Bag Policy At Maverik Center

So there I was, standing in the drizzly parking lot of the Maverik Center, clutching a crossbody bag that was just a little too big. My friend Jess had the face of a woman who had endured this debate fifteen times before. “Just leave it in the car,” she sighed, already digging for her keys. I looked at the night sky, then at the sleek venue glowing like a hockey puck under the lights, and then at my stubborn little bag. “It’s fine,” I said, with the confidence of someone who had never read the fine print. Spoiler alert: it was not fine.

The security guard gave me a look that said, “You are my third ‘banana-bag’ of the night.” He pointed to a laminated sign that had a picture of a bag roughly the size of a postage stamp. My cute, oversized purse? Denied. And that, dear reader, is how I learned the first law of Maverik Center physics: your bag size matters more than your ticket.

Let’s break this down, because I learned this lesson so you don’t have to. The Maverik Center’s bag policy is basically the Goldilocks of venue rules—your bag has to be just right. According to their official stance (which I now have memorized like a birthday), the maximum dimensions for a bag you can carry in are 14” x 14” x 6”. That sounds big, right? Wrong. It’s about the size of a medium tote bag you’d use for a light grocery run. Not the giant “mom purse” that holds snacks for a small village.

Here’s the kicker: clear bags are your best friend. They practically welcome you with a velvet rope. If you show up with a clear plastic backpack or a tiny clutch (think wallet-plus-lipstick), security waves you through like a VIP. But the second you pull out something opaque and bulky? Oh, honey. You’re heading back to the parking lot or—if you’re desperate—to the “bag check” table, which costs money. Yes, they charge you to hold your own stuff. It’s like paying rent for a shoebox you can’t live in.

The exceptions that prove the rule

Now, before you panic and sew your pockets shut, take a breath. Medical and parenting needs get a pass. If you’ve got a diaper bag or a medical bag, they’ll let it through (after a thorough search, of course). I saw a dad with a diaper bag that looked like it contained a small tent. He walked in like a king. Meanwhile, my tiny clutch felt like a peasant’s offering. I whispered to Jess, “Should we pretend one of us needs a diaper?” She didn’t laugh. She knows I’m not a parent, and the truth hurts.

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And get this: seat cushions are allowed, but only if they’re plain and pocketless. So you can’t hide snacks in your butt pillow. The Maverik Center giveth, and the Maverik Center taketh away. Seriously, it’s the most specific “yes” and “no” list since my aunt’s Thanksgiving seating chart.

What NOT to bring (a cautionary list)

Alright, let’s get practical. You are not allowed to bring in laptops, tablets, selfie sticks, or professional cameras with detachable lenses. Why? Because nobody wants your 4K footage of a hockey fight ending up on YouTube before the Zamboni finishes its lap. Also, no weapons—obviously—but also no aerosol cans, no laser pointers, and no “noisemakers” (bye-bye, vuvuzela dreams). And please, leave your “outside food and beverages” in the car. The concession stand needs your $11.50 for a hot dog to keep the lights on.

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But here’s the irony: you can bring a small, soft-sided cooler for medical or infant needs. So if you’ve got baby formula, you’re golden. If you’ve got a secret cheese board? You’ll be eating it sadly in the parking lot. Ask me how I know. (I’m not proud of my cheese smuggling attempts.)

How to win the bag game

If you want to breeze through the doors like an Olympic athlete, here’s my hard-won advice. First: minimize everything. Get a clear tote bag (amazon sells them for $8) and only bring your phone, wallet, keys, and a lippie. Second: wear clothes with pockets. I’m talking cargo pants energy. You can fit a whole burrito in some of those pockets. Finally, arrive early. If you get to the gate 10 minutes before showtime and realize your bag is banned, you’re not enjoying the opener. You’re sprinting back to the car, fumbling for keys, sweating under the neon sign that says “MAVERIK.” Not a good look.

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I now keep a “go bag” in my trunk specifically for the Maverik Center: a clear plastic pouch with my ID, a credit card, and a kind heart. That’s all you need, folks. The rest is just stuff waiting to be turned into a $10 ransom at the bag check table.

So next time you’re heading to a concert, a hockey game, or the monster truck rally at the Maverik Center, commit the policy to memory. Or, just do what I do now: walk in empty-handed, high-five the security guard, and buy the overpriced beer inside. Your back will thank you, and your wallet? Well, let’s not talk about the wallet. That’s a story for another article.