead of the weekend. Prices on SpotHero range from $90 to $150.

Parking spots on the ParkWhiz app are already selling out, with other spaces near Wrigley Field topping $300. [Screenshot/ParkWhiz]

Prices top $300 for spots closest to Wrigley Field on ParkWhiz. The app has about 50 locations available each day the Cubs play in Wrigley, with some as low as $27 about one mile from the ballpark.

But more than a dozen locations have already sold out days before the home games, and more will likely follow before Friday.

The Cubs and city officials have implored fans to avoid driving in the neighborhood during the postseason. Often congested even in the regular season, Wrigleyville streets will be further hampered with traffic restrictions and streets overflowing with Cubs fans.

"I recommend you do not bring your car anywhere near the ballpark," said Ald. Tom Tunney (44th).

The team does offer free remote parking at 3900 N. Rockwell St., with free shuttles to transport fans to and from Wrigley Field. Extra bus and "L" train service is also expecting during the World Series, giving fans an alternative option to driving.

The Cubs and Wrigley Field are 95 percent owned by an entity controlled by a trust established for the benefit of the family of Joe Ricketts, owner and CEO of DNAinfo.com. Joe Ricketts has no direct involvement in the management of the iconic team.

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