Nassau Coliseum Expanding Pre-Pay Parking Program

In response to the public outcry over parking fees at the newly renovated NYCB LIVE Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, the venue is expanding its online parking pass purchasing program, which offers parking for half the price as paying at the lot does.

The Nassau Coliseum will now be offering an unlimited number of passes online, as opposed to the limited number that were offered for the first shows at the venue. Purchasing parking passes online costs $20 or less -- up to half what it would cost at the gate, especially for big events.

"We’re pleased to announce that we’re expanding the online program to offer unlimited passes at $20 or less, further encouraging customers to buy their parking passes online in advance instead of paying onsite," said Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, which manages the Coliseum. "By expanding the program, not only will guests save on parking, they will enter more efficiently and also help reduce delays for other patrons. Those that do not prepay will incur higher parking fees onsite for concerts."

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The Coliseum does not charge a flat-fee for parking. The venue has three different pricing tiers depending on the event. Parking for the Billy Joel concert that opened up the Coliseum was $40 at the gate -- the same price for the upcoming Barbara Streisand concert on May 4.

Purchasing parking in advance costs $5 to $15 for family shows and events and $20 for concerts and "limited special events." At the gate, prices for family events are still $5 to $15, but the fee for concerts goes up to $30 and the special event parking fee jumps to $40.

Concert-goers can purchase their parking passes when they buy tickets online through Ticketmaster, or by visiting the Coliseum's parking page. In addition, those who purchase parking in advance will have access to express lanes to enter the parking lot. Parking passes can be printed or scanned on a mobile device.

Photo: Alex Costello/Patch