Camp Randall Bag Policy 2026 | Clear Bag Rules for Badgers Games
Camp Randall Stadium in Madison runs the classic college clear-bag rule, with one generous twist. Each ticket holder may bring one small clutch purse up to 6.5″ x 4.5″ and one large clear bag — either a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag or a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear tote.
The clutch must be carried outside the clear bag, and everything else stays out — including fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags. This guide covers the official camp randall bag policy in full, so you can pack once and walk straight into a Badgers game.
Quick Answer
| Question / Feature | Policy Rule |
|---|---|
| Clear tote allowed? | Yes — 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear tote, one per ticket holder |
| One-gallon clear bag allowed? | Yes — Ziploc-style storage bag, one per ticket holder |
| Small clutch allowed? | Yes — 6.5″ x 4.5″, carried outside the clear bag |
| Diaper bags | Allowed with a child, subject to thorough inspection |
| Medical items | Exception allowed; inspected and tagged by security supervisors at the gates |
| Bag searches | Yes — all bags inspected; medical and diaper bags inspected thoroughly |
| Non-compliant bag storage | None — there is NO check-in location; return the bag to your vehicle |
| Seat cushions | Allowed up to 16″ wide, without pockets, zippers, compartments, arm rests, or covers |
Official Policy Verification & Source Check
- Official source: Football Bag Policy FAQs at UWBadgers.com, the University of Wisconsin athletics site, which publishes the Camp Randall bag policy for football game days.
- Source type: University athletics FAQ (primary source), published by UW Athletics.
- Last checked: October 2026.
- Confidence level: High — the figures appear in UW Athletics’ own FAQ, and the same dimensions are repeated across Ticketmaster and Madison game-day guides.
- Notes on conflicting figures: No conflicting figure was found. Some guides write the clutch as 4.5″ x 6.5″ and others as 6.5″ x 4.5″ — that is the same size in a different order, not a conflict. This article publishes the official FAQ’s 6.5″ x 4.5″. The clear tote is consistently 12″ x 6″ x 12″ everywhere it appears.
How We Check This Policy: We read UW Athletics’ own Football Bag Policy FAQ directly, then cross-checked the dimensions against Ticketmaster’s venue guide and Madison game-day guides found through Google search. Where figures agreed, we published them as written; where third-party guides added details the FAQ does not state — such as re-entry and gate-open times — we kept those details and flagged them below as third-party-sourced.
One scope note matters: this policy applies to Wisconsin football game days at Camp Randall Stadium only. Other UW venues and events have separate policies, published under UWBadgers.com fan policies.
What Makes Camp Randall’s Bag Policy Different
Camp Randall Stadium is home to the Wisconsin Badgers, and on game days it holds about 76,118 fans in the heart of Madison. The bag rule follows the standard college pattern — clear bag plus small clutch — but with a stricter line on accessories than many stadiums.
The difference is in the details. Fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags are all prohibited here, even though fans routinely carry them elsewhere. Cameras and binoculars themselves are allowed, but only carried by a neck strap or in hand, with no case or bag at all.
The other difference is unforgiving: there is no check-in location for prohibited bags at Camp Randall Stadium. Guests with a non-approved bag are not admitted and are asked to return it to their vehicle, so a wrong bag costs you time and possibly kickoff.
Allowed Bags and Size Limits
| Bag Type | Entry Status | Max Dimensions | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag | Allowed | One gallon | One per ticket holder; must be clear |
| Clear tote | Allowed | 12″ x 6″ x 12″ | One per ticket holder; must be clear |
| Small clutch purse | Allowed | 6.5″ x 4.5″ | One per ticket holder; must be carried outside the clear bag; subject to search |
| Diaper bag (with child) | Allowed | No published size limit | Subject to thorough inspection |
| Medical items bag | Allowed as exception | No published size limit | Inspected and tagged by security supervisors at the gates |
| All other purses and bags larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″ | Not allowed | — | Includes fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags |
What a Compliant Bag Looks Like
Picture the classic Badgers kit: a clear tote about a foot tall and six inches deep, plus a small clutch about the size of a phone wallet, carried separately. Either clear option plus the clutch passes at Camp Randall, and the clear tote has the edge — security can see inside at a glance, so it moves through the gate fastest.
The clutch rule is easy to get wrong. It must be carried outside the clear bag, not tucked inside it, and it is subject to search on its own. Keep the clutch in your hand or on your shoulder, not inside the tote.
Purses and Totes
Your everyday purse will only pass if it meets the clutch test at 6.5″ x 4.5″ or smaller. Anything larger must be a clear bag — either the one-gallon Ziploc-style bag or the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ tote.
The practical swap is a clear tote. Transfer your phone, cards, keys, and a light layer into it before you reach security, keep the clutch outside it, and leave the purse in the car or at home.
Diaper and Medical Bags
Diaper bags are permitted when you bring a child, and carrying diapers and non-medical baby items in a clear bag is strongly recommended. Diaper bags are subject to thorough inspection at the gates.
Medical items that cannot fit in a clear bag are permitted as an exception. Those bags and equipment are inspected and tagged by security supervisors at the gates, so allow extra time and keep medical items accessible.
Security Screening: How Entry Actually Works
Expect metal detectors and bag inspections at the gates, with thorough inspections for diaper bags and tagging for medical bags. Gates generally open about 90 minutes before kickoff, per Madison game-day guides, so an early arrival beats the biggest crowd.
If you arrive with a non-approved bag, you will not be admitted and will be asked to return it to your vehicle. There is no check-in location for prohibited bags at Camp Randall Stadium, so the only fix is the walk back to the car.
On-Site Bag Storage
There is no bag storage, locker, or bag-check service at Camp Randall Stadium, and the official FAQ states this plainly: there is no check-in location for prohibited bags. Your car is your only fallback if a bag fails the gate check.
If you are unsure about a bag, leave it in the vehicle before you walk to the gate. A return trip costs a few minutes, but a refused bag can cost you kickoff — and Camp Randall does not allow re-entry, per third-party game-day guides.
Food, Beverage and Other Prohibited Items
Outside food and beverages are not allowed, and concessions inside the stadium are cashless, per Madison game-day guides. Blankets are allowed, which is welcome news on a cold Madison afternoon, and seat cushions or chairbacks are permitted up to 16″ wide without pockets, zippers, compartments, arm rests, or covers.
Umbrellas, strollers, laser pointers, banners, flags, signs, noisemakers, weapons, inflatables, laptops, video recorders, monopods, and tripods are prohibited, per the venue’s Ticketmaster guide. Keep the kit simple: clear bag, clutch, blanket, and cushion.
Prohibited Items
- All purses and bags larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″ that are not clear
- Clear bags larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or larger than one gallon
- Fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags
- Seat cushions or chairbacks larger than 16″ wide, or with pockets, zippers, compartments, arm rests, or covers
- Outside food and beverages
- Umbrellas and strollers
- Laser pointers, banners, flags, signs, and noisemakers
- Weapons, inflatables, laptops, and video recorders
- Monopods and tripods
Packing Strategy for Faster Entry
- Go clear first: A 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear tote is fastest through security, since staff can see everything without unpacking it.
- Carry the clutch outside: The 6.5″ x 4.5″ clutch must be carried outside the clear bag, not tucked inside it.
- Skip the cases: Binocular and camera cases are prohibited — carry cameras and binoculars by neck strap or in hand.
- Pack exceptions neatly: Diaper bags face thorough inspection and medical bags are tagged, so keep essentials on top.
- Bring the blanket: Blankets are allowed, and a Madison afternoon can turn cold fast.
- Arrive early: Gates generally open about 90 minutes before kickoff, and early arrivals skip the longest lines.
Category-Specific Packing Tips
Student sections: Students in sections J through P pack light for a reason — standing, jumping, and the Jump Around tradition between the third and fourth quarters are easier without a bag. A clutch alone is the smart choice.
Families: Diaper bags are permitted with a child and face thorough inspection, so pack them neatly and arrive early. Strollers are prohibited, so plan for a carrier instead.
Cold-weather games: Layers worn into the stadium beat layers packed in a bag, since bag space is limited. A blanket and an approved cushion cover the rest.
Photographers: Cameras are allowed only without a case or bag, carried by neck strap or in hand. Leave the camera bag in the car, or it will be refused at the gate.
Before You Go Checklist
- Clear tote no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, or a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style bag
- Small clutch no larger than 6.5″ x 4.5″, carried outside the clear bag
- Ticket on your phone, plus photo ID if you plan to buy alcohol
- Phone, keys, and cards packed in the compliant bag
- Blanket and approved cushion, if wanted
- Diaper or medical essentials packed neatly on top, if applicable
- Camera or binoculars carried by neck strap, with no case
- Cashless payment ready — concessions do not take cash
- Arrival planned around the 90-minute gate opening
- Everyday purse, fanny pack, and camera bag left in the car or at home
FAQs
What size bag can I bring to Camp Randall Stadium?
One large clear bag per ticket holder — either a one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag or a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear tote — plus one small clutch purse up to 6.5″ x 4.5″, carried outside the clear bag.
Does the clutch have to be clear at Camp Randall?
No. The small clutch up to 6.5″ x 4.5″ does not need to be clear, but it must be carried outside the clear bag and is subject to search.
Are fanny packs allowed at Camp Randall?
No. Fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags are all prohibited. Cameras and binoculars are allowed only carried by neck strap or in hand, without any case or bag.
Are diaper bags allowed at Camp Randall?
Yes, when accompanied by a child. Diaper bags are subject to thorough inspection, and carrying diapers and non-medical baby items in a clear bag is strongly recommended.
Is there bag storage at Camp Randall Stadium?
No. There is no check-in location for prohibited bags at Camp Randall Stadium. Guests with a non-approved bag are not admitted and must return it to their vehicle.
Does the Camp Randall bag policy apply to all UW events?
No. The policy applies to Wisconsin football game days at Camp Randall Stadium only. Other UW venues and events have separate policies.
Related Bag Policies
- Michigan Stadium Bag Policy Guide
- Soldier Field Bag Policy Guide
- MetLife Stadium Bag Policy Guide
- Wrigley Field Bag Policy Guide
Conclusion
The Camp Randall bag policy is the classic college formula with a firm edge: one clear bag — a gallon Ziploc-style bag or a 12″ x 6″ x 12″ tote — plus a 6.5″ x 4.5″ clutch carried outside it. Fanny packs, binocular cases, and camera bags are out, and there is no bag storage to save a wrong choice.
Pack the clear bag, keep the clutch outside it, leave the cases in the car, and arrive early. Then enjoy the game — and Jump Around between the third and fourth quarters without a bag in the way.
