The Footprint Center Bag Policy
Your Bag vs. The Footprint Center: A Survival Guide Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or, more accurately, the bag in your hand. Before you head to the Footprint Cen...
Your Bag vs. The Footprint Center: A Survival Guide
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or, more accurately, the bag in your hand. Before you head to the Footprint Center in Phoenix, you need to know the rules. They are weirdly specific and surprisingly fun to dissect.
Size Actually Matters Here
Your bag must be small. Really small. Think 4” x 6” x 1.5”. That’s literally the size of a thick envelope or a glorified wallet on steroids.
If your bag is bigger than your phone? Forget it. You’ll be walking back to your car. It’s the most dramatic rejection since the 2000s.
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Why so strict? The answer is boring security logistics. But the drama? That’s pure entertainment.
The Clear Bag is Your Best Friend
Here’s the juicy part. You can bring a clear plastic bag. Size limit: 12” x 6” x 12”. It’s basically a grocery sack for rich people with basketball tickets.
Nobody stops you. Nobody checks your snacks. You look like you’re on a reality show. It’s the VIP experience for your granola bars.
Don’t own a clear bag? Grab a ziplock from your kitchen. Yes, seriously. That works. The bag doesn’t care about your style, only its clarity.
What You Can’t Bring: A Comedy of Errors
No weapons. Obviously. No laser pointers. No selfie sticks (your arm is fine, Karen). But here’s the winner: no vuvuzelas. Thank the sports gods.
You also cannot bring outside food or beverages. Unless it’s a sealed water bottle. Or baby formula. Or medical items. This rule is full of loopholes for sneaky parents.
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One weird exception: seat cushions. Yes, you can bring a padded butt pillow. It must have no pockets or zippers. Because pockets are apparently a national security threat.
The Diaper Bag Loophole
Parents, rejoice. You get a special pass. Diaper bags are allowed if you have a kid with you. They must be “reasonable.” What is reasonable? The bag police decide. Bring a crying baby for backup. It’s the ultimate get-out-of-jail card.
Even better: medically necessary bags are always allowed. Insulin, EpiPens, inhalers? Bring them in a clear bag. Your health trumps their rules. That’s power right there.
Pro tip: Pretend you have a condition. Just kidding. Don’t lie. But if you need a bag, say it’s medical. They will not question a sick person. It’s the humane loophole.
The Purse of Shame
Imagine this: You spend 20 minutes on a cute outfit. You bring your favorite tiny purse. You get to the door. A security guard smiles and says, “Sorry, ma’am. That’s too big.” Your purse is 5 inches long. It is a single banana’s worth of bag.
This has happened to hundreds of people. Literally. They offer you a locker. It costs $10. You pay it with tears of embarrassment. Learn from their pain.
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The moral? Measure your bag before you leave the house. Use a ruler. Use a banana for scale. Don’t be that person.
The Suns Logo Factor
Footprint Center is all about branding. You can wear Suns gear. You can carry a bag with a Suns logo. But if your bag has a giant corporate logo from a rival brand? Nope. They hate free advertising.
Fun fact: The arena is named after a printing company. So they really care about logos. Imagine showing up with a “FedEx” bag. That’s like wearing a Burger King crown to McDonald’s. Instant side-eye.
Stick to neutral colors. Black. White. Clear. Or just wear a paper bag over your head. That’s allowed, by the way. No zippers.
The Quirky Banned Items List
Here’s the part that makes you laugh. No chains. Wallet chains, necklace chains over 12 inches? Banned. Because a tiny chain could strangle a giant mascot? Who knows.
No aerosol cans. Your deodorant? Fine if it’s a stick. Your hairspray? Congratulations, you’re now a criminal. The smell would distract the players.
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And my favorite: no drones. Obviously. But the rule says “any remote-controlled flying device.” That includes a kid’s toy helicopter. Kids, leave your helicopters at home.
The Escape Plan
So, what do you do? Plan ahead like a pro. Empty your pockets. Transfer everything into a clear bag. Wear cargo pants with deep pockets (they are not checked, only inspected).
Stick a single key in your sock. Put your phone in your bra. Yes, women do this. It’s a sport. The security guards are paid to ignore it.
Finally, remember the golden rule: You are not your bag. You are here for the game. The music. The nachos. The bag is just a vessel. A very small, very clear, very scrutinized vessel.
The Last Laugh
If you follow these rules, you’ll get in under 30 seconds. You’ll walk past the line of people arguing about their purses. You’ll feel smug. Gloriously smug.
And when you see someone crying over a vuvuzela? You can laugh. Not aloud. But inside. You know the rules now. You are the bag guru. The clearance king. The tiny-purse whisperer.
Pack light. Stay clear. And go cheer for the Suns. Your bag has never been this important. Enjoy the show.
