Mshsl State Football Bag Policy

So you’ve scored tickets to the MSHSL State Football championship at U.S. Bank Stadium. You’re pumped. You’ve got your lucky jersey, your foam finger, and a ridiculous amount of snacks hidden in a backpack that could double as a carry-on for a transatlantic flight. Stop right there. That backpack is about to become your worst enemy.

The Minnesota State High School League, bless their organized hearts, has a bag policy that is more specific than a goldfish’s diet plan. They are not messing around. If you show up with a bag that’s too big, you might as well be carrying a live badger—it’s not getting in.

The Golden Rule: Size Matters (A Lot)

First, the hard truth: No bag larger than 4.5” x 6.5” is allowed. That’s about the size of a paperback novel or a well-fed hamster. Yes, you read that right. Your gym bag, your laptop bag, your “it’s just a small duffel” bag—all banished to the car or a mysterious locker you’ll never find again.

I measured my wallet once. It’s literally bigger than that. My phone in a case is pushing the limit. The policy is so strict, you could argue that a surprisingly large granola bar is a security threat. It’s not, but it feels that way.

The Approved “Bags” (Use Your Imagination)

So what can you bring? The list is short and sassy: clear plastic bags (like the ones for makeup or airport liquids) that are smaller than 12” x 12” x 6”. Or a small clutch—which is basically a purse that apologizes for existing. That’s it. No fanny packs that can hold a water bottle. No “cool messenger bags.” Just clear plastic or a clutch the size of a hamster’s coffin.

Policy Png

Here’s the funny part: they do allow diaper bags and medical bags, but those get a special inspection. So if you bring a diaper bag and your kid is 14, expect some raised eyebrows. You can also bring a sealed bottle of water. One bottle. Per person. If you bring two, security will assume you’re a hydro-terrorist.

The Surprising Facts That Will Make You Laugh

Did you know that U.S. Bank Stadium has no re-entry? That means once you’re in, you’re in. So if you forget you brought a contraband backpack, you either throw it in the trash or miss the game. The trash cans outside fill up faster than a teenager’s phone battery. It’s a sad sight—a mountain of abandoned backpacks, looking like a memorial for lost snacks.

Also, the policy was basically written because of security theater. The NFL and MSHSL share the same venue rules, so high school football games now have the same bag restrictions as a Super Bowl. Your kid’s 2-6 season? Same security as the Kansas City Chiefs. You can almost hear the state championship trophy whispering, “Clear bags only, peasant.”

SoFi Stadium Bag Policy: Permitted and Prohibited Items List - SeatGraph

How to Survive (and Thrive) Like a Bag-Less Champion

My advice: dress like a kangaroo. Wear a jacket with deep pockets. Cargo pants are your new best friend. You can shove a wallet, phone, granola bar, and a small flag in those pockets. Do not bring a purse. Do not bring a fanny pack. You will be that person holding up the line while you unzip everything, and the people behind you will silently curse your ancestors.

Alternatively, go full minimalist. Phone. Keys. Wallet. That’s it. You don’t need a backup charger. You don’t need a book. You’re there to yell at a 16-year-old quarterback from a town you’ve never visited. Embrace the chaos.

New Grizzly Football Stadium Bag Policy is Pretty Clear

The Final “You’ve Been Warned” Paragraph

Remember: no backpacks, no large purses, no cool bags. If you bring a clear plastic bag, make sure it’s actually clear. I saw a guy with a “clear” bag that had a dark print on it, and security sent him back to his car like a disappointed dad. He missed the first quarter. His wife was not happy.

So pack light, pack smart, and leave the emotional support backpack at home. The MSHSL State Football game is about spirit, touchdowns, and a surprisingly draconian bag policy. Now go, enjoy the game, and remember: your pockets are your only true friends. Unless you have a clutch. Then you’re fancy.

Go team. Go empty-handed. Go home happy.