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Madison Square Garden bag policy
Independent guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Madison Square Garden or its teams. Check Madison Square Garden's current rules before you go.
Quick answer
- Clear bag required? No. Bags do not have to be clear.
- Size: a bag has to fit comfortably under your seat, and bags larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches are prohibited.
- Screening: every bag, whatever its size, goes through an x-ray screen at entry.
- Bag check: none. The Garden does not provide a place to check bags, coats or other belongings.
- Re-entry: all exits are final, so you cannot leave and come back.
Venue security makes the final call at the gate. This guide repeats the venue's rules and never guarantees entry.
Last verified: , against the venue's page.
It has been more than 60 days since this page was last checked, so it may be out of date. Check the venue's page.
Madison Square Garden is in New York, NY. Home teams: New York Knicks, New York Rangers.
Can I bring this bag?
Venue security makes the final call at the gate. The answers below come only from what the venue's page says, and anything it does not cover is marked Check.
| Bag | Answer | What the venue's page says |
|---|---|---|
| Clear tote | Check with the venue | Clear bags are not required. Conditions from the venue's page: clear not required; under-seat fit, max 22 x 14 x 9 in. Check the general bag rules before you travel. |
| Small clutch | Check with the venue | The venue's page does not name this bag type. General bag guidance (not approval for this type): general rule: bags must fit under the seat; over 22 x 14 x 9 in prohibited; all bags x-rayed. Check with the venue before you travel. |
| Backpack | Check with the venue | The venue's page does not name this bag type. General bag guidance (not approval for this type): general rule: bags must fit under the seat; over 22 x 14 x 9 in prohibited; all bags x-rayed. Check with the venue before you travel. |
| Diaper bag | Check with the venue | The venue's page does not name this bag type. General bag guidance (not approval for this type): general rule: bags must fit under the seat; over 22 x 14 x 9 in prohibited; all bags x-rayed. Check with the venue before you travel. |
| Medical bag | Check with the venue | The venue's page does not name this bag type. General bag guidance (not approval for this type): general rule: bags must fit under the seat; over 22 x 14 x 9 in prohibited; all bags x-rayed. Check with the venue before you travel. |
| Camera bag | Check with the venue | The venue's page does not name this bag type. General bag guidance (not approval for this type): general rule: bags must fit under the seat; over 22 x 14 x 9 in prohibited; all bags x-rayed. Check with the venue before you travel. |
Games, concerts and other events
The prohibited-items list may vary by event, so check the event's own page before you go. Some events are marked 'device free'.
- At events marked device free, small devices go in Yondr pouches; laptops and tablets are received and stored onsite. Tickets for device-free events must be printed at home; onsite scanning help is available for anyone who cannot print.
- Costumes are allowed with limits: full-face coverings only after clearing security (removed on request), full face paint only if features stay visible, and large costumes/headpieces and fake weapons are not permitted.
Exceptions and accessibility
The page does not list a bag exemption. People with additional needs are told to contact Guest Relations at 212-465-6225, and outside food or drink may be allowed for a medical need through the same office.
- Only service animals are permitted inside; the venue suggests contacting Accessibility Services (888-609-7599) beforehand, and some seating areas provide dedicated space for service animals.
If your bag is not allowed
The Garden does not provide an area to check bags, coats or other personal belongings.
Entry, gates and re-entry
Your digital ticket shows the recommended entrance, and all bags are x-rayed. Device-free events use printed tickets as described in the event section.
- Screening asks guests to empty pockets (keys, wallets, phones) and to remove hats, sunglasses and facial coverings such as ski masks before entering the screening area.
- At events not designated device free, entry is by digital ticket shown on a smartphone; more than one ticket can be displayed on the same phone, and tickets should be downloaded before arrival.
Re-entry: All exits are final. You cannot leave and re-enter.
What you can bring
- Phones are not treated as recording devices, so they are allowed in; the audio/visual recording-device ban excludes phones except at events designated device free.
- At events not marked device free, laptops and tablets may come in if the bag is no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 in and fits under the seat; there is no onsite storage for them at those events.
What is not allowed
- Weapons of every kind are banned, specifically including firearms, tasers/stun guns and knives of any size, plus mace and pepper spray.
- Also on the not-permitted list: laser pointers, fireworks, aerosol cans, drones, hoverboards and skateboards, balls and frisbees, and noisemakers such as cowbells, alarm devices and airhorns.
- Signs, banners and flags are on the list of items not permitted inside the Garden.
- Offensive clothing or signs (explicit or inciting language, profanity, derogatory content aimed at any person) are not allowed in.
- The prohibited-items list is stated as non-exhaustive and may vary by event, so the page tells guests to check the specific event page.
Other things to know
Collapsible strollers that fit under your seat are allowed. Video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, audio recorders and professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses are not allowed, and neither is outside food or drink.
- For most events children under 2 can enter without their own ticket if seated on a lap; some family shows require a ticket for every child over 1.
- Accessible water fountains are listed near sections 101, 103, 111, 114, 117, 208, 217 and 221.
What the venue's page does not say
- A separate clutch or small-bag size rule.
- Backpacks by name (the size limit applies to bags in general).
- Gate opening times.
- A bag exemption for diaper or medical bags (guests with additional needs are pointed to Guest Relations instead).
We do not guess. Where the page is silent, we say so and suggest checking with the venue.
From the venue's page
The page states: “Bags do not have to be clear, but they must fit comfortably under your seat.” (source)
Spot something out of date?
Policies change. If this page differs from what you were told at the door or from the venue's page, tell us with a link and the date. We re-check and fix the page, and the fix goes in the change log below.
Where other sources differ
Other sources differ: some say backpacks are banned at the Garden. The venue's page has no backpack-specific rule, so we only report what the page states.
Change log
- : first verified against the venue's page.
- : added gates, allowed and prohibited items, bag check and exceptions from the venue's other guide pages.
- : updated source facts and source-bound bag-type answers.
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Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Madison Square Garden or its teams. Rules can change for specific events; always check the venue's page before you go. Venue security makes the final call at the gate. Venue, team and sponsor names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the venue.