JustPark has acquired BigParking in a move set to significantly expand its event and matchday parking operations across the UK. The deal brings more than 120 additional event locations into JustPark’s network, adding tens of thousands of parking spaces near major stadiums and live entertainment venues.
Newly added sites include parking close to high-profile venues such as Emirates Stadium, Anfield and St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. The acquisition also positions JustPark as a parking partner to several leading football clubs, including Brentford FC, Swansea City AFC, Birmingham City and Wrexham AFC.
Through the integration, parking spaces will be made available on JustPark’s marketplace using its EventPass solution, allowing fans to reserve a space in advance and better plan their journeys to matches and other live events.
Tackling event-day parking stress
The acquisition comes against a backdrop of widespread dissatisfaction with event-day parking in the UK. Traditionally, parking near stadiums and arenas has relied heavily on on-the-day availability, often creating uncertainty for drivers and operational challenges for venues.
Research conducted by JustPark among thousands of drivers found that 84% said parking stress had negatively impacted previous event attendance. More than half, 56%, reported leaving events early because of parking issues, while 48% said they had spent more than 30 minutes searching for a space at a ticketed event.
By combining JustPark’s digital reservation technology with BigParking’s national event parking portfolio, the companies aim to shift toward a more coordinated, pre-planned model for event parking. The goal is to reduce congestion, improve arrival experiences and provide greater certainty for fans.
Scaling EventPass and SeasonPass
Central to the deal is the accelerated rollout of JustPark Passes, including EventPass, a pre-bookable parking product designed specifically for live events. First introduced in the UK last year at The O2, EventPass allows venues, parking operators and landowners to sell parking spaces at fixed rates tied to specific events.
Alongside EventPass, JustPark plans to introduce SeasonPass, aimed at season-ticket holders who want to secure a dedicated parking space for every home game.
“JustPark has been supporting eventgoers across the UK for years through our pre-book reservations marketplace,” said Jeff Shanahan, CEO of JustPark. “This deal now allows us to roll out EventPass, a product built specifically for the live event experience, at scale. At the same time, it brings a significant amount of new event parking inventory onto the platform, allowing us to support fans at more events, in more cities, across the UK.”
In addition to improving the customer experience, the Passes products are designed to open new revenue streams for venues, operators and community landowners, while also generating data insights into parking behaviour and demand to support more efficient site management.
Combining technology and on-the-ground operations
A key element of the acquisition is the integration of BigParking’s on-site event management expertise. For the first time, JustPark will combine its digital marketplace with operational delivery provided by BigParking’s subsidiary, Event Support Team. The team will continue managing event-day operations at relevant sites, maintaining a professional on-the-ground presence for venues and landowners.
JustPark’s position in the event parking market was strengthened in 2024 when it was acquired by US-based event parking technology leader ParkHub, which now also operates under the JustPark brand. The Passes platform has been developed and refined at major US sporting venues, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Rose Bowl and American Airlines Center. In the UK, JustPark’s partnerships include Co-op Live and national sporting bodies.
Supporting local communities
BigParking has worked in partnership with JustPark for several years, operating many of its sites in collaboration with local schools, churches and mosques. More than 100 community organisations across the UK currently benefit from BigParking’s event-day parking programme, generating additional income that is reinvested locally.
Sarah-Jane Evans, director at BigParking, said: “At BigParking, everything we do is built around strong local partnerships, professional event-day management and a genuine commitment to supporting the communities we work with. We’re incredibly proud of the relationships we’ve developed with venues and community organisations across the UK.
“Bringing together our operational expertise, delivered through Event Support Team, with JustPark’s technology, allows us to strengthen that model. This provides eventgoers with greater certainty when planning their visit, whilst ensuring community and venue organisations continue to benefit from well-managed, sustainable event-day income. We’re excited to continue working closely together as this next chapter begins,” Evans added.
