ArenaNew York, NYEvents at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden Entry Rules: Bags, Water and Food
Checked Source: Madison Square Garden FAQs page (msg.com, opens in a new tab)Verified by BC
Short answer
Madison Square Garden allows bags up to 22 by 14 by 9 inches that fit comfortably under your seat, and they do not have to be clear. Every bag is x-rayed, and there is no bag check. Outside food and drinks, tripods, professional cameras, signs and flags are not allowed.
Every rule at Madison Square Garden
An item that is not listed is not mentioned in the official pages we checked. Each row links to the page its rule came from.
Bag policy in detail
Madison Square Garden asks all guests to arrive early and travel light. Bags do not have to be clear, but they must fit comfortably under your seat.
Bags larger than 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches are prohibited. Every bag, whatever its size, is screened with x-ray technology.
The Garden does not provide an area to check bags, coats or other belongings. If you or someone in your group has additional needs, contact Guest Relations at 212-465-6225.
- Any style of bag, clear or not
- Up to 22 x 14 x 9 inches and small enough for under your seat
- Every bag is x-rayed
- No bag check or coat check
Food and drink
Outside food and beverage are not permitted inside the Garden, and that includes alcohol. Plan to buy food and drinks inside or eat beforehand.
Accessible water fountains are located throughout the venue, so you can refill a drink there if you have a way to carry water in. If you have a medical condition or specific needs that require outside food or drink, contact Guest Relations before your event.
Cameras and electronics
Video cameras, monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, audio recording devices and professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses are not permitted. The prohibited list also names action cameras and smart glasses such as GoPro and Google Glass. Phones are not counted as recording devices.
Laptops and tablets are allowed if the bag holding them fits under your seat and stays within 22 x 14 x 9 inches. There is no onsite storage for them, and the rules change for events designated as device free.
You can rent a portable phone charger at chargeFUZE stations in nine places around the Garden, with Lightning, USB-C and Micro USB cables. The FAQ does not say whether you can bring your own power bank.
Strollers and family items
Strollers are permitted, but they must be collapsible and small enough to fit comfortably under your seat. If you or someone in your group has additional needs, contact Guest Relations at 212-465-6225.
Signs, flags and fan items
Signs, banners and flags are on the prohibited list. So are noisemaking devices such as cowbells, alarm devices and airhorns, and balls and frisbees.
Costumes are permitted with some exceptions. Full-face coverings are allowed only after you clear security, and you may be asked to remove them. Full face paint is fine as long as your features stay visible. Large costumes or headpieces and fake weapons are not allowed.
Medical needs and accessibility
Only service animals are permitted inside Madison Square Garden. If you are bringing one, the Garden recommends contacting its Accessibility Services Department at 888-609-7599 before your event. Some seating locations offer dedicated space for service animals.
For medical needs that involve outside food, drink or other items, contact Guest Relations at 212-465-6225.
Security screening and arrival
The Garden asks you to plan ahead and allow enough time to pass through security. To speed things up, be ready to take everything out of your pockets, including keys, wallets and cell phones.
You will also be asked to take off hats, sunglasses and facial coverings such as costumes or ski masks before you enter the screening area.
All exits are final. Guests cannot leave and then re-enter.
Bag storage and lockers
Madison Square Garden does not provide an area to check bags, coats or any other personal belongings. Bring only what you are happy to carry in and keep under your seat.
Concerts, games and device-free events
The Garden says the list of prohibited items may vary by event, so check the event page for the show or game you are attending. The list on the FAQ page gives examples only, and security staff can refuse anything they decide is inappropriate or offensive.
Some events are designated device free. For those, the laptop and phone rules change, and the venue's Device Free Policy applies.
Prohibited items
From the official entry page. Staff can also refuse anything they decide could affect safety.
- Bags larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches
- Weapons, including firearms, tasers, stun guns and knives of all sizes
- Mace and pepper spray
- Laser pointers and other devices that can project
- Fireworks
- Aerosol cans
- Signs, banners and flags
- Noisemakers such as cowbells, alarm devices and airhorns
- Balls and frisbees
- Drones
- Hoverboards and skateboards
- Illegal substances
- Outside food and beverages, including alcohol
- Offensive clothing, including explicit, inciting or derogatory language
- Professional or commercial cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses
- Tripods, selfie sticks, poles and monopods
- Audio or video recording devices such as GoPro cameras and smart glasses
- Large costumes or headpieces and fake weapons
Questions about Madison Square Garden
No. The official FAQ says bags do not have to be clear. They do have to fit comfortably under your seat and be no larger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches, and every bag is x-rayed.
Backpacks are not named in the FAQ, so they fall under the bag rule. A backpack is fine if it fits under your seat and stays within 22 by 14 by 9 inches.
No. Outside food and beverage are not permitted. Water fountains are located around the venue, and guests with a medical need can contact Guest Relations.
No. The Garden does not provide an area to check bags, coats or other personal belongings, and there is no onsite storage for laptops either.
A personal camera is fine, but professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses are not. Video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and recording devices are also banned.
Yes, if it is collapsible and fits comfortably under your seat.
Yes, as long as the bag it is in fits under your seat and is no larger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Device-free events have different rules, so check your event page.
Sources
- Madison Square Garden | FAQs (opens in a new tab)
msg.com, read
Checked on October 4, 2026 against the sources above. Venues can change rules without notice, and rules can differ by event. Confirm with the venue for your date. Next review: October 18, 2026.
Change log
First check against the official Madison Square Garden FAQs page.
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