American Airlines Center Bag Policy 2018

So you’re heading to the American Airlines Center in Dallas for a concert or a Mavs game. You’re pumped, you’ve got your tickets, and you’re ready to yell at refs or scream along to a power ballad. But then you walk up to the gate, and the security guard gives you the bag—the look of pure, judgmental disappointment. That’s when you realize you forgot about the 2018 bag policy. Let’s save you from that walk of shame.

The Purse That Could Start a War

First, the big shocker: anything smaller than a toaster is basically illegal. Okay, not a toaster, but the rule is brutally simple. Your bag must be no larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches. That’s roughly the size of a small, flat puppy. If your purse looks like it could double as a briefcase for a mob boss, leave it in the car.

And forget about a backpack. The AAC hates backpacks. They’ll look at your Jansport like it’s a ticking bomb, even if it only contains granola bars and a sweater. Security will say, “Sorry, ma’am, no backpacks allowed,” and you’ll have to walk back to your car in shame. Pro tip: bring a plastic grocery bag and tell them it’s “artisanal minimalist fashion.”

The "Clear Bag" Cult

If you want to be a VIP—which is actually just a person who doesn’t get stopped—use a clear plastic bag. Yes, the weird, see-through purse that makes you look like you’re smuggling a goldfish. The AAC loves these. They’re allowed as long as they’re under 12x6x12 inches. That’s big enough for your wallet, a lipstick, and exactly zero snacks bigger than your thumb.

But here’s the funny part: walmart sells these bags for like three bucks, and they look like you’re carrying a Ziploc full of dignity. I once saw a woman bring a clutch that was technically 13.9 inches—and they measured it with a ruler. They’re not messing around. It’s like airport security for normal people, but with more angry dads in jerseys.

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What You Can Actually Bring (Surprising Facts)

Okay, so you can’t bring a backpack, but you can bring a medically necessary bag. If you have a doctor’s note for your insulin or your emotional support fanny pack, you’re golden. Just don’t try to sneak in a full Thanksgiving dinner inside a “medical cooler.” That’s a hard no.

Also surprising: you are allowed to bring a small camera (non-detachable lens, under six inches). But here’s the kicker—you can’t have a GoPro on a selfie stick. That stick is considered a weapon. And honestly, I’ve seen people whipped with a GoPro stick at a concert, so maybe they’re right.

Food and Drink? You’re Dreaming

Think you can bring a bag of chips or a water bottle from home? LOL, no. The AAC is a capitalist paradise. They want you to spend $12 on a lukewarm beer and $8 on a pretzel that tastes like regret. You can bring an empty water bottle (plastic or aluminum), but you’ll be that person filling it up at the water fountain while everyone watches you struggle.

American Airlines Baggage Policy | Checked and Carry-on Items | Travel

But wait—here’s a weird exception: sealed, unopened tampons are allowed. Yes, the bag policy has a tampon loophole. I’m not sure why, but I respect it. You can also bring a small diaper bag if you have a baby, but please don’t pretend your “service dog” is a baby. They’ll sniff that out.

The "Sunscreen and Umbrella" Madness

This will blow your mind: you cannot bring an umbrella into the American Airlines Center. Any umbrella that’s longer than a pencil? Banned. Why? Because they’re “weapons.” I guess Dallas weather can’t be trusted. Meanwhile, they’ll let you bring sunscreen, but only in a container under 3.4 ounces. Because nothing says “arena security” like worrying about micro-sized bottles of SPF 50.

And don’t even think about a selfie stick, a laser pointer, or a giant foam finger that hasn’t been officially licensed by the NBA. They’ll confiscate it and give you a look that says, “We’ve seen dumber, but not today.”

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My Final, Bleeding-Edge Advice

If you want to survive the 2018 bag policy without giving birth to a hernia of stress, do this: Empty your pockets into a small clutch. No joke—just bring your phone, credit card, and keys in a tiny bag that’s smaller than a hardcover book. Everything else? Leave in the car. Yes, even your charger. You can survive four hours without a battery pack. I promise.

And if you’re a rebel who refuses to follow rules? Prepare for the bag check booth. It’s a $10 fee to leave your bag in a cage, and it’s staffed by bored teenagers who will judge your taste in backpacks. It’s like a homeless shelter for your belongings. Don’t be that person.

So next time you go to the AAC, remember: small, clear, and empty. And if you see someone walking in with a massive tote bag full of snacks, just smile—and watch them get sent back to the parking lot. It’s a free comedy show before the main event. Now go enjoy your game, you beautiful, bag-less champ.