Eastern Michigan Convocation Center Bag Policy

So, you’re heading to the Eastern Michigan Convocation Center for a basketball game or a concert. Your ticket is ready, your crew is hyped, and you’re feeling like a VIP. But then, you remember the bag policy—the tiny, scariest print on the ticket.

Don’t panic. I’m here to be your bag-size sherpa through this wilderness of rules. First, the big shocker: you can only bring in bags that are smaller than a loaf of bread. Not a sourdough boule—I’m talking a sad, single-serving sandwich roll.

Specifically, your bag must be 4" x 6" x 1.5" or smaller. That’s roughly the size of a paperback book, but thinner than your aunt’s opinion on your haircut. If your bag is bigger than that, it’s going to a cozy, unvisited home: the bag check.

What The Heck Can I Bring?

You can bring a clutch, a wristlet, or a clear plastic bag that’s no bigger than 12" x 6" x 12". Yes, like the one you use for airport security, but with more popcorn grease. Surprising fact: the Convo Center encourages clear bags because security can see your snacks without asking.

If you try to sneak in a backpack, a tote, or a purse that could hold a laptop, you’ll get the hard no. I once saw a woman pull out a folded-up gym bag from her coat—security literally applauded her creativity, then made her walk it back to the car.

Pro tip: wear cargo pants. Pockets are your friends. You can legally carry a phone, wallet, keys, and even a small snack in your pockets. Just don’t try to smuggle in a sandwich in your jacket—they will pat it down like it’s a weapon.

Eastern Michigan Athletics | George Gervin GameAbove Center

The Weird Exceptions (Get Ready)

Diaper bags and medical bags are allowed, but they must be screened by staff. So if you’re a grown adult with a “medical” diaper bag full of candy, be prepared for a very long conversation. Also, you can bring a camera, but only if its lens is shorter than your finger—no professional-looking telephoto behemoths.

What about your emotional support water bottle? You can bring a clear, sealed plastic water bottle under 1 liter. But if it’s metal, they’ll toss it faster than a bad free throw. Surprising fact: the Convo Center once confiscated a vintage lunchbox shaped like a robot. The owner cried, and now there’s a silent memorial in lost-and-found.

The Magic Solution: Leave It In The Car

Honestly, the easiest thing? Throw your stuff in the car. The lot is a five-minute walk, and you’ll save yourself the shame of digging through your bag while people behind you sigh. If you do bring a bag, make it the smallest, flattest, most transparent object you own—like a piece of cardboard with a zipper.

Remember: the rules are here to keep us safe from chaos, and also from people who want to bring an entire picnic to a concert. So pack light, laugh at the absurdity, and enjoy the show. And if you forget, just buy a $5 Convo Center clear tote at the gift shop—yes, they really sell those. It’s capitalism, baby, and it’s hilarious.