Concertgoers at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park will face parking fees for the first time since the venue’s opening in 1990.
The move sparked concern from customers who said the parking lot needs improvements, venue prices have increased in recent years and additional fees may hurt the popularity of the amphitheater, known as one of the more affordable venues in the area.
But the owner, Live Nation, said investments in the next year that will make the parking fees worthwhile.
The parking pass, sold separately from tickets, will be required to use venue parking during concerts and other ticketed events starting Jan. 1, according to a Live Nation statement. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on the day of the event, according to the venue’s website. The amphitheater is located at 19100 S. Ridgeland Ave.
General parking will cost $20 per vehicle if customers pay online in advance or $25 per vehicle if paid on the event date. Parking spots can be reserved and upgraded on Ticketmaster.
Premier parking spots, closer to the venue, cost $50 online. Reserved, oversized and limo parking spots cost $90. Parking spots labeled as easy out, which provide an easy entry and exit according to the website, cost $120.
“We look forward to welcoming fans for the 2026 summer concert season and showing them the major investments we are making in the venue experience,” a spokesperson said Tuesday in a written statement.
The parking pass announcement sparked a buzz of grievances on social media, with more than 1,000 people making complaints on the amphitheater’s social media account.
More than 50 people specifically complained about paying for an unpaved gravel lot they alleged is unsafe, needs improvements and can be time-consuming to enter and exit.
People also expressed concern about the availability of accessible parking, as the parking lots closer to the venue require extra payment.
Several people said they would rather walk to the venue than pay for parking, but were concerned about their safety with the lack of sidewalks and its location near Interstate 80.
Hannah Messenger, a Rockford resident, said the amphitheater has been her go-to venue her whole life, but the parking charges and other recent issues may change that.
Messenger said the parking and walk to the venue is not very accessible. The lack of cement or blacktop in the parking lot makes it messy, unsafe and difficult to drive on in inclement weather, she said, citing her experience at the Korn concert in September 2024.
She said she arrived with plenty of time, but was stuck in line and, after an hour, told to turn around and park about a mile away because the main lot was full. She said the trek from that parking lot was muddy and she and others slipped several times.
This muddy walk was especially a safety concern, she said, because her father had major surgery on his ankle a few months earlier, making him susceptible to falls and injuries. By the end of the walk, she said they missed the two concert openers.
“We were all exhausted and pretty upset with the circumstances,” Messenger said. “If there is a mandatory parking fee, I would hope for a legitimate parking lot with ease of access.”
She said the new fee will influence her decision on what venue to attend for concerts and said she would be more inclined to pay for parking if she knew it was well-structured.
Chad Eric, of Peru, Illinois, said the increased costs might hurt the venue, as he said its advantage is its affordability. He said if costs continue to increase, he might elect to see shows at larger venues in Chicago.
The amphitheater, Eric said, was his date spot with his wife for the last five years. He said they purchased “lawnie passes,” which offered access to all the shows for the season at a flat rate of about $240. He said he would use this pass and typically see at least 20 shows in a season, but after Live Action discontinued the pass in February, he only went to six concerts.
He said the venue offered a deal for $30 shows, but other shows were at least $100. He also said food and drink prices increased in recent years and last year he bought a margarita for $32. Customers were also barred from bringing lawn chairs in recent years, he said, and must now rent them.
“That lawnie pass was good for regular blue collar workers that, you know, we don’t make a huge amount of money, but a decent amount and don’t want to spend $100 a weekend to go see someone,” Eric said. “I’m only going to do that a couple times a year.”
Eric said he saw noticeably lower attendance last year, and he and his wife were relocated to seats instead of lawn tickets in one instance because venue staff said they couldn’t fill the seat tickets. He said vendors complained about lower sales due to lower attendance.
A spokesperson said Tuesday the amphitheater is working on upgrades and said accessible parking will continue to be available for guests with a valid state-issued placard or license plate, and team members will be onsite to assist with any access needs.
The spokesperson said on-site spending, such as the parking charges, fund operations including building maintenance, lawn upgrades, security and employee wages.
“We’re always looking for ways to give people more opportunities to see the artists they love and will continue introducing new programs,” the spokesperson said.
The venue has boasted performances by The Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Whitney Houston, Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan and Cher. It can hold up to 28,000 spectators with 11,000 reserved seats and up to 17,000 people on the lawn.
The amphitheater has been called the New World Music Theatre, Tweeter Center and the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. Its name was most recently changed in 2023 from the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in 2023, when Credit Union 1 became a major sponsor.
The venue is scheduled to kick off its 2026 season July 8 with Evanescence. The 2026 lineup also includes Train, Guns N’ Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Mötley Crüe and Iron Maiden.
