US Open Bag Policy 2026 | Size Limits & Entry Guide
Heading to the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York? The us open bag policy is strict and specific: one bag per guest, no larger than 12″W x 12″H x 16″L, and backpacks are banned outright. This 2026 guide covers the tennis championship’s exact rules — not the golf US Open — so you clear security on the first try.
Quick Answer
| Feature | Policy Rule |
|---|---|
| Max bag size | 12″W x 12″H x 16″L |
| Bags per guest | One bag only |
| Clear bag required? | No — opaque bags are fine within the size limit |
| Backpacks | Prohibited (exception: single-compartment drawstring bags; ADA/medical confirmed by security) |
| Bag search | All bags searched at entry |
| On-site bag storage | None inside; paid storage outside Main Entry and Champions’ Gate |
| Reusable water bottles | Metal or plastic, 24 oz. or less — allowed |
| Cameras | Cell phones and SLR cameras with lenses 300mm or less; no video cameras or pro gear |
Official Policy Verification & Source Check
- Official source: US Open — “Bag Policy and Prohibited Items” (usopen.org), official site of the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships, a USTA event
- Source type: Official tournament policy page
- Last checked: October 6, 2026
- Confidence level: High — the 12″W x 12″H x 16″L limit, one-bag rule, and backpack ban are stated verbatim on the official page, read directly
- Notes on conflicting figures: Google’s AI Overview and current secondary sources (Sports Illustrated, Yardbarker, EssentiallySports, Radical Storage) all agree — one bag per guest, 12″W x 12″H x 16″L, backpacks prohibited with the drawstring-bag exception. No dimension conflicts found. One third-party guide places paid bag storage at the East Gate and South Gate; the official page names the Main Entry and the Champions’ Gate — this article follows the official page.
How We Check This Policy: We read the tournament’s official policy page directly, then compare its dimensions against Google’s AI Overview summary and current fan guides. When sources disagree, the official figure wins and the differing figure is named above. Here, every source agreed.
What Makes the US Open’s Bag Policy Different
Unlike the year-round stadiums and arenas on this site, the US Open is a two-week Grand Slam at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, with rules written for a sprawling multi-court festival. The headline limit is one bag per guest at 12″W x 12″H x 16″L — a taller, narrower footprint than the NFL-style 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bag most sports fans know. The same rule covers Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, and every outer court.
The second standout is the backpack rule: banned, but with a precise exception for single-compartment drawstring bags, plus ADA/medical equipment bags confirmed by a security supervisor. And unlike NFL stadiums, there is no clear-bag mandate at all — an opaque tote or messenger bag is fine within the size box. With screening run alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement, and entry implying consent to search, plan for a thorough check rather than a wave-through.
Allowed Bags and Size Limits
| Bag Type | Entry Status | Max Dimensions | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tote, purse, or messenger bag | Allowed | 12″W x 12″H x 16″L | |
| Single-compartment drawstring bag | Allowed | 12″W x 12″H x 16″L | The explicit exception to the backpack ban |
| Small clutch or wristlet | Allowed | 12″W x 12″H x 16″L | No separate clutch rule; counts as your one bag |
| Diaper bag | Allowed as exception | Keep to a reasonable size | Size exception may apply; confirm with a security supervisor |
| Medically necessary bag | Allowed as exception | No strict stated limit | Must be confirmed by a security supervisor |
| Seat cushion | Allowed | — | No pockets, zippers, or compartments |
| Multi-compartment backpack | Prohibited | Any size | Banned regardless of size |
| Hard cooler | Prohibited | Any size | — |
| Suitcase or wheeled luggage | Prohibited | Any size | Use paid storage outside the gates |
Clutches and Small Purses
The US Open publishes no separate clutch dimension — a clutch simply counts as your one bag and must fit the same 12″W x 12″H x 16″L box. The 16-inch length is what catches oversized totes.
Diaper and Medical Bags
The official policy names no dedicated diaper-bag exception — only a size exception for ADA/medical equipment, confirmed by a security supervisor. Standard diaper bags fall under the regular one-bag rule.
What a Compliant Bag Looks Like at the US Open
Picture a medium canvas tote or slim messenger bag — one main compartment, roughly the size of a shoebox stood on end. A single-compartment drawstring bag is the easiest thing to carry across 17 courts all day. Opaque is fine.
What fails: any multi-compartment backpack regardless of size, a hard-sided cooler, a rolling suitcase, or a tote exceeding even one of the three measurements. If your bag is rejected, paid storage outside the Main Entry or Champions’ Gate is your only option — measure before you leave.
Security Screening: How Entry Actually Works
Every guest is screened before entry, alongside local, state, and federal law enforcement. Entering the facility means consenting to searches of yourself and your belongings — at entry, at checkpoints, or at any time on the grounds. Refuse, and you will be denied entry without refund.
The USTA encourages fans to take mass transit and arrive early — the 7 train to Mets–Willets Point is the standard route. Have your bag open for inspection and your ticket accessible.
On-Site Bag Storage
There is no bag storage inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. For a nominal charge, storage is available outside the Main Entry and the Champions’ Gate — so drop the bag before joining the screening line. Most fans arrive by train with no car to fall back on, so anything questionable should go to outside storage first, or stay home.
Food, Beverages & Prohibited Items
The official list does not name outside food explicitly, but it bans glass bottles, containers, and cans of any kind, plus alcohol and illegal substances — with reusable metal or plastic water bottles of 24 oz. or less as the explicit exception:
- Backpacks (except single-compartment drawstring bags; ADA/medical confirmed by a security supervisor)
- Bags larger than 12″W x 12″H x 16″L — one bag per guest
- Hard coolers or like containers; sealed packages of any kind
- Glass bottles, containers, or cans (except reusable metal or plastic bottles of 24 oz. or less)
- Alcohol or other beverages containing alcohol
- Aerosol cans and noise-making devices
- Video cameras and recording devices (exception: cell phones and SLR cameras with lenses up to 300mm); tripods, monopods, and pro camera equipment
- Computers and laptops
- Weapons of any kind, including replicas, ammunition, and tasers
- Tennis racquets (except on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day or racquets purchased at the facility)
- Flags, banners, and signs
- Selfie sticks and other telescopic devices; drones and model aircraft
- Chairs, stools, and seating devices (seat cushions without pockets, zippers, or compartments are allowed)
- Mace, pepper spray, and other chemical irritants
- Animals (only trained service animals; emotional support animals are not permitted)
Packing Strategy for Faster Entry
- Skip the backpack: the ban is the number-one gate rejection — a drawstring bag or crossbody avoids it.
- Measure your one bag: confirm 12″W x 12″H x 16″L on all three sides.
- Bring the 24 oz. bottle: reusable metal or plastic, explicitly allowed.
- Leave the racquet at home: prohibited unless it is Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day or you buy one inside.
- Camera check: phone cameras and SLR lenses up to 300mm are fine; leave video cameras and pro rigs behind.
- Go bag-free if you can: no bag means the fastest line through screening.
Category-Specific Packing Tips
- Arthur Ashe Stadium ticketholders: the same one-bag rule applies in Ashe as on the grounds. Arrive early for security lines at the main gates.
- Grounds-pass fans: you will move between outer courts all day, so a single-compartment drawstring bag or light crossbody is ideal.
- Families with kids: standard diaper bags must fit the one-bag rule; get any medical-size exception confirmed by a supervisor. Kids’ Day is the one day racquets are welcome.
- Photography fans: an SLR with a lens 300mm or shorter is allowed, but monopods, tripods, and selfie sticks are banned — plan handheld shots.
Before You Go Checklist
- ☐ One bag only, measuring 12″W x 12″H x 16″L or less on every side
- ☐ No multi-compartment backpacks in the group
- ☐ Reusable water bottle is metal or plastic, 24 oz. or less
- ☐ No glass bottles, cans, alcohol, coolers, or sealed packages
- ☐ Camera lens is 300mm or shorter; no video camera or tripod
- ☐ No tennis racquet (unless Kids’ Day), flags, banners, or selfie sticks
- ☐ Medical/diaper bag exception confirmed with a security supervisor if needed
- ☐ Oversized luggage plan sorted before reaching the grounds
FAQs
What is the US Open bag size limit?
One bag per guest, no larger than 12″W x 12″H x 16″L. All bags are subject to search at entry.
Are backpacks allowed at the US Open?
No — regardless of size. Only single-compartment drawstring bags and ADA/medical bags confirmed by a security supervisor are excepted.
Do I need a clear bag for the US Open?
No. The US Open has no clear-bag mandate — any material is allowed within the 12″W x 12″H x 16″L size limit.
Can I bring a water bottle into the US Open?
Yes — reusable metal or plastic bottles of 24 oz. or less. Glass bottles and cans are prohibited.
Is there bag storage at the US Open?
None inside. Paid storage sits outside the Main Entry and Champions’ Gate for a nominal charge.
Can I bring a camera to the US Open?
Cell phones and SLR cameras with lenses up to 300mm are allowed. Video cameras, recording devices, monopods, tripods, and selfie sticks are prohibited.
Related Bag Policies
- MetLife Stadium Bag Policy Guide
- State Farm Stadium Bag Policy Guide
- Climate Pledge Arena Bag Policy Guide
- Raymond James Stadium Bag Policy Guide
Conclusion
The US Open bag policy comes down to three rules: one bag per guest, 12″W x 12″H x 16″L or smaller, and no backpacks — with single-compartment drawstring bags as the notable exception. No clear bag is required, water bottles up to 24 oz. are welcome, and there is no storage inside the grounds. Measure your bag and ditch the backpack, and you’ll spend the day watching tennis instead of negotiating with security.
