Memorial Coliseum Lexington Ky Bag Policy

You know that feeling when you’re rushing out the door, already ten minutes late, and you grab your favorite tote bag? The one that’s practically a portable filing cabinet—laptop, phone charger, a rogue granola bar, and maybe a pair of socks? Well, if you’re heading to a concert or a Wildcats game at Memorial Coliseum in Lexington, you might want to swap that bag for something much smaller.

Here’s the deal: the venue has a clear bag policy. Think of it as the bouncer at a cool club, but for your purse. No big backpacks, no oversized totes, and definitely no mystery duffel bags.

Why should you care? Let me paint a picture.

Picture this: it’s a chilly November night, you’re finally going to see your favorite band, and you’ve got a cute crossbody bag. You walk up to the gate, smile, and the security guard says, “Sorry, ma’am, that’s too big.” Now you’re trapped in a pop-up line, shivering, while your friends text, “We’re inside! Where’s the merch?” Don’t be that person.

The policy is simple: bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC, and no larger than 12” x 6” x 12”. That’s about the size of a standard gallon Ziploc bag. Or, you know, the bag you’d use to smuggle snacks into a movie theater—but please, leave the popcorn at home.

What about your everyday purse?

Small clutches (roughly 4.5” x 6.5”) are allowed, but don’t push it. I once saw a woman argue for ten minutes about a “tiny” bag that was clearly the size of a small loaf of bread. Spoiler: she lost. Security doesn’t negotiate. They’re just trying to keep everyone safe, not ruin your Instagram story.

I get it—you love your big leather bag. It’s like a security blanket for adults. But trust me, after one trip to the Coliseum with a clear bag, you’ll feel like a VIP. You breeze through the line while everyone else is digging through their backpack like a raccoon in a trash can.

Memorial Coliseum – Stadium51

Here’s what you can actually bring.

Your phone, wallet, keys, and a small makeup bag (if it fits inside the clear bag). Also, you can bring an empty water bottle—there are fill stations inside. And pro tip: wear a jacket with pockets. I stuff my phone and cash in my coat, and my clear bag holds just my lip gloss and a portable charger. It’s like a magic trick.

If you forget your clear bag? No worries. They sell them at the box office for a few bucks. But why pay extra when you can grab one from the kitchen drawer? (Fun fact: I’ve used a clear, reusable produce bag from the grocery store. It worked great. I’m a hero.)

The real reason this matters.

Because nobody wants to miss the opening act because of a bag. Or worse, get turned away after parking, walking in the rain, and paying for a hot dog you never got to eat. Check the bag policy before you go—it’s on the Memorial Coliseum website, buried somewhere between “parking” and “ADA accessibility.”

So next time you’re heading to a game or a concert, remember: think small, think clear, think “Ziploc chic.” You’ll save yourself a headache, look like a seasoned pro, and get inside in time to hear the national anthem or the first guitar riff. And hey, isn’t that why you’re there in the first place?