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State Farm Arena Entry Rules: Bags, Water, Food and Cameras
Checked Source: State Farm Arena bag policy page (statefarmarena.com, opens in a new tab), State Farm Arena prohibited items page (statefarmarena.com, opens in a new tab)Verified by BC
Short answer
State Farm Arena allows bags up to 14 by 14 by 6 inches, clear or not, but backpacks are banned apart from single-compartment drawstring bags. Outside food, reusable water bottles and laptops are banned. Strollers must be checked at Gate 1, and bag valet at Gate 2 charges a fee. Rules can change by event.
Every rule at State Farm Arena
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
Bags 14 x 14 x 6 inches or smaller are allowed, and the arena generally does not enforce a clear bag policy, though an event organizer may. All bags are screened. Hard-sided bags and bags above that size are prohibited. Backpacks are prohibited, apart from single-compartment drawstring bags and fashion backpack purses that meet the size limit. The bag policy page says backpacks of any size are prohibited, so the two pages are worded differently. Purses, fashion backpack purses included, are allowed if they meet the 14 x 14 x 6 inch limit. This can vary per event.
- Bags up to 14 x 14 x 6 inches
- Single-compartment drawstring bags and fashion backpack purses
- Medical and diaper bags exempt from size
- Bag valet at Gate 2 for a fee
Food and drink
Reusable water bottles and outside beverages are prohibited. Outside food or beverages are prohibited. Parents may bring plastic bottles of formula or milk inside. The pages do not mention coolers.
Cameras and electronics
Cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses, or fixed lenses larger than 3 inches, are prohibited. Some events ban fixed lenses of any size, so check your event listing. Interchangeable or detachable lenses, and fixed lenses larger than 3 inches, are prohibited. Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are prohibited, and so are selfie lights. Drones are prohibited. Laptops are not permitted unless approval is granted before the event. iPads and similarly sized tablets are permitted at Hawks games but not at non-Hawks events. The pages do not mention power banks.
Strollers and family items
Strollers are welcome inside the arena but must be checked inside Gate 1 at the Guest Service Center. Medical bags and diaper bags accompanying a child are exempt from the size requirement but are searched.
Umbrellas, blankets and comfort items
Umbrellas are named as examples of optical illusion items, which are prohibited, and the page gives no other umbrella rule. Ask before bringing one. The pages do not mention blankets and seat cushions.
Signs, flags and fan items
Banners and signs larger than 11 x 17 inches are prohibited. Items on poles or sticks of hard material, items that block views, and commercial ones are not permitted either, and sign rules can vary by event. Flags follow the sign rule: nothing over 11 x 17 inches and nothing on a pole or stick of hard material. The pages do not mention binoculars.
Medical needs and accessibility
Medical bags and diaper bags accompanying a child are exempt from the size limit but are subject to search. Parents may bring plastic bottles of formula or milk inside.
Security screening and arrival
All bags are screened. The arena prohibits lighters, vapes and fireworks, and management can add other items. Policies vary for certain events, and you can call 404-878-3000 for event-specific questions.
Bag storage and lockers
For a fee, guests with non-complying bags can use the bag valet by Gate 2, off Centennial Olympic Park Drive. It is open from 1 hour 30 minutes before the event until an hour after it ends, and items must be collected the same day.
Hawks games, concerts and other events
Both pages say bag and sign policies are subject to change based on the event. The prohibited items page names a concert with a stricter camera rule, so check your event listing.
Prohibited items
From the official entry page. Staff can also refuse anything they decide could affect safety.
- Bags larger than 14 x 14 x 6 inches, and hard-sided bags
- Backpacks, other than drawstring bags and fashion backpack purses
- Outside food or beverages
- Reusable water bottles
- Weapons and aerosol cans
- Cameras with detachable lenses or fixed lenses over 3 inches
- Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods
- Laptops without prior approval
- Drones
- Banners and signs over 11 x 17 inches
- Whistles, air horns and electric noisemakers
- Lighters, vapes and fireworks
- Beach balls, frisbees and projectiles
- Laser pointers and selfie lights
Questions about State Farm Arena
A bag 14 by 14 by 6 inches or smaller. It does not have to be clear unless your event organizer says so, and hard-sided bags are prohibited.
Mostly no. Single-compartment drawstring bags and fashion backpack purses within the size limit are allowed, and other backpacks are prohibited.
No. Reusable water bottles and outside food and beverages are prohibited, though parents may bring formula or milk in plastic bottles.
Yes, but it has to be checked inside Gate 1 at the Guest Service Center.
Yes. A bag valet by Gate 2 charges a fee and runs from 1 hour 30 minutes before the event until an hour after it ends.
At Hawks games, yes. Non-Hawks events do not allow iPads or similar tablets, and laptops need approval ahead of time.
Keep exploring
Sources
- Bag Policy: What You Need to Know | State Farm Arena (opens in a new tab)
statefarmarena.com, read
- List of Prohibited Items for a Safe and Enjoyable Experience | State Farm Arena (opens in a new tab)
statefarmarena.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: 21 rules read against the State Farm Arena bag policy and prohibited items pages.
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