Vaught-Hemingway Stadium allows bags 12" x 6" x 12" (clear bags); 4.5" x 6.5" (clutches) or smaller. Backpacks are not allowed. Clear bags are required.
What Is the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Bag Policy?
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium enforces a strict SEC clear bag policy for all Ole Miss football games and events: every bag brought into the stadium must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and must not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
The policy is mandated at the conference level. The SEC implemented the clear bag rule across all member stadiums to improve security screening speed and effectiveness. Ole Miss enforces it without exception at every gate on game day.
Fans who arrive with a non-compliant bag will be turned away at the entry checkpoint. There is no bag storage or check service available at or near the stadium, so any prohibited bag will need to go back to your vehicle. Ole Miss Athletics encourages fans to leave bags behind entirely for the fastest entry experience.
Approved Bags at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Three bag types are permitted inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. First, clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Second, one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, such as a Ziploc bag or equivalent. Third, small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″, roughly the size of a hand.
A clutch bag and one clear bag may be carried simultaneously. The clutch does not need to be clear, but it must stay within the 4.5″ x 6.5″ size limit. If your clutch exceeds that footprint, it must be clear and fall within the larger 12″ x 6″ x 12″ dimensions instead.
If your clear bag carries a logo or team branding, that logo may appear on one side of the bag only and may not exceed 4.5″ tall by 3.4″ wide. Logos that exceed this size can cause a bag to be rejected at the gate even if the bag itself is the right dimensions.
An exception is made for medically necessary items. Fans requiring medical bags or equipment must proceed to Gate 16 on the east side or Gate 33 on the west side for inspection before being granted entry.
Prohibited Bags and Items
Backpacks of any size and material are prohibited at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, as are standard purses, tote bags, drawstring bags, fanny packs, and any opaque bag that does not meet the SEC clear bag dimensions. Bringing a non-compliant bag to the gate means you will not be allowed inside.
Beyond bags, the official Ole Miss prohibited items list covers a wide range of items. Outside food, beverages, coolers, and containers are not allowed in, the single exception is one sealed water bottle or an empty drink container that does not exceed 20 oz. Umbrellas, poles, and sticks are prohibited. Artificial noisemakers including air horns, cowbells, and whistles are not permitted. Video cameras and drones are banned.
Chairback seats with armrests and any chairback seat larger than 16″ are not allowed. Strollers and baby carriers are prohibited inside the stadium. Full face coverings are not permitted. Unauthorized banners and signs larger than 17″ x 11″ will be turned away. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought in from outside. Ole Miss Athletics reserves the right to prohibit any additional item deemed dangerous or disruptive to the fan experience.
Bag Check and Storage Options
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium does not offer a bag check or storage service. If you arrive with a bag that does not comply with the SEC clear bag policy, you must return it to your vehicle before re-attempting entry. There is no on-site location to leave, check, or store non-compliant items.
Given the size of the campus and the distance from many parking areas, returning a bag to your car can cost significant time, especially during high-attendance SEC games when lots fill early. The safest approach is to pack only what you need inside a compliant clear bag before leaving your vehicle.
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Security Screening
All fans must pass through security screening at the gates before entering Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Security staff will inspect all bags at entry, and only clear bags meeting the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller standard are permitted through.
Gate assignments are specific. Students enter through Gates 1 through 6. Rebel Club members use Gate 14. The ADA access elevator is located at Gate 15. Visiting team will call and pass lists are handled at Gate 19. South Suites access is through Gates 24 and 25. Fans with medically necessary items should report to Gate 16 (east) or Gate 33 (west) for inspection prior to entry.
Screening lines grow quickly as kickoff approaches, particularly for night games and high-profile SEC matchups. Arriving at least 90 minutes before kickoff is strongly recommended. Have your mobile ticket ready and your bag open before reaching the checkpoint, this small step measurably reduces wait time for everyone in line. In the event of an emergency inside the stadium, dial 911 or text “REBS” along with the issue and your location to 662-291-7242.
Tips for Game Day at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Pack light and pack clear. Load your 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bag with only what you need, phone, wallet, keys, sunscreen, and any medication, and leave the rest in your car. Anything bulky that does not fit in a compliant bag will create a problem at the gate.
Mississippi fall weather can be unpredictable. Umbrellas are prohibited inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, so a small poncho folded into your clear bag is the best way to prepare for rain without running into a policy violation. Dress in breathable layers for afternoon games when temperatures can remain warm, and bring an extra layer for night kickoffs when temperatures drop after dark.
Chairback seats are subject to specific size limits, any chairback with armrests or any seat larger than 16″ will be turned away at the gate. Stick to a standard, flat seat cushion without armrests if you want to bring extra comfort into the stands.
Campus parking opens at 7 a.m. on game day and is entirely reserved with an Ole Miss Athletics Foundation parking pass. Build time into your arrival for both parking and the Walk of Champions, the traditional pregame procession where the team walks from the student union to the stadium through a crowd of cheering fans. Gates typically open two to three hours before kickoff, and getting in early makes the security screening process significantly smoother.
Heading to a show? See our Vaught-Hemingway Stadium parking guide for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are diaper bags allowed at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
Standard diaper bags are not automatically exempt from the clear bag policy. Fans with infants should pack diaper essentials inside a compliant clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Strollers and baby carriers are also prohibited inside the stadium, so plan accordingly.
Can I bring a camera to Ole Miss games?
Video cameras and drones are explicitly prohibited at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Small personal cameras without detachable lenses are generally permitted, but professional-grade cameras with removable lenses are not allowed. When in doubt, check the official Ole Miss Athletics A-Z guide before game day.
Can I bring a water bottle into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
Yes. The official Ole Miss prohibited items list allows one sealed water bottle or an empty drink container that does not exceed 20 oz. Larger containers and coolers are not permitted.
Are umbrellas allowed inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
No. Umbrellas, poles, and sticks are on the official prohibited items list. Fans expecting rain should bring a compact, foldable poncho that fits inside their compliant clear bag.
Are seat cushions allowed at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
Flat seat cushions without armrests are generally permitted. Chairback seats with armrests and any chairback seat larger than 16″ are explicitly prohibited and will be turned away at the gate.
What happens if I bring a non-compliant bag to the gate?
Security staff will not allow you into the stadium with a non-compliant bag, and there is no bag storage or check service on site. You will need to return the bag to your vehicle before re-attempting entry, so pack correctly before leaving your parking spot.
Can I bring medication or medical equipment into the stadium?
Yes. An exception is made for medically necessary items after proper inspection. Fans with medical bags or equipment must use Gate 16 on the east side or Gate 33 on the west side to undergo screening before entry is granted.
Is there a logo size rule for clear bags at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium?
Yes. Any logo on a clear bag may only appear on one side of the bag and may not exceed 4.5″ tall by 3.4″ wide. A bag with a logo larger than these dimensions can be rejected even if the bag itself meets the size requirement.
