Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium allows bags 12" x 6" x 12" (clear bags); 4.5" x 6.5" (clutches); one-gallon Ziploc also permitted or smaller. Backpacks are not allowed. Clear bags are required.
What Is the Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium Bag Policy?
Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium enforces a strict clear bag policy for all Indiana Hoosiers football games. Every fan must bring their belongings in an approved clear bag or a small clutch, no exceptions for standard purses, backpacks, or tote bags.
The policy has been in place since the 2017 season and mirrors requirements used across the NFL and the Big Ten Conference. IU Athletics adopted it following a security review conducted by MSA Security, a firm retained by the Big Ten to assess safety at conference venues. The goal is faster gate entry and a safer environment for all 53,524 fans the stadium holds.
The core size limits are: a clear plastic bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc or equivalent), or a small clutch bag with or without a handle or strap that does not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″. Each fan is limited to one clear bag plus one clutch. All bags are searched upon entry.
Approved Bags at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium
Three bag types are permitted inside the stadium. First, a clear plastic bag with maximum dimensions of 12″ x 6″ x 12″, this is the standard clear stadium bag sold at most sporting goods retailers. Second, a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag such as a Ziploc. Third, a small clutch purse, with or without a handle or strap, that does not exceed 4.5″ x 6.5″, roughly the size of a hand. Each fan may carry one clear bag and one clutch simultaneously.
Diaper bags are permitted at all gates after proper inspection. Parents and caregivers should proceed to a standard entry gate and allow staff to inspect the bag before entry. Medical bags and equipment that cannot fit inside a clear bag are also accommodated; fans with those items should enter through designated inspection gates on the east or west side of the stadium (see the Security Screening section below).
Clear bags can be purchased at IU Team Store locations around the stadium if you arrive without one. The clutch option is designed to give fans privacy for small personal items such as keys, a phone, ID, and payment cards while still allowing a quick security check.
Prohibited Bags and Items
All non-clear bags larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″ are prohibited. This includes backpacks, standard purses, drawstring bags, fanny packs, tote bags, and camera bags. Fans who arrive at the gate with a non-conforming bag will not be allowed to enter and will be directed to return the bag to their vehicle. There is no bag check or storage facility inside or adjacent to the stadium.
Coolers of any size are not allowed inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Outside food and drink, including sealed water bottles with liquid, are also prohibited, any water bottle that contains liquid must be emptied completely before entry. Fans may bring one empty clear water bottle up to 64 oz. and fill it at water stations located on the concourse near Section 22 (East Side), Section 9 (West Side), and the North Side restroom areas.
Strollers are not permitted inside the stadium. Umbrellas also cannot be carried into or used inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Video recording devices and cameras with lenses longer than six inches are prohibited. The entire IU Bloomington campus is tobacco-free and vaping-free, so all tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and alternative nicotine products are banned on university property, including inside and around the stadium.
Bag Check and Storage Options
There is no bag check or storage facility at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. IU Athletics has confirmed that check-in facilities are not available at the venue. Fans with bags that do not comply with the clear bag policy must return them to their vehicle before attempting to enter.
Because there is no on-site storage, the best strategy is to pack only what you need in an approved clear bag before leaving for the game. If you are driving, plan extra time to return to your vehicle and retrieve a compliant bag if needed. Rideshare and shuttle riders should confirm their bags meet the policy before leaving home, as returning to a remote drop-off point for a bag swap can cost significant time on busy game days.
Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium Security Screening
All fans are subject to a search upon entering Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Walk-through metal detectors (magnetometers) are in place at every gate. Security staff will inspect all clear bags and clutches at the gate before allowing entry.
Fans carrying diaper bags or medically necessary equipment that cannot fit in a clear bag should use the designated inspection gates. During football games, those gates are located on the east side of the stadium at E2 and E4, and on the west side at W2 and W3. All items brought through inspection gates remain subject to a full search.
Gates typically open 90 minutes to two hours before kickoff. With sellout crowds common for marquee Big Ten matchups, IU Athletics strongly encourages fans to arrive early to clear security and reach their seats before kickoff. Processing time at the gates moves faster when bags comply with the policy, so having your clear bag organized and ready to open before reaching the checkpoint makes a real difference.
Tips for Game Day
Pack your clear bag at home rather than in the parking lot. Put your phone, wallet, keys, and any small personal items in your 4.5″ x 6.5″ clutch, and use the clear bag for larger items like sunscreen, a light jacket, or snacks purchased at a tailgate before you enter. Keep the clear bag easy to open and unzip, security staff will need to look inside.
Bring a blanket for cold-weather games. Blankets are permitted inside Memorial Stadium after a search at the gate. Do not bring your own seat cushion, only seat cushions rented or purchased inside the stadium are allowed. Stadium seatback rentals are available on game day at kiosks located on the East and West concourses, inside Gate E3 and Gate W2.
Leave your umbrella in the car. Umbrellas cannot be carried inside the stadium regardless of weather conditions. If rain is in the forecast, bring an approved clear poncho inside your clear bag instead.
Bring an empty clear water bottle up to 64 oz. and fill it at one of the free water stations inside the stadium. This saves money and avoids having a full bottle turned away at the gate. All concessions, the Team Store, and the ticket office are cashless, bring a credit card or set up Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone before you leave home.
Heading to a show? See our Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium parking guide for everything else you need to know before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are diaper bags allowed at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium?
Yes. Necessary diaper bags are permitted at all gates after proper inspection. During football games, the dedicated inspection gates are E2 and E4 on the east side, and W2 and W3 on the west side. All items inside the bag are subject to a full search.
Can I bring a camera to a Hoosiers football game?
Small cameras are permitted, but video recording devices and cameras with lenses longer than six inches are not allowed. Binoculars are also permitted as long as they are not carried in their own bag. Photos may not be sold or used for commercial purposes.
Can I bring a water bottle into the stadium?
You may bring one empty clear water bottle up to 64 oz. Any bottle that contains liquid will need to be completely emptied at the gate before you enter. Free water stations are located near Section 22 on the East Side, Section 9 on the West Side, and at water fountains near the North Side restrooms.
Are umbrellas allowed inside Memorial Stadium?
No. Umbrellas cannot be carried into or used inside Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. If rain is expected, pack a clear poncho in your approved clear bag instead.
Can I bring my own seat cushion?
No. Outside seat cushions are not permitted. Only seat cushions available for rent or purchase inside the stadium are allowed. Stadium seatback kiosks are located on the East and West concourses, inside Gate E3 and Gate W2.
What happens if I show up with a bag that does not meet the policy?
Fans with non-conforming bags will not be allowed to enter and will be directed to return the bag to their vehicle. There is no on-site bag check or storage, so you must go back to your car before re-entering the gate line.
Can I bring medical equipment that does not fit in a clear bag?
Yes. Necessary medical equipment that does not fit in a clear bag is permitted after inspection. Use the designated inspection gates, E2 or E4 on the east side, or W2 or W3 on the west side, during football games. All items are subject to a full search.
Can I bring a blanket to a cold-weather game?
Yes. Fans may bring blankets into Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium after they have been searched at the gate. There is no size restriction stated in the official policy, but the blanket must pass inspection before entry.
