Metlife Stadium Bag Policy 2017

Picture this: you’ve scored tickets to see your favorite band at MetLife Stadium. You’re pumped, you’ve got your lucky jersey on, and you’re ready to rock. But then you get to the gate, and a security guard looks at your messenger bag like it’s a live raccoon. Welcome to the 2017 MetLife Stadium bag policy—a saga of confusion, pocket-patting, and surprisingly small zippers.

The Great Purse Purge of 2017

In 2017, MetLife Stadium decided they’d had enough of bags that could carry a small picnic, a laptop, and a grudge. So they dropped the hammer: no bags larger than 4.5" x 6.5". That’s basically the size of a fat wallet or a very depressed sandwich. Anything bigger was banished to your car or, if you were lucky, to a mythical “bag check” that required a mortgage payment in cash.

Why the crackdown? Officially, it was for “enhanced security.” Unofficially, I think it was to stop people from sneaking in inflatable unicorn costumes. Surprising fact: the rule was inspired by the NFL’s league-wide “Clear Bag Policy,” which debuted in 2013 but took a few years to fully terrify fans. MetLife’s 2017 version was like that policy’s angrier cousin who really hates fanny packs.

What You Could (And Couldn’t) Bring

Let’s break this down like a quarterback’s playbook—minus the confusing hand signals. Allowed: clear plastic bags no bigger than 12" x 6" x 12". Think of those freebie bags from a conference where you stole all the pens. Also okay: a small clutch purse (the size of your palm) and, oddly enough, diaper bags for families. But only if you could prove you had a baby—no renting toddlers from the parking lot.

Banned: everything else. Backpacks, tote bags, camera cases, drawstring bags, and that souvenir bag you bought at the last game (rude). Also banned: coolers, briefcases, and laptop bags. Basically, if it looked like you were moving into the stadium, you were turned away. One guy tried to bring in a duffel bag filled with hope and beef jerky. The guard just laughed.

Metlife Stadium Bag Policy: What’s Allowed Inside The Venue

The Chaos: A Comedy of Errors

The first few games of 2017 were a festival of forgotten bags. Fans showed up with purses the size of small dogs and had to sprint back to their cars, dodging tailgate parties and aggressive seagulls. I saw a woman try to stuff her entire handbag into a clear plastic bag, like a magician packing for a sad show. It did not fit. She ended up wearing her lipstick on her forehead.

Then there were the pros: the ones who brought clear plastic backpacks that looked like they were going to a fishbowl convention. They strutted past security with their phone, keys, and a single granola bar, smug as cats who’d stolen a sunbeam. Meanwhile, the rest of us were patting our pockets, wondering if we could fit a wallet in our socks. Pro tip from the 2017 veterans: cargo shorts were suddenly very, very popular.

Metlife Stadium Bag Policy: What Is Allowed At The Gate?

The Silver Lining (Yes, There Is One)

Here’s the surprising twist: the bag policy actually made entry faster. Instead of waiting in a 45-minute line while security rummaged through someone’s bag of rocks, you walked through like a VIP. Average wait time dropped by 30% according to stadium reports. So while you mourned your tote bag, you got to your seat sooner to watch the kickoff—or at least get overpriced nachos.

Another fun fact: the policy didn’t apply to medical bags or diaper bags. So, if you had a doctor’s note for your emotional support backpack, you were golden. A few fans tried to claim their fanny packs were “medical devices for carrying mints.” The guards were not amused. But we salute your creativity.

MetLife Stadium Bag Policy 2025: Everything You Need To Know

How to Survive (And Thrive) Under the Rule

If you’re planning to visit MetLife in 2017 (or any year since, because the policy stuck), here’s your battle plan. First, ditch the bag. Seriously, just embrace the freedom of empty pockets. Wear pants with zippered pockets—or, if you’re feeling European, a money belt. Your phone, ID, and credit card will survive a few hours without a couture bag.

Second, if you must bring stuff, buy a clear plastic bag online or at the stadium store. They cost like $5 and make you look like you’re going to a very strict beach. Stack it flat with essentials: a single water bottle (sealed, of course), a phone charger, and maybe a backup snack that won’t melt. Do not bring a jar of pickles. I’ve seen it tried. It didn’t end well.

Final Words of Wisdom

The 2017 bag policy at MetLife Stadium was a culture shock, like suddenly being told you can only wear one shoe. But look on the bright side: you’ll never again lose your keys in a giant purse during the fourth quarter. And hey, the stadium didn’t ban you—just your backpack. So go, enjoy the game, and remember: the real bag was the friends you made while frantically searching for your car after the show. Oh, and don’t forget to leave the beef jerky in the trunk. That stuff is contraband now.