These Are the 10 Best Stadium-approved Bags for Everything From Game Days to Concerts (2024)

Baggallini’s clear crossbody won the crown in both our research and hands-on testing. We found it’s the ideal size for an event — large enough for a phone, wallet, snacks, and possibly even a small water bottle, but small enough that it won’t feel cumbersome, even if you spend the whole time on your feet. It’s larger and clearer than other see-through bags we’ve tried, and the plastic, strap, and zipper all feel high-quality. It is a little low on features, but the strap does adjust and there are two separate pockets to stay a little bit more organized. We also noticed that the outside plastic felt a little prone to smudging and dirt, but the balance of size and design made up for it.

The strap can be adjusted all the way from 13 to 52 inches — so you have a few different carry options — and it’s water-resistant, just in case you hit a rain delay. In addition to the main pocket, there’s also a slip-in, magnetic-closure pocket on the front where you can store your phone or anything else you want easy access to. You also get multiple different accent colors to choose from, including basic black and rainbow. While we’d love to believe you’re going to carry this bag regularly, PVC simply isn’t everyone’s style, so we appreciate that it won’t break the bank. There’s an even smaller version available if you want to really travel light, and Baggallini provides a one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

The Details: 8.5 x 9 x 2.5 inches | 6.5 ounces

We were most impressed by the quality build of this fanny pack in our testing. The plastic is sturdy without being stiff, the strap is a nice width, and the buckle has a good weight to it. The zipper is smooth and durable, and the bag has an overall luxe feel, despite being made of plastic. It’s stylish yet simple, and it’s constructed without the many fiddly accents that often inhabit this space. The strap looks chic and matches well with a variety of outfits, and can be adjusted from 22 to 38 inches to fit wearers of all sizes (we found it fit a size 10 comfortably, with room to spare). We felt the amount of space it offered was larger than we needed, but of course, this depends on what you’re carrying. There are six striped band colors to choose from, so you can make sure you’re sporting your favorite team’s shade.

The Details: 6 x 11 x 3 inches

Lululemon brings its sporty expertise to the clear bag space with this backpack, which is nice and compact for your gameday needs. There are two different zipper entry points (over the top or around the middle) so you can access your things without having to take a break from cheering. While it’s just one large pocket, the 10-liter capacity should be able to hold the essentials without getting overly cluttered. The fabric straps are also adjustable so you can figure out what’s most comfortable, and the plastic is water-resistant as well.

The Details: 8.5 x 5.5 x 12 inches

We’re delighted to report that it’s not impossible to find a bag that’s both attractive enough for everyday carry and stadium-friendly. This bag’s luxe accent stitching, comfortable and adjustable leather strap, and thick plastic all impressed us in our testing, and it still looked brand-new even after we’d finished running the bag through our tests. We’d like it even better if the strap were removable and allowed us to also carry it as a clutch, but one can’t have everything; however, you can still shorten the strap to hang it over one shoulder, or lengthen it (up to 52 inches) for use as a crossbody. There are seven different accent color and metal combinations to choose from, so you’ll be able to match your outfit and accessories appropriately.

The Details: 8 x 2 x 7.5 inches

This convenient crossbody will keep your things tucked away and your hands free for when it’s time to do the wave. It has two pockets, one large main compartment, and one smaller front space to stash your smaller items, both with zipper closures. The fabric strap is conveniently adjustable and removable, and multiple D-rings on the main bag mean you can wear it either vertically or horizontally depending on which shape best suits your carry style. You can also take the strap off entirely and use it as a pouch within larger luggage. Even better, Thread stands behind their manufacturing with a one-year warranty.

The Details: 7 x 5.2 x 2 inches

The simple sling bag conveniently leaves your hands free and stays in place while you’re jumping or dancing. Wrangler’s iteration of the style adds a stylish vegan leather strap in either black or brown that will blend in with the rest of your accessories. It’s petite enough that it won’t weigh you down, but it’s still big enough to store the essentials. There aren’t any organizational features, but the simple zipper closure opens wide enough to easily dig around for any small items that may sink to the bottom.

The Details: 8.6 x 6.1 x 2.1 inches | 9.91 ounces

Bags smaller than 4.5 by 6.5 inches don’t need to be transparent at many venues. But if you’d like to get in on the transparent trend and get a little bit more space, this hard-sided clutch adds an interesting touch to the usual stadium bags. The hard acrylic will keep your belongings encased with a kiss-lock closure. The metal chain is long enough to wear it as a crossbody, and some styles also come with a shorter, chunkier chain for shoulder carry; either way, they’re all detachable for when you want to carry it as a proper clutch. You also get a variety of tints to choose from (though be aware that some venues do not allow colored plastic), and the option to get gold or silver hardware.

The Details: 7.1 x 4.1 x 2.2 inches | 14 ounces

Technically, your bag doesn’t have to be transparent to comply with stadium rules if it’s small enough, but if you’re in the market for a new stadium-approved bag and want something bigger than your hand, you’ll want to stick to a clear style. This bag is long enough to fit a decent amount of your possessions, but it’s also sleek in style and quite minimalist. It comes with an adjustable shoulder strap and a wrist strap — both of which are detachable — so you can carry it however you prefer or use it as a pouch later. It’s just one main compartment with a single zipper, but it’s thin enough to keep things organized. You can also choose between 12 different strap colors, from black and white to neon green, lavender, and rainbow.

The Details: 7.5 x 1.5 x 10 inches | 7.8 ounces

This pick fits within the 12 x 6 x 12 guidelines but it’s pretty spacious — and if you want to make the absolute most of that space, you’ll want a bag with as few frills as possible. This bag fits the max dimensions allowed exactly, so you can squish as much stuff as you need into its corners. It also has a weatherproof zip at the top, so you don’t have to worry about your things falling out or getting damp if unfavorable weather strikes. The fabric straps have a 12-inch drop length, which should work for most builds. The brand also offers totes with a variety of team logos for the extra spirited.

The Details: 12 x 6 x 12 inches

There are dozens of nearly identical clear totes on Amazon if you’re looking for a simple budget option. But if you want to upgrade to something nicer that you can even add to your regular bag rotation, opt for this tote from Kendra Scott. The smooth white handles and gold accents give it that extra touch of chic that won’t look out of place as your summer beach bag later in the season. Just note that it doesn’t have any kind of closure at the top, so if you’re concerned about water getting in or potential security issues, this may not be the best stadium bag for you.

The Details: 12.4 x 6.4 x 8.5 inches

Frequently Asked Questions

• What style of clear bag can I bring to a sporting event?

  The bag style is much less important than it being made of a clear material. As long as the bag is fully transparent and within the size restrictions, you should be good to go. Some stadiums don’t allow backpacks, regardless of what they’re made of, so check the rules in advance.

• How big can my clear bag be?

  Check your venue’s particular restrictions to be absolutely certain. The NFL standard, which most stadiums and NCAA venues follow, is 12 x 6 x 12 inches, so we consider anything under that to be a good place to start and wouldn’t recommend going over.

• Are iridescent, tinted clear, or mesh bags stadium approved?

  This is a tricky question, since the NFL guidelines don’t specify. However, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, San Antonio’s Alamodome, and New Orleans’ Superdome explicitly ban tinted bags, so it’s likely other stadiums are fussy about bags that aren't clear as well. We wouldn’t risk it.

• What should I pack in my stadium-approved bag?

  Once again, we remind you to be aware of your particular venue’s restrictions and not to bring anything on its banned list (usually food and drink), as well as anything you wouldn’t fly with (e.g. scissors, knives). Otherwise, the sky’s the limit. We’d recommend starting with your tickets, wallet, and phone if they don’t fit in your pockets, plus any eyewear you may need, a good lip balm, and sunscreen for all that outdoor time.

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