Nestled in the heart of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the Dean E. Smith Center, affectionately known as the Dean Dome, stands as a legendary monument to college basketball and home to the passionate North Carolina Tar Heels. With a seating capacity of over 21,000 fans, it's one of the largest on-campus arenas in the country and provides an electric atmosphere for every game.
To ensure your game day experience is as smooth as it is thrilling, familiarizing yourself with the Dean Dome bag policy before you arrive is essential. Understanding these security guidelines will help you breeze through entry and get to your seat faster, so you won't miss a moment of the action on the court.
Embracing the UNC Basketball Bag Policy
Clear Bag Policy
In accordance with NCAA security standards and best practices across major sporting venues, Carolina Athletics strongly encourages fans to avoid bringing bags whenever possible. This ” no bag” approach is the fastest way to enter the arena. However, the UNC basketball bag policy does accommodate certain items when bags are necessary.
Specifically, any clear plastic or vinyl bag within the dimensions of 12″³ x 12″³ x 6″³ is permissible. This includes standard one-gallon clear freezer bags, which are inexpensive, readily available at any grocery store, and perfect for carrying your essentials like keys, phone, wallet, and lip balm.
Check out Arena Approved Bags: Buy Now!
Additionally, small clutch purses are welcome within the arena, provided they don't exceed the size limit of 4.5″³ x 6.5″³. These can be carried with or without a strap and don't need to be clear, making them a convenient option for fans who prefer a more traditional accessory.
Medical items and supplies are not excluded from these provisions. Fans requiring medical bags or equipment can bring them into the venue following inspection at designated entry points, ensuring that all attendees can meet their health needs without compromising arena-wide safety standards.
Smith Center Purse Policy Explained
A crucial component of the UNC basketball bag policy is its specific stipulations regarding purses. The Dean Dome purse policy is straightforward: small clutch purses that do not exceed 4.5″³ x 6.5″³ are permitted, whether or not they're transparent. Anything larger must comply with the clear bag requirements mentioned above.
This careful regulation enhances the security screening process and ensures all attendees enjoy a safe, distraction-free game experience. Planning ahead with these size constraints in mind, perhaps measuring your purse at home before game day, will facilitate a hassle-free visit to the Dean Dome and help you avoid the disappointment of having to return items to your vehicle.
What Can I Bring to the Smith Center?
Beyond the clear bag requirements, UNC fans are welcome to bring several additional items to enhance their game day experience. Binoculars are permitted and can be especially useful if you're seated in the upper levels of the arena. Cameras are also allowed, so you can capture those unforgettable moments when the Tar Heels make a championship-caliber play.
Tablets like iPads are permitted as well, though it's important to note that any electronic device should either fit in your pocket or inside your approved clear bag. Camera bags, tablet sleeves, and other electronic device carriers are prohibited, so plan to carry these items without their original cases.
UNC Water Bottle Policy
Staying hydrated during the excitement of a Tar Heels basketball game is important, and the Smith Center accommodates this need. UNC basketball fans can bring up to two unopened bottles of water into the arena, provided each bottle is 20 ounces or smaller. This policy helps you save money on concessions while ensuring you have water readily available.
Alternatively, you're welcome to bring empty reusable drink containers, which can be filled at the venue's water fountains located throughout the concourse. This environmentally friendly option is perfect for fans who prefer to reduce plastic waste while staying refreshed during the game.
List of Prohibited Items at the Smith Center
To maintain a safe and secure environment for all fans, the Smith Center enforces a comprehensive list of prohibited items. Understanding what you cannot bring will save you time and frustration at the entrance gates.
Prohibited items include: coolers, briefcases, backpacks, diaper bags (except for families with infants, subject to inspection), fanny packs, luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags, and any purse or bag that exceeds the stated size limits. Additionally, items like weapons, illegal substances, outside food (beyond the water bottle allowance), alcohol, noisemakers, and laser pointers are strictly forbidden.
These measures are enforced to create a safe, family-friendly environment and to expedite entry for thousands of fans. Security personnel reserve the right to inspect any item and refuse entry to anyone not complying with these policies. To avoid delays or having to return to your vehicle, it's best to leave prohibited items at home entirely.
By embracing the Dean Dome and UNC basketball bag policies, you're contributing to a sporting environment that prioritizes safety, security, and the celebrated spirit of Tar Heel basketball. This cooperation allows everyone to focus on what matters most: cheering on the team and enjoying the unparalleled game day atmosphere that has made the Dean Dome a bucket-list destination for college basketball fans nationwide. Go Heels!