The O2 Entry Rules: Bags, Water, Food, Chargers and Cameras

The O2 asks you to think about whether you need a bag at all, and it does not allow large bags into the arena for security reasons. You can take one bag per person, no bigger than A4 size. The arena counts small bags as A4 size or smaller, or standard handbags.

Backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags, camera bags and large tote bags are not permitted inside the arena. Tote bags bought at the arena's official merchandise outlets are allowed, and they are searched. All bags are searched and screened.

• One bag per person
• No bigger than A4 size, or a standard handbag
• No backpacks, travel cases, laptop bags, camera bags or large totes
• Large bags go to bag storage

Food and drink bought outside the arena cannot be taken inside, and glass, cans, plastic bottle tops and alcohol are banned. Finish any food and drink before you enter the arena itself. If you need to bring food or drink for religious or medical reasons, email the arena before the event.

You are welcome to bring an empty crushable bottle, and it has to be empty at security. The lid may be taken off you. Tap water is free at any food and drink outlet, and there are refill stations on the ground floor, on level 1 outside blocks 101 and 112, and on level 4 outside blocks 405 and 417.

Small personal cameras are fine to bring in, but turn the flash off. Larger SLR and SLR-like cameras, GoPros and professional equipment with a detachable lens are not allowed. Some events have a total ban on cameras, including items with a camera function such as phones and watches, and your ticket or event page says so.

Laptops, iPads, GoPros and similar devices, and selfie sticks, are listed as not allowed. The security page is gentler on laptops: it allows them at events if the laptop bag fits the bag policy and the laptop is not used inside. It bans them at sporting events. You can bring a USB charger for your phone.

Pushchairs are not allowed inside the arena bowl. You can store yours at the customer service desks outside block 101 on level 1 and block 410 on level 4 while you are at the event.

There is no minimum age for most events, but the arena advises against bringing very small children to anything that is not family friendly, since shows can be noisy. Ear plugs are free at the customer service desk outside block 118 on level 1, and ear defenders can be borrowed for free.

Large umbrellas are prohibited. The pages do not say how large counts as large.

The pages do not mention blankets or seat cushions. Anything you bring has to fit your one bag or pass screening.

You can bring banners or posters up to A3 size, and they are checked at the entrance. For most events, large hand-held flags without poles are allowed if they do not block other guests' view. Drapes and banners are not allowed, and nothing can show inflammatory or offensive wording or be made of hard material such as wood.

Flagpoles, horns, whistles, drums, large inflatables, fireworks, confetti, glitter bombs, balloons, wheeled footwear, helmets and full face masks are prohibited.

Medical equipment such as EpiPens is also checked as part of screening, by a medical or security team member. The pages do not describe a separate size limit for medical bags.

Assistance dogs and service dogs are the only animals allowed in the arena.

Searching is a condition of entry. Everyone goes through the arena's intelligent security screening system, which the arena says is safe for people with a pacemaker or who are pregnant. Keep bags and coats on you, and only take items from your pockets if security asks.

You may be sent to a search table for a further search. Arrive early, because the screening can take time.

If you need to bring a large bag, you leave it at the bag storage facility just outside the main entrance, for 10 pounds per bag. An American Express card gets you a free bag drop in the Amex cardmember lane. All bags are searched and screened before they are accepted, and bag storage closes one hour after show down.

The arena can prohibit any item on its list and any item the artist or their management asks it to. Camera rules in particular come from the event promoter, and some events ban cameras of any kind or flags of any size.

Laptops are not permitted at sporting events or at events using a phone-lock pouch policy. Check your event page and pre-event emails for the rules on your date.