MGM at the National Harbor ends free parking on July 13

• Free parking set to end next week at MGM at the National Harbor as property moves away from the practice
• MGM Rewards members will still benefit from the free self-parking service in the 5,000-spot garage
• Customers have been split, with some criticizing the measure, while others shrugged it off that signing up for the rewards program should be easy enough

MGM at the National Harbor is going to break with tradition and stop offering free parking to guests and casino-goers, with the change set to come in on July 13, 2026, and be th first time the property has charged its guests for parking spaces in more than a decade.

MGM at the National Harbor ends decade-old free parking practice

"Beginning Monday, July 13, 2026, MGM National Harbor will introduce self-parking fees for non-members while continuing to offer free self-parking to all MGM Rewards members. MGM Rewards is free to join and offers benefits including complimentary parking, exclusive discounts, special offers, entertainment perks, and more," the property said in a statement.

The property has confirmed that self-parking in the garage will cost $15, with the only exception for MGM Rewards members, the property’s loyalty program. Enrollees in the program will still be entitled to free parking, and new members are welcome to enroll, benefiting from the free parking.

However, guests have pointed out that the free parking has been one of the best things about MGM at the National Harbor, and has motivated many to come, according to accounts shared by media outlets.

Some customers have suggested that they already pay for gambling and other amenities at the property, and questioned why they should be charged extra for parking.

From "we pay for drinks" to "no big deal"

Online comments also focused on the fact that drinks aren’t free, but some simply protested that signing up for the MGM Rewards program should not really hinder people who wish to benefit from free parking.

However, these casino programs are often targeted by hackers, who scoop consumer data, such as Social Security Numbers, personal and financial information, such as emails and

Among the possible reasons for tightening parking could be the fatal shootings that have occurred at the properties over the past years, and one taking place on Thursday, June 25.

That incident saw a 33-year-old by the name of Christopher Austin Jr shot and killed by 36-year-old Tyrell Hairston, identified as the alleged shooter.

Image credit: National Harbor