If you’re going to see Jeff Dunham, Pitbull or TobyMac at Hertz Arena, you might be in for a parking-lot surprise. Especially if you haven’t been to a concert in a few months.
The cost of parking has jumped at the Estero venue. In some cases, it’s double what it was just four years ago.
There are lots of reasons for that, says Hertz Arena general managerScott Bryant. And they have nothing to do with greed or fleecing customers.
“The cost of parking had to go up with everything we do,” Bryant says. “We certainly don’t like increasing prices.”
Here’s everything you need to know about parking price increases at Hertz Arena.
How much is parking at Hertz Arena?
It depends on the show. Most concerts will set you back $30 now — up from $25 last year.
That includes all the big concerts scheduled for the next five months, such as ventriloquist Jeff Dunham on Jan. 29 and upcoming shows with Pitbull, TobyMac, Old Dominion, Koe Wetzel, Annuel AA and Casting Crowns.
The change to concert parking happened Nov. 1, Bryant says. Parking for hockey games and kids events went up a few years before that.
Generally, all concerts now cost $30 for parking, Bryant says. Florida Everblades hockey games are $15, up from $10 just a few years ago, Bryant says. And kids/family shows are usually $15 — with the exception of Disney on Ice in March. That’s $25 now, up from $20 last year.
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Why did Hertz Arena raise parking fees?
There are a lots of reasons, Bryant says. And inflation, Hurricane Ian and the rising cost of minimum wage are at the top of the list.
“A lot of it is due to inflation,” Bryant says. “A lot of it has to do with the cost of quite literally everything these days.”
That includes electricity — a big expense when it comes to air-conditioning and lighting the 8,284-capacity arena and also maintaining its hockey rink.
“Our electric bill is enormous,” Bryant says. “And to run three sheets of ice in Florida is very expensive, as you can imagine.”
Other increased expenses range from the cost of hiring sheriff’s deputies for traffic control and safety to minimum wage rising $1 every year to property and liability insurance doubling because of Hurricane Ian, Bryant says.
“We’re paying wages like we’ve never seen before in this industry,” he says. “Not only has the cost of labor gone up, but our cost of materials, our food, our beverage, our parking lot supplies, parking lot maintenance, our landscaping maintenance, our lighting, our electricity, our cost for security.”
Bryant is quick to point out one important thing, though: Yes, prices are going up for parking. But Hertz has also been bringing in more big-name acts — everyone from Pitbull to Luke Bryan.
“We’re continuing to have great concerts,” Bryant says. “I’m really proud of all the concerts that we’ve been able to get — and they’re big concerts.”
How big of a price hike is this?
The cost of parking for concerts has doubled in the last four years at the arena.
Back in 2018, parking for most concerts was $15, Bryant says. Then it went to $20 in 2019, then $25 in 2020 and now $30.
In some cases, parking can now cost more than the show, itself. The Feb. 4 TobyMac show offers some seats for $15, but parking is $30. And for the March 16 Disney On Ice show, tickets start at $23, but parking is $25.
How does Hertz Arena parking compare to other Florida cities?
That depends on the venue. It’s actually cheaper to park at some big-city arenas (but not by much).
Amalie Arena parking in Tampa averages about $20-$25 a day, according to online articles.
Parking at Orlando’s Amway Center is $10-$20 for City of Orlando owned lots, $20 to pre-pay for parking in neighboring Geico Garage and HD Supply Garage.
And parking at FLA Live Arena in Sunrise is $35-$45 (although you can save $10 by getting pre-paid parking).
Still, Bryant points out that parking for many publicly owned arenas is government-subsidized. Hertz Arena doesn’t have that advantage.
“We’re a privately owned arena and company,” Bryant says.“We get no help from Lee County, and we’re not a municipally owned building.”
Another big difference: You might have to walk a lot farther when parking for some of those other arenas, he says. The Hertz lot surrounds the building, and you only have 100 to 200 yards to go. Plus it’s well-lighted and supervised by attendants and law enforcement.
Is there a cheaper way to park for Hertz Arena shows?
Yep. You can do what thousands of other people do: Park next door at Miromar Outlets.
And it’s free, too.
Miromar’s huge parking lot empties out as it nears closing time (8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday). So people often park there and walk over to the arena.
Surprisingly, Hertz Arena is OK with the practice.
“If people don’t want to pay the parking, if they don’t want to pay $30 to park, we encourage them to park over at Miromar — where it’s free,” Bryant says. “And Miromar Outlets has graciously allowed us to have overflow parking over there.”
You can park on the northern and western portions of the Miromar lot and walk across to Hertz Arena using the access road parallel to Interstate 75.
“A lot of people don’t realize that,” Bryant says. “But we tell people that.”
He just asks them to access the lot via the Miromar entrances, not through the Hertz Arena parking lot. Otherwise, it could lead to delays and headaches for everyone.
He also encourages people to shop and eat at Miromar while they’re there.
Miromar Outlets didn’t respond to requests for comment.
And here’s another parking option that’s free — but only if you happen to drive a Lexus.
“We have what is called the Lexus Lot, which is sponsored by Germain Lexus,” Bryant says. “And the first 50 Lexuses that come in get free parking in that lot. … A lot of people don’t know about that.”
Could parking increase more in the future?
Possibly. But Bryant says there aren’t any plans to raise prices yet.
Then again, bigger shows might require it.
“We take risks on some concerts,” Bryant says. “This is an extreme example, but let’s say that we bring a huge artist in here.
"In order to get that show, we’re gonna have to raise our parking. We’re going to have to raise our prices if the show is somebody like a Taylor Swift.”
Swift is unlikely to happen, he admits. But if it does, prices might increase — including parking fees.
The reasons: They’ll need more staff and more parking attendants, for example, and the show could require employees to work longer hours.
Connect with this reporter:Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News.Email him atcrunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1). You can also call at 239-335-0368.
