Mercedes Benz Stadium New Orleans Bag Policy

So, you’re heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in New Orleans, ready to catch a Saints game or a concert. You’ve got your lucky jersey on, your voice warmed up, and your ticket in hand. But there’s one thing standing between you and the fun: the bag policy—a bureaucratic buzzkill that can turn your pre-game excitement into a frantic game of Tetris in the parking lot.

What’s the Deal with the Bags?

First, let’s get this straight: this isn’t Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium—this is the New Orleans version, which somehow makes the bag rules even more confusing. The policy is strictly clear about one thing: if your bag is bigger than 4.5” x 6.5”, you’re out of luck. That’s roughly the size of a very angry chihuahua, or a stack of beignets that just won’t fit in your purse.

Yes, that’s right: you can’t bring a standard purse, a backpack, or even a suspiciously large clutch. The stadium wants you to pack like you’re going to a prison-yard visit—only the essentials, and absolutely nothing that can hold a smuggled hot dog.

The Clear Bag Craze

But wait—there’s a loophole! You can bring a clear plastic bag, no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. Think of it as a Ziploc bag’s overachieving cousin, the one who always brags about college. You can also use a small, clear clutch that’s around the size of your hand—just don’t try to sneak in a mysterious, opaque leather satchel or you’ll get the side-eye from security.

Surprising fact: this policy started in the NFL to speed up entry lines. But in New Orleans, where we love our cocktails and crawfish, it feels like a personal attack on spontaneity. I once saw a woman try to argue with a security guard that her fanny pack was “fashion, not a bag.” Spoiler: she lost, and she had to walk back to her car, defeated, holding her Mardi Gras beads and phone like a modern-day martyr.

What You Can Bring (Besides Anxiety)

You can bring a wallet—as long as it’s smaller than a standard checkbook. And ladies, you can bring a small wristlet if it’s clear or tiny enough to fit in your pocket. Pro tip: wear cargo shorts. They’re not stylish, but they’ll let you smuggle in your car keys, phone, and a snack without needing any bag at all.

Mercedes Benz Stadium Bag Policy, Atlanta: A Complete Guide - SeatGraph

Also, you can bring a medical or diaper bag if you have a legitimate need—just please don’t pretend your pet iguana is a service animal. The stadium’s bag policy is more forgiving than TSA, but they still have limits.

The Real Joke: Trying to Prepare

Here’s the punchline: you’ll see a thousand people walking toward the Superdome (yes, it’s still called that, even if the signs say Mercedes-Benz) carrying their jackets because their clear bags are too small. The line moves fast—that’s the surprising good news—but don’t test fate. Bring a clear bag, or better yet, forget the bag altogether.

Just remember: the policy isn’t there to ruin your day—it’s to keep you safe. And to make sure you don’t try to sneak in a snow globe from Bourbon Street. That I know from experience.