Forest Hills Stadium Bag Policy 2026 | Bag Size Rules & Prohibited Items
Heading to Forest Hills Stadium in Queens for a concert? Unlike the strict clear-bag-only rules at many NFL and MLB venues, Forest Hills Stadium uses a size-based bag policy that doesn’t require transparency. Here’s exactly what’s allowed under the official Forest Hills Stadium bag policy.
Quick Answer: Forest Hills Stadium Bag Policy at a Glance
Forest Hills Stadium allows small soft-sided bags and purses up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ — clear material is not required, though it’s recommended to speed up screening. Laptops and tablets are allowed if carried inside an approved bag. Hard-sided containers, coolers, and large backpacks are prohibited, and all bags are subject to search at entry.
| Question / Feature | Policy Rule |
|---|---|
| Clear bag required? | No — soft-sided bags of any color/material are accepted, clear is just recommended |
| Max bag size | 16″ x 16″ x 8″ |
| Backpacks allowed? | No, large backpacks and duffel bags are prohibited |
| Laptops/tablets | Allowed if carried inside an approved-size bag |
| Diaper/medical bags | Not separately addressed in official policy — expect standard 16″ x 16″ x 8″ limit to apply |
| Outside food/drink | Not permitted |
| On-site bag check? | Yes — $5 per item, located near the Box Office at Burns St. and Tennis Pl. |
| Best safe choice | A soft-sided tote or purse under 16″ x 16″ x 8″, ideally clear or light-colored for faster screening |
| Last verified | September 2026 (Forest Hills Stadium official FAQ) |
Official Policy Verification & Source Check
Official policy source: Forest Hills Stadium’s official FAQ page (foresthillsstadium.com/faq), cross-checked against third-party venue guides from Radical Storage and Stasher
Source type: Venue-official FAQ, supplemented by third-party storage-provider guides
Last checked: September 2026
Confidence level: Medium-High
Important notes: One third-party guide (Radical Storage) doesn’t mention any on-site storage option at all and only promotes off-site storage. A separate source (Stasher) describes a specific on-site Bag Check service for $5 per item near the Box Office at Burns Street and Tennis Place. Since the Stasher account gives a specific location and price rather than a vague claim, and off-site storage companies have an incentive to downplay on-site alternatives, we treat the on-site bag check as real but recommend confirming it’s still operating for your specific event, since drop-off spots at smaller venues can change season to season.
How We Check This Policy: We prioritize the venue’s own FAQ over promotional storage-company content, and flag gaps — like the on-site bag check being omitted from one source but detailed in another — rather than assuming the vaguer source is correct.
What Makes Forest Hills Stadium’s Bag Policy Different
Forest Hills Stadium’s approach stands apart from Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, another outdoor concert venue with a size-based (not universally clear) bag policy. Red Rocks caps bags at 13″ x 15″ x 8″ and requires single-pocket construction — multi-pocket backpacks are turned away even if they’re within size. Forest Hills’ 16″ x 16″ x 8″ limit is more generous on volume and doesn’t include a pocket-count restriction. The bigger practical difference: Red Rocks has no on-site bag check or storage of any kind, while Forest Hills offers a $5-per-item Bag Check near the Box Office — a real safety net if you show up with something oversized, though the single location can mean a wait during peak arrival times.
Allowed Bags and Size Limits Under Forest Hills Stadium’s Bag Policy
| Bag Type | Entry Status | Max Dimensions | Conditions & Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft-Sided Bags, Purses, Totes | Allowed | 16″ x 16″ x 8″ | Clear not required but recommended |
| Fanny Packs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags | Allowed | Within 16″ x 16″ x 8″ | Typically fit well under this limit |
| Laptops & Tablets | Allowed | N/A | Must be carried in an approved-size bag |
| Large Backpacks & Duffel Bags | Prohibited | Any size | Even soft-sided, if oversized |
| Coolers & Hard-Sided Containers | Prohibited | Any size | Briefcases and ice chests included |
| Chairs, Blankets, Umbrellas, Strollers | Prohibited | N/A | Not bag-related but commonly brought by mistake |
Soft-Sided Bags and Purses
Most small totes, purses, and shoulder bags comfortably fit inside the 16″ x 16″ x 8″ limit. There’s no clear-plastic mandate, but a transparent or light-colored bag will move faster through the security line.
Electronics
Laptops and tablets are permitted, but only if they’re carried inside a bag that itself meets the size limit — you can’t bring a laptop bag that exceeds 16″ x 16″ x 8″ just because the device itself is small.
Bags That Exceed the Limit
If your bag is larger than allowed or contains a prohibited item, the on-site Bag Check near the Box Office (Burns St. and Tennis Pl.) holds items for $5 each — useful if you didn’t plan ahead, though it’s a single location that can back up before showtime.
Food and Beverage Rules
Forest Hills Stadium does not allow outside food or beverages of any kind. The venue offers food and drink options on-site instead, so plan to buy there rather than pack a meal.
Prohibited Items Under Forest Hills Stadium’s Bag Policy
- Large backpacks and duffel bags: even soft-sided ones over the size limit
- Coolers and hard-sided containers: including briefcases and ice chests
- Chairs, blankets, umbrellas, and strollers
- Outside food and beverages
- Professional cameras with detachable lenses, GoPros, and drones
- Laser pointers, glow sticks, and flashlights
- Weapons or props resembling weapons
- Illegal substances, mace, or pepper spray
Packing Strategy for Faster Entry
- Measure before you go: 16″ x 16″ x 8″ is generous compared to many stadium clear-bag policies, but it’s still easy to overestimate a tote’s dimensions.
- Choose a clear or light bag if you have one: Not required, but it noticeably speeds up the search line.
- Keep electronics inside your bag, not loose: A laptop or tablet needs to travel inside the approved bag, not carried separately.
- Budget for the $5 Bag Check as a backup, not a plan A: It’s there if you need it, but arriving with a compliant bag avoids the line entirely.
- Skip outside snacks: Since no outside food or drink is allowed, eat before you arrive or plan to buy inside.
Category-Specific Packing Tips
Concertgoers arriving by public transit: Since Forest Hills is subway-accessible, pack light rather than counting on a car to offload a rejected bag — the on-site Bag Check is your realistic fallback here, not a vehicle return.
Fans bringing a laptop or tablet for travel connections: Slide it into your approved-size bag before you leave home rather than carrying it separately, since loose electronics outside a bag aren’t addressed as an exception.
Groups attending together: Consolidate items into one or two compliant bags per group rather than each person carrying a separate tote, since multiple borderline-size bags each risk a stop at the search line.
Before You Go Checklist
- [ ] Bag confirmed under 16″ x 16″ x 8″
- [ ] No hard-sided containers, coolers, or large backpacks packed
- [ ] Laptop/tablet (if any) stored inside the approved bag, not loose
- [ ] No outside food or drink packed
- [ ] $5 cash or card ready in case you need the on-site Bag Check
- [ ] Confirmed Bag Check is operating for your specific event, since hours can vary
Forest Hills Stadium Bag Policy FAQs
Can I bring a backpack to Forest Hills Stadium?
No. Large backpacks and duffel bags are prohibited; only small soft-sided bags up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ are allowed.
Are laptops allowed inside the stadium?
Yes, laptops and tablets are permitted but must be carried inside a bag that meets the size requirement.
Do I need a clear bag at Forest Hills Stadium?
No, a clear bag isn’t required, though using one can speed up the security process.
Can I bring food or drinks into Forest Hills Stadium?
No. Outside food and beverages aren’t allowed inside the venue.
Is there a bag check at Forest Hills Stadium?
Yes — a $5-per-item Bag Check is available near the Box Office at Burns Street and Tennis Place, though it’s worth confirming it’s active for your specific show.
Related Bag Policies
Planning other stadium or theme park visits? Check our other guides:
- Lincoln Financial Field Bag Policy Guide
- Chase Field Bag Policy Guide
- Ford Field Bag Policy Guide
- Target Field Bag Policy Guide
Conclusion
Forest Hills Stadium’s bag policy trades the strict clear-bag mandate of most sports venues for a more flexible, size-based approach — 16″ x 16″ x 8″ covers most totes and purses without requiring transparency. The real safety net is the on-site $5 Bag Check, a rarer amenity among concert venues, but it’s best treated as a backup rather than a reason to skip planning ahead. Confirm current details on Forest Hills Stadium’s official FAQ page before your visit, since bag-check availability can shift by event.








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