Rice-Eccles Stadium allows bags 12" x 12" x 6" (clear bags); 6.5" x 4.5" (clutches) or smaller. Backpacks are not allowed. Clear bags are required.
What Is the Rice-Eccles Stadium Bag Policy?
Rice-Eccles Stadium enforces a mandatory clear bag policy for all Utah Utes football games and athletic events. Every fan must carry a clear bag no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″, or an alternative one-gallon plastic storage bag such as a Ziploc-style resealable bag.
The University of Utah adopted the clear bag policy to enhance public safety and make stadium access more efficient. The policy supports faster security screening for all fans entering the venue and applies to every gate around the stadium.
Fans are limited to one clear bag per person. In addition to the clear bag, each ticketed guest may carry one small clutch purse no larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″ for privacy. These are the only two bag options permitted for standard entry.
The policy is in effect for all Utah Athletics home events at Rice-Eccles Stadium, including football, and is enforced starting at the outer security perimeter, not just inside the gates. Arrive prepared; prohibited bags will be turned away at the entrance and must be returned to a vehicle.
Approved Bags at Rice-Eccles Stadium
There are two approved bag types for general fans. The first is a clear plastic bag with maximum dimensions of 12″ x 12″ x 6″. The bag may be a commercially made clear stadium tote or a simple one-gallon Ziploc-style resealable bag, either format is acceptable as long as it does not exceed the size limit. Utah-branded clear bags are available for purchase at URedZone.com and at Red Zone Store locations on the stadium concourse.
The second approved option is a small clutch or wallet no larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″. This small clutch may be opaque and is intended to carry personal items such as IDs, cards, keys, and a phone. Each fan may carry one clear bag plus one small clutch simultaneously.
Diaper bags are permitted as a special exception but are subject to search by security staff. The infant or child for whom the diaper bag is being carried must be present at the time of the bag inspection. Bags for medical supplies and medically necessary equipment are also permitted and will be inspected by security before entry.
Blankets and jackets are allowed into the stadium as long as they are carried over a shoulder or arm rather than packed inside a bag. Any folded item must be opened and inspected by security staff before entry is granted.
Prohibited Bags and Items
The following bags are prohibited and will not be permitted entry at any gate: backpacks, standard purses, fanny packs, draw-string bags, luggage, duffle bags, camera bags, binocular cases, seat cushion bags, and any bag that is not clear plastic or that exceeds the approved size limits. Opaque bags of any size, other than the approved small clutch, are not allowed.
Outside food and drink are not permitted inside Rice-Eccles Stadium with the exception of one factory-sealed water bottle per person of one liter or less. Frozen water bottles are not allowed. Empty personal water bottles of one liter or less are permitted and may be refilled at water stations located on the concourses throughout the stadium.
Strollers are not permitted inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. Fans arriving with strollers must use the bag storage area to check them before entering. Camera and binocular cases cannot be brought inside, though the cameras and binoculars themselves, carried without a bag or case, are permitted. Seat cushions are allowed only if they are 18″ in width or less and have no pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers.
All concessions inside Rice-Eccles Stadium are cashless. Fans should plan to pay with a credit card or mobile payment app. No cash is accepted at any concession stand or point of sale inside the venue.
Bag Check and Storage Options
Rice-Eccles Stadium provides a limited bag storage area on game days. Strollers must be stored here, and fans who arrive with prohibited bags and do not have access to a vehicle may use this option. The storage location is separate from the main gate entry points.
Fans who arrive with a prohibited bag and have a vehicle parked nearby are expected to return the bag to their car before attempting re-entry. Security staff will not hold prohibited items at the gate. Given the distance from some parking lots to the stadium, arriving early is strongly recommended so there is time to return a bag to your vehicle without missing kickoff.
There is no large-scale commercial bag check service at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Fans who know in advance they need to carry items that do not fit the clear bag policy, such as a laptop or a large camera kit, should make alternate arrangements before arriving at the venue.
Rice-Eccles Stadium Security Screening
Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff for most home football games. Fans should plan to be inside the stadium at least 45 minutes before kickoff to comfortably clear security, find their seats, and settle in before pregame festivities begin.
All main stadium gates feature a dedicated no-bag express lane for fans who are not carrying any bag into the stadium. Using the no-bag lane is the fastest way to enter Rice-Eccles Stadium and is highly recommended for fans who can leave all bags in their vehicle. For fans arriving via TRAX, three gates provide entry on the west side of the stadium: Gates F, D, and the Cauldron Stairs.
The stadium uses NFC-enabled ticket scanning technology. Fans should have their digital tickets ready on their mobile device and tap the phone to the scanner before proceeding through the weapons detection system and security screening area. Having tickets pre-loaded to an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet eliminates the need for a wireless signal at the gate.
All bags are subject to search at any point during entry. Security staff reserve the right to inspect and remove any item that does not comply with stadium policy. Fans arriving from lots east of the stadium are encouraged to use Gate L on 500 South, which is staffed with the greatest number of ticket-scanning devices and personnel to handle high-volume traffic.
Tips for Game Day at Rice-Eccles Stadium
Switch to a clear bag before leaving home. Pack your clear 12″ x 12″ x 6″ tote or a one-gallon Ziploc bag the night before the game so you are not scrambling in the parking lot. Put your ID, credit card, phone, and keys into the small clutch and keep it separate from the clear bag for quick access at security.
Leave all opaque bags, backpacks, and standard purses locked in your vehicle. Even a small crossbody bag that exceeds 6.5″ x 4.5″ will be turned away. If you are unsure whether a bag qualifies, default to leaving it behind, security staff will not make exceptions for bags that fall outside the posted dimensions.
For cool or rainy weather, carry your jacket or blanket over your arm rather than stuffing it into a bag. Items that are folded will be opened and inspected by security, so keeping outerwear draped over your shoulder speeds up the process. Utah’s high-altitude fall weather can shift quickly, so lightweight layers carried openly are the most practical approach.
Rice-Eccles Stadium is entirely cashless. Load a credit card or set up a mobile payment app on your phone before arriving. Fans who want to order concessions from their seat can use the Utah 360 app, which supports mobile ordering with dedicated pickup windows on both the east and west sides of the concourse. Download and set up the Utah 360 app before game day to take full advantage of in-seat ordering and stadium navigation tools.
Heading to a show? See our Rice-Eccles Stadium parking guide for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size clear bag is allowed at Rice-Eccles Stadium?
The maximum allowed clear bag size is 12″ x 12″ x 6″. A one-gallon plastic storage bag, such as a Ziploc-style resealable bag, is also an approved alternative. Each fan is limited to one clear bag per entry.
Are diaper bags allowed at Rice-Eccles Stadium?
Yes. Diaper bags are permitted as an exception to the clear bag policy but are subject to a security search. The infant for whom the bag is being carried must be present at the time of the inspection.
Can I bring a camera or binoculars to a Utah Utes game?
Cameras and binoculars are allowed inside Rice-Eccles Stadium, but their cases are not. You must carry the camera or binoculars without a bag or case. Do not pack them inside your clear bag if the case itself is not clear or if it pushes the bag over the size limit.
Can I bring a water bottle into Rice-Eccles Stadium?
Yes. One factory-sealed water bottle per person of one liter or less is permitted. Frozen water bottles are not allowed. Empty personal reusable water bottles of one liter or less are also permitted; water refill stations are located on the concourses throughout the stadium.
Are seat cushions allowed at Rice-Eccles Stadium?
Seat cushions are permitted as long as they are 18″ in width or less and have no pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers. Seat cushions with any of those features are prohibited. Fans can also rent chairback seats on game day for $10 at the northwest and southeast corners of the stadium concourse.
Can I bring a medical bag into the stadium?
Yes. Bags containing medical supplies and medically necessary equipment are permitted beyond the standard clear bag policy. All medical bags are subject to inspection by security staff before entry is granted.
Are umbrellas allowed at Rice-Eccles Stadium?
Small personal umbrellas are generally permitted at Rice-Eccles Stadium. They should be carried openly and not stored inside a bag or case. Security staff make final decisions on any item at the gate, so compact umbrellas are the safest option.
Is there bag storage at Rice-Eccles Stadium?
A limited bag storage area is available at Rice-Eccles Stadium on game days, primarily designated for strollers, which are not permitted inside the stadium. Fans with prohibited bags are expected to return them to their vehicle whenever possible.
