If you thought street parking around Dodger Stadium was bad last season, just wait until this year. Late last week the Dodgers announced that on-site, day-of-game parking at Dodger Stadium is being increased from $15 to $20.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that they did not increase the cost if you purchase your parking in advance via the Purchase Parking page on the Dodgers website.

Say what you will, but ten bucks is ten bucks and it will almost get you a Dodger Dog and a small soft drink… almost.

Although the day-of-game parking fee increase will undoubtedly be unpopular among Dodger fans and perceived as another way to squeeze more money out of them, Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten insists that it was not done with the intent to punish loyal Dodger fans or to increase revenue but rather as an incentive to purchase their parking in advance in order to expedite entering Dodger Stadium for everyone.

“The main bottleneck we have is transactions at the gates, that was the first thing they wanted for us to tackle,” said Kasten when the system was initiated last season. “We don’t want to punish anyone who didn’t get it in advance. This is in the name of providing an incentive to get your passes in advance.”

According to Kasten, the whole idea behind offering Dodger fans a discount for purchasing parking in advance is to reduce this. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Dodger fans who purchase their parking in advance on-line will have the option of printing their parking passes at home or downloading them directly onto their smartphones or similar devices – either of which will be quickly scanned at the parking lot gates.

For hearty (and healthy) Dodger fans, the Dodgers are bringing back their economy parking at Lots 13 and 14 for just $5 (also in advance). Lots 13 and 14 are located offsite on Stadium Way near the main (Sunset) gate and allow for easy entrance and exit; however, there is an uphill walk to the stadium from these parking lots.

Dodger Stadium Parking Lots.
(Click on map to enlarge)