Thousands Expected To Battle For Parking In Downtown OKC On New Year's Eve

More than 75,000 people are expected to head downtown Saturday for several New Year's Eve events.

In addition to Opening Night, the Thunder and Barons are playing. So the big question is: Where will everyone park?

The $5 event lots are located at 1 Robert S. Kerr, 100 W. Main, 2 Santa Fe Plaza and 501 W. Sheridan. That's a combined 4,370 parking spaces, so the city advises you to arrive early. Drivers must also make their way through all the construction downtown.

Louann Stager said parking at Thursday's night Thunder game against the Mavericks was frustrating.

"Yeah it was very difficult. I don't know why they careened everybody off through the Cox parking and then back through," Stager said.

"Yeah, we ran into that last year," said Megan White of Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA), "Definitely with Project 180 there has been a lot more movement and renovation in the downtown area, so I think it just makes it a little more difficult."

After Project 180 is complete, there will be an additional 500 parking spaces downtown. But since those spaces aren't available for New Year's Eve, White suggests arriving early and having cash handy. You may also visit www.Parkingokc.com to view closures and up to date construction projects.

Find out more about free parking in Bricktown on New Year's Eve