Cubs Spring Training Bag Policy

So, you’re heading to Cubs spring training in Mesa, Arizona. You’ve got your sunblock, your ridiculous new rally cap, and a burning desire to see if that rookie pitcher can actually throw a strike. But before you can soak in that sweet, sweet desert sun, you have to face the spring training bag policy. Yes, it’s a thing, and yes, it’s more confusing than trying to explain the infield fly rule to your non-baseball friends.

Let’s start with the good news: you are allowed to bring a bag. But—and this is a big, dramatic “but” that sounds like a movie trailer narrator—the bag has to be tiny. We’re talking specifically about bags that are 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches or smaller. That’s roughly the size of a very smug Chihuahua. If your bag is bigger than that, you will be turned away at the gate, and you’ll have to explain to your in-laws why you’re standing in the Arizona heat holding a cooler full of tears and regret.

The Backpack Ban (And Why It's Personal)

Here’s the kicker: backpacks are totally banned—even if they fit the size limit. Why? I have no idea. Maybe the Cubs front office had a traumatic childhood experience with a backpack. Maybe a rogue backpack once stole a base and never gave it back. Whatever the reason, you cannot bring your trusty JanSport. You know the one—the bag that holds your dreams, sunscreen, and half a bag of trail mix from 2019.

Surprising fact: This ban applies to all spring training games at Sloan Park, not just Cubs games. It’s like the stadium unionized against bags. The only exceptions are clear bags (like you’d see at a concert) or a small clutch purse that’s roughly the size of a baseball. If you show up with a fanny pack that looks tactical, you will get a very disappointed stare from a security guard who has seen too much.

What You Can Actually Bring (Without Getting Ejected)

Thankfully, the Cubs do allow diaper bags, but only if you’re with an actual child. Sorry, grown-ups: you cannot pretend your emotional support stuffed bear is a toddler. You also can bring a soft-sided cooler that fits the size limit, but you cannot bring any outside alcohol, glass bottles, or—I’m not kidding—laser pointers. Apparently, people have tried to disrupt pitchers with tiny red dots. That’s not baseball, that’s a feline heist.

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And here’s your wild fact of the day: you are allowed to bring your own food. Yes, you can smuggle in an entire sub sandwich. Just don’t wrap it in a backpack, or you’ll look like a sandwich smuggler with a parole violation. The bag policy is not about food; it’s about control. The Cubs want you to feel free to eat, but not free to carry that lunch in anything larger than a clown’s pocket.

The "Please Just Use Your Pockets" Strategy

My advice? Embrace your inner kangaroo. Wear cargo shorts with pockets that can hold a small planet. I’m talking about pockets deep enough to store a water bottle, a granola bar, your car keys, and a signed baseball you’re hoping to catch. You can also bring a drawstring bag—yes, those things you got for free at a college orientation—as long as it’s clear or fits the size limit. But not a backpack. I repeat: not a backpack. Do you think I’m joking? I’m not. The security team will ask you to take the backpack back to your car, which in Arizona is like walking through the surface of the sun for a bag check.

Chicago Cubs start 10th spring training season at Mesa's Sloan Park

Another surprising fact: The policy changes slightly for special events like the spring training opener or rivalry games. On those days, even the drawstring bag might get side-eye. The best move is to check the official Cubs Spring Training website the morning of the game. Yes, it’s a pain, but so is watching a game while clutching a fanny pack that’s cutting off circulation to your spleen.

The Real Reason Behind the Madness

You might think this is just another way for the Cubs to sell you overpriced water ($8 for a Dasani? In this economy?). But the truth is security. After a few incidents at big-league parks nationwide, spring training tightened up. The good news? You can still bring a small chair cushion, a camera (not a pro lens, you’re not shooting the World Series), and a sunflower seed bucket—as long as it fits the bag rule. The bad news? You cannot bring your emotional support backpack. I’m sorry. You’ll just have to carry your hopes and dreams in your hands like everyone else.

Cubs Generic 2025 Spring Training Photo Equipment Bags | Marquee Sports

So here’s your game plan: Dress for pockets. Wear the cargo shorts that look like they belong on a safari guide from 1998. Pack a clear bag that screams “I’m following the rules, please don’t yell at me.” And most importantly, leave the backpack at home. The memory of that backpack will fade, but the memory of watching a Cubs spring training game in the Arizona sun? That lasts forever—especially if you remembered sunscreen. And if you forget sunscreen, just use the bag policy as an excuse to cry. No one will blame you.

Final surprising fact: There’s no official ban on bringing a goat to the game. But that’s probably because nobody has tried it. Yet. If you do, please film it. For science. And for the love of all that is holy, do not put that goat in a backpack.