(August 3, 2022) LONDON — Enterprising United Kingdom homeowners pocketed a whopping total of £1.6 million ($1.95 million) by renting out their driveways to football fans looking for somewhere to park over the course of last season. That’s according to the online parking portal, Your Parking Space, who has analyzed its booking data to reveal the staggering amount of money residents who live close to each of the 20 Premier League football stadiums made throughout the 2021/2022 season.

And while Manchester United may be struggling for success on the pitch, homeowners who live close to ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, Old Trafford, are having no such problems, as their driveways generated a mighty £235,663 last season, claiming top spot of YourParkingSpace’s parking league table.

Meanwhile, residents who live close to Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge, Liverpool’s Anfield and Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium were also quids in, as they profited £191,785, £184,128 and £173,144, respectively, all securing ‘Champions League’ spots.

Reigning Premier League champions, Manchester City, came fifth in the parking league table, with fans at the Etihad Stadium spending over £100,000 on local rented driveways.

And even though ‘The Cottagers,’ Fulham, have only just returned to the Premier League, those who live near the historic Craven Cottage registered a respectable seventh place finish last season, as West London resident’s driveways brought in an impressive £97,326.

Harrison Woods, CEO at YourParkingSpace, commented: “As always, millions of football fans will be visiting the nation’s football stadiums this coming season, many traveling by car. This makes empty driveways near football stadiums a goldmine for homeowners to make an additional income, especially as the cost of living crisis deepens.”

However, it’s not just homeowners who are financially benefiting from the driveway rental boom, as football fans have often found that parking on rented driveways is more cost-effective, in comparison to official stadium parking options.

For example, to park at Brighton and Hove Albions’ American Express Community Stadium official car parks costs £15 — enough to make fans of ‘The Seagulls’ squawk. However, via YourParkingSpace.co.uk fans could pay as little as £5 — representing a saving of 66 per cent.

Harrison concluded: “Unfortunately, parking at Premier League football grounds often comes at a premier price. However, our data reveals that many shrewd supporters have shown expensive parking fees the red card by parking on rented driveways.

“What’s more, driveway locations are also often ideally located away from car parks, meaning fans can avoid the full-time traffic rush — perfect for the times your team is on the wrong end of a drubbing!”