Parking for Saturday's Tigers game expected to be scarce in downtown Detroit

Jerry Seinfeld concert at Fox Theatre, Tigers game at Comerica Park expected to make parking difficult to come by Saturday in downtown Detroit

DETROIT – If you are planning to go drive downtown Saturday night for the Detroit Tigers' first playoff game against the Oakland Athletics, you may be in for a rude awakening when looking for a parking spot near Comerica Park.

With comedian Jerry Seinfeld doing a show at the Fox Theatre across Woodward Avenue less than an hour after the game's first pitch at 6:10 p.m., traffic volumes in the area are expected to be a nightmare.

To accommodate guests at the Fox, the Fox Garage, Columbia Lot, Lot T and Lot C will be held for Seinfeld show attendants only.

The primary entrance to the Fox Garage on Montcalm Street and the exit on the Interstate 75 service drive will be closed. Guests must enter the garage from the I-75 service drive and exit from the gate on Montcalm Street.

Fox Theatre guests will need to present show tickets to gain access to those lots. All parking lots will be first come, first serve and will accept cash only. All prepaid parking passes are sold out.

Parking lots open for Tigers game attendees on Saturday:

Most of the orange lots in Detroit's Foxtown area will be off limits to Tigers fans on Saturday. However, there are still plenty of other surrounding lots available. Blue lots 1 and 2 between Woodward Avenue and Witherell Street, right in front of Comerica Park, will be available to Tigers game attendees.

The St. John's Episcopal Church parking lot on Montcalm Street and the Tiger Garage off Brush and Montcalm streets also will be open to fans.

Not only will Fox and Comerica be packed Saturday night, but Second City has a show the same night in Detroit.

Hockeytown Cafe's general manager, Steve Davidson, is no stranger to gameday traffic. He says the key for drivers looking for parking spots is to get downtown early, especially with multiple events planned in the area on Saturday.

"I'd probably try to get here by noon or 1 o'clock," Davidson said. "Parking is going to be a challenge as you get closer and closer to game time. There is plenty of parking around but the later you get here the further you will have to walk."

The Tigers will play Game 2 with Oakland at 12:07 p.m. Sunday in Detroit. Game 3 is at 9:07 p.m. Tuesday in Oakland. The Tigers will send Justin Verlander to the mound in Game 1, Doug Fister in game 2 and Anibal Sanchez is expected to be starting pitcher on Tuesday.


-- Tigers fans will be allowed to park out in front of Comerica Park.