Soldier Field Bag Policy and Storage Rules

Soldier Field sits along Chicago’s Museum Campus on the shores of Lake Michigan. It’s one of the most historic sports venues in the United States. The stadium opened in 1924. Since then, it has hosted countless memorable events—NFL games, major concerts, and international soccer matches. Home to the Chicago Bears, Soldier Field mixes rich tradition with modern amenities. It’s a must-visit for sports fans and tourists alike. If you’re planning a visit, storage options are available near the stadium. They can make your experience much more comfortable.

As a visitor, you’ll see impressive neoclassical colonnades that honor American soldiers. There’s a natural-grass playing field and breathtaking views of the Chicago skyline. The stadium hosts NFL games during football season, plus special events, concerts, and college football matchups. Beyond the action on the field, you’ll find various dining options, team stores, and interactive experiences celebrating Chicago sports. Whether you’re attending a game or just exploring the area, understanding the stadium’s policies helps you make the most of your visit.

Soldier Field Bag Policy

Before heading to Soldier Field, learn about the venue’s strict bag policy. It’s designed to enhance security and speed up entry for all guests. The stadium follows the NFL’s clear bag policy for all events, which limits what you can bring inside. Understanding these restrictions ahead of time saves you from disappointment at the gates. It ensures a smooth entry process.

Types of Bags Allowed

Soldier Field permits only specific types of bags. They must meet strict size and transparency requirements. Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags that don’t exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches are allowed. This includes clear backpacks, clear fanny packs, and clear cinch bags that meet the size limit. No buckles, hardware, or decoration can conceal any part of the bag.

The stadium also permits one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags with a Ziploc or similar closure. Small non-clear bags are acceptable too, provided they measure no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap. These may be brought into the stadium along with an approved clear bag.

Medical bags or kits are permitted but will be searched at the gate. Regular diaper bags are not permitted; diapers must be carried in an approved clear bag.

Types of Bags Not Allowed

Bags that do not meet the approved guidelines are prohibited. This includes briefcases, non-clear backpacks, luggage, computer bags, and non-clear bags larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

Clear backpacks, clear fanny packs, and clear cinch bags are permitted if they meet the 12" x 6" x 12" limit, but non-clear versions must comply with the small-bag size restriction. Coolers and ice chests, including soft-sided coolers, are also prohibited unless an applicable medical exception is approved.

Arriving with a non-compliant bag may mean using an event-specific storage option if one is available, returning it to your vehicle, or finding alternative storage nearby.

Soldier Field Lockers

Soldier Field does not advertise permanent general-admission lockers as a universal service for every event. However, some events provide paid bag lockers at the 18th Street Turnaround for items that are not permitted inside the stadium.

Locker availability and fees can vary by event, so check the official page for your specific game, concert, or other event before relying on this option.

If storage is not offered for your event, several third-party services operate near the Museum Campus and downtown Chicago. They offer convenient places to store your belongings while you enjoy the event. These options typically allow you to book in advance, drop off your items at a nearby business or designated location, and retrieve them after the event concludes.

Soldier Field Transportation

Getting to Soldier Field is relatively straightforward. Chicago’s extensive public transportation network and various other travel options make it accessible. The stadium’s location along the lakefront means you can reach it from multiple directions, whether you’re staying downtown or coming from the suburbs.

Public transportation offers one of the most convenient and cost-effective ways to reach the stadium. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provides several options for getting to Soldier Field. The CTA Red, Orange, and Green Lines all stop at Roosevelt Station, which is about three-quarters of a mile from the stadium entrance. The 146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express also connects Roosevelt Station with the stadium entrance on McFetridge Drive.

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the 130 Museum Campus bus provides service from downtown Metra stations to Soldier Field, Adler Planetarium, and Northerly Island. Visitors coming from the South Side or southern suburbs can also use Metra’s 18th Street Station, which is within walking distance of Soldier Field. Check current CTA and Metra schedules before traveling.

Driving and parking is another option, though it requires advance planning due to high demand on event days. Soldier Field has several parking facilities on the Museum Campus, including the Waldron Deck and other stadium-controlled lots. Event-day parking can be purchased in advance, and rates depend on the event and parking location. Arriving early is important, particularly for popular games and concerts. Traffic can be heavy both before and after events, so allow extra travel time.

Rideshare and taxi services provide flexible alternatives for visitors who prefer door-to-door convenience. For events, the official rideshare drop-off area is at the 18th Street turnaround west of Soldier Field and DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Post-event rideshare pickup is at S. Columbus Drive and E. Balbo Drive for approximately the first hour after the event, after which pickup can resume on the stadium campus. Event-specific traffic arrangements can vary, so check the latest information before your visit.

Soldier Field Camera Policy

Visitors can generally bring still cameras to Soldier Field, but there are important restrictions regarding the equipment allowed. Under the stadium’s general prohibited-items policy, cameras with lenses longer than 6 inches when fully extended are not permitted.

Video or movie cameras are prohibited, as are poles of any kind, including selfie sticks. Event organizers may impose additional restrictions. Some concerts, for example, prohibit professional cameras, detachable lenses, GoPros, audio recording equipment, tripods, or monopods even when the stadium’s general policy is less restrictive.

Always check the page for your specific event before bringing camera equipment. If you’re unsure whether your equipment complies with the rules, a smartphone is usually the simplest option.

Soldier Field Food Policy

Food rules depend partly on the event. For Chicago Bears games, food for personal consumption is permitted as long as the container complies with the NFL Bag Policy.

However, alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles, and other beverage containers are prohibited from being brought into Soldier Field. Coolers and ice chests are also prohibited. This means visitors should not rely on being allowed to bring a standard plastic water bottle into the stadium.

Concerts and other special events may impose stricter food and beverage rules, including a complete ban on outside food and drinks. Check the specific event page before arriving, particularly if you have dietary or medical requirements.

Inside Soldier Field, you’ll find a wide variety of concessions, including traditional stadium food and Chicago-inspired options. Soldier Field is also a cashless venue, with major credit and debit cards accepted at points of sale.

Other Soldier Field Rules & Information

Beyond bags and cameras, Soldier Field enforces several additional rules that visitors should know before arriving. Prohibited items include weapons of any kind, including firearms. Noisemakers such as horns and whistles are not allowed. Laser pointers, drones, fireworks, smoke bombs, and objects considered dangerous or disruptive are also prohibited.

Clothing or signage with offensive or vulgar language or that blocks another fan’s view is prohibited. Poles of any kind, including flagpoles and selfie sticks, are not permitted. Individual events may impose additional restrictions on banners, flags, and signs.

The stadium has specific policies regarding appropriate behavior. Smoking, including cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping, and smokeless tobacco, is prohibited throughout Soldier Field. The stadium also enforces a code of conduct that prohibits unruly or disruptive behavior, excessive intoxication, abusive language, throwing objects, and other conduct that creates an unsafe environment.

Re-entry is not permitted. Once your ticket has been scanned and you leave the venue, you generally cannot enter again. A specific exception exists for guests with service animals who need to use the designated relief area.

Accessibility services are available throughout Soldier Field for guests with disabilities. The stadium offers wheelchair-accessible and companion seating, ADA-accessible elevators and restrooms, wheelchair ushering, and complimentary hearing-assistance devices. Service animals and service animals in training that assist guests with disabilities are permitted. Animals whose sole function is emotional support or companionship do not qualify as service animals and are not permitted.

Tips for Visitors

Before your visit, take time to check the official Soldier Field website for the most current information regarding policies, prohibited items, and event-specific guidelines. Stadium rules can change, and some concerts and special events have additional restrictions beyond the general venue policy. The website also provides information about parking, transportation, gate opening times, and event-specific entry requirements.

One of the smartest strategies for hassle-free entry is to bring an approved clear bag or a small non-clear bag that meets the size requirements. Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags can measure up to 12" x 6" x 12", while small non-clear bags must be no larger than 4.5" x 6.5". Clear backpacks, clear fanny packs, and clear cinch bags are permitted when they meet the clear-bag requirements.

Don’t let oversized bags complicate your visit—use Qeepl luggage storage near Soldier Field to store your belongings while you enjoy the game. If you’re coming to Chicago as a tourist or arriving directly from work with a backpack or laptop bag, arranging storage in advance can save you from being delayed at the entrance. Storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000.

FAQ

Can you bring a bag to Soldier Field?

Yes, but only approved types. Soldier Field follows the NFL’s clear bag policy for all events. You can bring clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags up to 12" x 6" x 12", including clear backpacks, clear fanny packs, and clear cinch bags. One-gallon clear freezer bags are also permitted. Small non-clear bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are allowed as well.

How strict is the Soldier Field bag policy?

Soldier Field enforces its bag policy at entry points, and all permitted bags are subject to inspection. Bags that do not comply with the clear-bag or small-bag requirements can be refused. Some events provide paid bag lockers at the 18th Street Turnaround, but availability can vary, so check your specific event page before relying on storage at the stadium.

What size purse can you take to the bears game?

A small non-clear purse or clutch can measure no more than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap. Larger bags must meet the approved clear-bag requirements of no more than 12" x 6" x 12".

Are crossbody bags allowed in stadiums?

Policies vary by stadium. At Soldier Field, a non-clear crossbody bag can be brought in if it measures no more than 4.5" x 6.5". A larger crossbody-style bag would need to be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and stay within the 12" x 6" x 12" clear-bag limit.

Do I need a clear bag for a baseball game?

Baseball stadiums set their own bag policies, so the rules vary by venue. Soldier Field is not a baseball stadium, but for events at Soldier Field, the NFL clear bag policy applies. Approved clear bags can measure up to 12" x 6" x 12", while small non-clear bags up to 4.5" x 6.5" are also permitted.