Citi Field bag policy

Citi Field Bag Policy 2024 | Crosscheck Your Bag Before Entering The Park

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Baseball ballparks around the USA impose bag policies to ensure the security of the ballparks. Citi Field, the home ground of the New York Mets, isn’t an exception. They also have a precise bag policy for their ground. 

So, what is the Citi Field Bag policy? The New York Mets bag policy is straight with some precise rules. You can’t enter the ballpark with a bag exceeding the size 16” x 16” x 8”. 

But is it the only rule? No, there are a lot of things you have to understand for the Citi Field bag policy. In this guide, I will discuss the Mets bag policy in detail. I will also help you to find other prohibited items list and the place where you can store your prohibited-sized bags. 

So, without further ado, let’s clarify everything about the New York Mets bag policy. 

See Also: Busch Stadium Bag Policy

Citi Field Bag Policy: Everything Explained

As mentioned before, baseball ballparks mainly impose bag policies due to security reasons. After first opening on 3rd April 2009, the Citi Field started its bag policy.

The ballparks can accommodate 41,922 visitors at a time. So, if the strict bag policy isn’t maintained, you may encounter any security issues from any of this huge crowd. 

By the way, if you are a first-timer or traveler, you must know the Citi Field backpack policy to avoid any unwanted hassles. Here is the New York Mets bag policy I have listed for your convenience. 

Prohibited Bag List

Backpacks are prohibited

Before knowing the allowed bag list, first, let’s learn the policy of prohibited lists of bags in the Citi Field. 

Here’s the main policy according to the official statement of New York Mets Citi Field-

“Backpacks are now prohibited inside Citi Field, except as provided herein. Prohibiting backpacks allows us to enhance security and expedite the security screening process entering Citi Field.”

So, you can’t bear any backpack while entering the Citi Field. 

  • All backpacks are prohibited. There is no consideration regarding the size or style of the bag. But, if your backpack is transparent, and there is no obscured interior pocket, you can carry it while entering the park.
  • You can’t carry any bag that is sized more than 16” x 16” x 8”. No matter whether the bag is transparent or not. 

See Also: Kauffman Stadium Bag Policy

Bags That Are Allowed

Tote, purses, transparent backpack, messenger-style bags, etc., are allowed

Now you know which types of bags are prohibited in the Citi Field. So, which types of bags can you keep with you when entering the Citi Field? 

You can carry the following bags with you when entering the Citi Field of the New York Mets. 

  • All purses
  • Diaper, but must not be backpack-style
  • Drawstring and messenger-style bags. They can be with soft-sided coolers. 

But you have to remember that all bags must be in between the size of 16” x 16” x 8”.

So, from the list above, we can assume that you can’t carry any type of wheeled bag, briefcase, or any other larger bag exceeding the particularly mentioned size. 

Read More: 7 MLB Stadiums With Retractable Roofs |A New Era of Ballpark Design

Exceptions of the Bag Policy

Everything has its alternatives and exceptions, and the Citi Field isn’t an exception. In some cases, you may have an emergency situation created, and for that, you will get opportunities to keep bags with you. 

Let’s see what special situations allow your bags to be exempt from the Citi Field bag policy. 

  1. You Can Keep the Bag With You For Medical Reasons, Except to The New York Mets bag policy

If you have medical issues, nursing purposes, or have ADENOSINE DEAMINASE (ADA) DEFICIENCY, you can carry a backpack exception to the bag policy made.

You can carry medical equipment in those bags even if they exceed the size of the approved bags if it is not possible to carry them in the approved bags. 

But for this, you have to get permission from the Security Supervisor assigned at the entry gate you are approaching. He will give you special permission to take the inside after proper checking. 

He will also give you the required credentials if needed to carry the bag in the field. But you have to see the Security Supervisor prior to each game you want to attend. 

  1. You Can Carry The Newly Purchased Bag From Citi Field Outlets Inside the Field
You can carry newly purchased bags with Citi Field credential

If you purchase a backpack during the game day from the Citi Field Outlets as a gift with the New York Mets design, you can use it inside the field. But the Security Supervisor will give you a credential attached to the bag. 

So, you can use the bag only for the particular game you are on-site for. You can’t use the bag for any future game since the credential expires in 24 hours. 

If you want to carry such a newly purchased backpack again, you have to purchase another one on the same day. 

  1. You Can Bring a Special Water Bottle or Juice Box

An exception to the bag policy, you can bring a water bottle that is factory-sealed and not more than 20 ounces. The bottle must be soft and made of plastic. 

Like this, you can also bring a child juice box, which must be sealed and soft. By the way, both the water bottle and the juice box can’t be frozen. 

Where Can You Keep Your Prohibited Bags?

Ultimately, if you fail to follow the bag policy rule, or even if you are not considered an exception to the rule, then what to do? It might be that you are traveling to Citi Field without knowing the latest policy and just have seen this guide. 

In a situation like this, you have several options to keep your bags, luggage, backpack, suitcase, etc., in a safe place. Here’s how. 

Locker

Though the Citi Field has no checking facility inside the field, you can take the locker facility outside the field. The Park authority provides an on-site locker facility prior to two hours of the game. 

Though Citi Field authority ensures the on-site locker facility, the facility is operated by a third-party company. You have to pay a particular fee to keep your bags in the lockers. 

Hotel

If you are not comfortable with lockers, you can rent a hotel room to keep your bags or other accessories safe. There are several hotels near the Citi Field. Here are some of the nearest ones for your convenience. 

  1. Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport
    • Location: 13342 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354-4515
    • Distance: 0.80 miles 
  2. Fairfield Inn New York LaGuardia Airport / Flushing
    • Location: 2866 College Point Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354-2512
    • Distance: 1.1 miles
  3. Asiatic Hotel
    • Location: 135-21 37th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354-4119
    • Distance: 0.86 miles
  4. Marco LaGuardia Hotel & Suites
    • Location: 13707 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354-4116
    • Distance: 1.0 miles
  5. SpringHill Suites by Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport
    • Location: 112-15 Northern Boulevard, Corona, NY 11368
    • Distance: 0.57 miles

Though hotels are an option, it might not be a great option in terms of cost and reliability of immediate moving. By the way, if you have no options in hand, you can go for this. 

Other Security Policies of Citi Field

Aside from the Citi Field bag policy, there are other security policies as well. As an ideal visitor and fan of baseball, you also should keep these policies in mind to make your journey to the New York Mets’ Citi field hassle-free and enjoyable. 

  1. You can’t drink alcoholic beverages around the park and in the parking lot. This is a punishable act, and security forces will arrest you if you do so. 
  2. There are several tools and things you can’t carry inside the field. They include-
    1. Glass bottles
    2. Metal cans and containers
    3. Hard-sided coolers
  3. You can’t even bring any type of alcoholic beverage.
  4. Any illegal substance that is restricted by law is also prohibited from being brought into the Citi Field.
  5. You can’t also bring-
    1. Commercial audio
    2. Visual equipment
    3. Noise Making devices
    4. Laser pointer
    5. Weapon (any kind)
    6. Fireworks
    7. Animals, except for the service
  6. Disorderly, drunk, and intoxicated fans can’t enter the field
  7. You can’t interfere with the game by throwing any object onto the field. Law enforcement forces will eject you in the first step. They can also arrest you as well.
  8. Using any abusive words is prohibited. If you use such types of words, you will be arrested.
  9. You can’t also wear any clothes that are verbally provoking and inflammable. This is a subject to be ejected.
  10. You can’t bring drones in the field or in the parking lots. 
  11. Aside from the above-mentioned rules, Citi Field authority reserves the right to determine any additional rules immediately based on the situation. 

People Also Ask

Here are some additional queries people also ask about the Citi Field bag policy. 

1. Why the restriction isn’t as strict for other bags as backpacks?

This is because searching for backpacks is time-consuming since they have several compartments. It also eases the identification process of what bags to check. 

As per the Citi Field authority, this restriction makes the process faster for them to finish up the checking. 

2. Can you bring your electronic devices?

Yes, you can bring your laptop, tablet, smartphone, and other daily-driving electronics into the field. You can also bring them in the permitted-sized bags, which don’t exceed 16” x 16” x 8”. 

The Bottom Line

The Citi Field bag policy is implemented to ensure the security of the field, players, and its visitors. 

Many people think the New York Mets bag policy may slow down the entry of visitors. But it actually increases the entry pace of visitors. Because it easily clarifies the visual entities and makes sure no one brings any prohibited bags. 

We should follow the rules to help the authorities make the entry process easy.