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Can You Bring a Camera Into NBA Arenas? Rules at Each Venue

Of the 30 NBA arenas we have verified for cameras, 30 allow them with limits. Rules can change by event, so check the event page for your date too. Each venue below shows its own rule, the official page it comes from and the date we read it.

Last updated

At a glance

NBA Arenas compared
30
State a rule
30
Last check
Oct 4, 2026

How the verified NBA arenas treat cameras

Allowed with limits: Madison Square Garden, United Center, Toyota Center, Fiserv Forum, Kaseya Center, Chase Center, Crypto.com Arena, TD Garden, Scotiabank Arena, Barclays Center, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Ball Arena, Capital One Arena and State Farm Arena and 16 more.

A verdict here is a summary of the venue's own wording, and the rows below give that wording. Rules can change by event, so a game and a concert at the same venue can differ. See the cameras guide for how every kind of venue treats them.

What each of the 30 NBA arenas says

Each row is the venue's own rule, with the official page it came from and the date we read it.

Camera

  • American Airlines CenterConditional

    Non-professional, non-flash still photography is permitted at most events with phones and cameras that have no interchangeable or telephoto lens. Video cameras, selfie sticks, GoPros, monopods, tripods and cameras with telephoto or interchangeable lenses are never permitted.

    American Airlines Center arena FAQ page, checked

  • Ball ArenaConditional

    Personal point-and-shoot cameras are welcome. Cameras with telephoto or detachable lenses, lenses longer than 4 inches and external flashes are not, and neither is video recording on any device or live streaming.

    Ball Arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • Barclays CenterConditional

    Professional camera equipment, meaning detachable lenses, lenses greater than 3 inches, external flashes, monopods, bipods and tripods, is prohibited, and so are audio and video recording devices.

    Barclays Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Capital One ArenaConditional

    For Capitals, Wizards and Georgetown games, point-and-shoot and SLR type cameras are allowed. For concerts, SLR cameras, detachable lenses, professional-style cameras and video cameras are not. Video recording is strictly prohibited.

    Capital One Arena policies page, checked

  • Chase CenterConditional

    Cameras with telephoto or detachable lenses and external flashes are not allowed. Other cameras cannot have a lens longer than 3 inches when extended. Some events ban all cameras.

    Chase Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Crypto.com ArenaConditional

    Non-professional, non-flash still photography is allowed at most events, with cameras that have no interchangeable or telephoto lens. Some events ban cameras of any type at the artist's or team's request.

    Crypto.com Arena general information and FAQ page, checked

  • Delta CenterConditional

    Only small instamatic or digital cameras no larger than 3 x 4 x 1 inches, with lenses that extend no more than 1 inch, are allowed. Professional or interchangeable-lens cameras and all audio and video recording devices are prohibited, and no camera bags are allowed.

    Delta Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • FedExForumConditional

    Only small personal still cameras with a 3 inch lens or smaller may come in, and detachable lenses are not permitted. Video, audio and professional camera and recording devices are prohibited, and for certain events no cameras are allowed.

    FedExForum know before you go page, checked

  • Fiserv ForumConditional

    Non-professional cameras are allowed unless management says otherwise. Flash photography, interchangeable or detachable lenses and lenses longer than 3.5 inches, zoom included, are prohibited.

    Fiserv Forum A-Z guide, checked

  • Frost Bank CenterConditional

    For Spurs games and concerts, cameras with detachable lenses, lenses longer than 3 inches and all video cameras are prohibited.

    Frost Bank Center bag policy page, checked

  • Gainbridge FieldhouseConditional

    Non-professional still cameras are allowed at Pacers and Fever games, with lenses under 6 inches. Video cameras and tripods are not allowed. For concerts and non-NBA or WNBA events, any detachable lens or one extending over 1 inch is generally prohibited.

    Gainbridge Fieldhouse prohibited items page, checked

  • Golden 1 CenterConditional

    No professional or commercial cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are allowed. Audio and visual recording devices such as GoPros, Google Glass and Spectacles are prohibited.

    Golden 1 Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Intuit DomeConditional

    Professional cameras with interchangeable lenses, GoPros, monopods, tripods, selfie sticks and interchangeable flash are not permitted. Audio and video recording is prohibited unless the event approves it.

    Intuit Dome A-Z guide, checked

  • Kaseya CenterConditional

    For Miami HEAT home games, small Instamatic and digital cameras with fixed or detachable lenses no longer than 6 inches are welcome. Still cameras at concerts and other events are decided event by event.

    Kaseya Center A-Z guide, checked

  • Kia CenterConditional

    Non-flash still cameras are allowed at sporting events, but cameras with detachable lenses longer than 3 inches are prohibited. For concerts and other events, any detachable lens, lenses over 3 inches and flash are prohibited, and video and audio recorders are not allowed.

    Kia Center policies and procedures page, checked

  • Little Caesars ArenaConditional

    Cameras without detachable lenses larger than 8 inches are permitted. Professional or commercial cameras with interchangeable lenses larger than 8 inches, and audio or visual recording devices such as GoPros, are prohibited.

    Little Caesars Arena prohibited items and entry policies page, checked

  • Madison Square GardenConditional

    Video cameras, audio recording devices and professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses are not permitted. Phones are not counted as recording devices.

    Madison Square Garden FAQs page, checked

  • Moda CenterConditional

    Non-professional cameras without detachable lenses, and no SLR or DSLR cameras, are permitted if no flash is used. Professional photography, video and audio recording are strictly prohibited.

    Rose Quarter venue guide (A-Z), checked

  • Mortgage Matchup CenterConditional

    Professional camera equipment is not permitted at any event. For sporting events, flash photography and extended recording or livestreaming are prohibited, but guests may take photos and brief clips from their seat if they do not disturb others.

    Mortgage Matchup Center policies and rules page, checked

  • Paycom CenterConditional

    Cameras with professional, interchangeable or detachable lenses, or lenses longer than 3 inches, are prohibited. Audio and video recording devices such as GoPros and Google Glass are prohibited.

    Paycom Center security policies page, checked

  • Rocket ArenaConditional

    Professional or commercial cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are not permitted, and neither are audio or video recording devices such as GoPros and smart glasses.

    Rocket Arena security policies page, checked

  • Scotiabank ArenaConditional

    Rules depend on the league and event. Flash is banned at games, and detachable lenses are banned at Raptors games. At Maple Leafs games non-flash photos are fine with a lens no longer than 75 mm. GoPros and selfie sticks are banned.

    Scotiabank Arena FAQ page, checked

  • Smoothie King CenterConditional

    Camera and recording rules depend on the event, so the guide sends guests to the event page. Video and audio recording devices such as GoPros and Google Glass are prohibited.

    Smoothie King Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Spectrum CenterConditional

    Guests may generally use cameras for personal, noncommercial still photography. Detachable lenses, professional equipment and lighting may be restricted or prohibited, and recording devices such as GoPros and smart glasses are not allowed.

    Spectrum Center A-Z guide, checked

  • State Farm ArenaConditional

    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.

    State Farm Arena prohibited items page, checked

  • Target CenterConditional

    As a general rule, video cameras and still cameras with detachable lenses, or lenses of 3 inches or longer, are prohibited. The policy varies by event, and camera cases are prohibited.

    Target Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • TD GardenConditional

    Small point-and-shoot and disposable cameras with an optical zoom of 5x or less are allowed. Digital SLR cameras, professional cameras and cameras with detachable lenses are not. At concerts the promoter can deny any camera.

    TD Garden policies page, checked

  • Toyota CenterConditional

    Professional cameras are prohibited unless you have a media credential. Cameras with lenses up to 4 inches long and no flash may be allowed for some events. Video cameras and audio recorders need approval, so call ahead.

    Toyota Center A-Z guide, checked

  • United CenterConditional

    At sporting events, non-flash still cameras are fine if they do not block anyone's view. At concerts and other events, professional cameras and video or audio recorders are not allowed.

    United Center FAQ page, checked

  • Xfinity Mobile ArenaConditional

    Professional equipment, detachable lenses and lenses longer than 2.5 inches are not permitted. Video and audio recording devices, GoPros and Contour cameras are not permitted either, and each event sets its own camera policy.

    Xfinity Mobile Arena security policy page, checked

Detachable lens

  • American Airlines CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with telephoto or interchangeable lenses are not permitted at any time.

    American Airlines Center arena FAQ page, checked

  • Ball ArenaNot allowed

    Interchangeable or detachable lenses, and cameras with lenses longer than four inches, are prohibited.

    Ball Arena prohibited items page, checked

  • Barclays CenterNot allowed

    Detachable lenses and lenses greater than 3 inches are prohibited.

    Barclays Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Capital One ArenaNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Capital One Arena policies page, checked

  • Chase CenterNot allowed

    Lenses over 3 inches long are prohibited, and so are telephoto and interchangeable lenses.

    Chase Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Crypto.com ArenaNot allowed

    Cameras with telephoto or interchangeable lenses are professional equipment and are not permitted at any time.

    Crypto.com Arena general information and FAQ page, checked

  • Delta CenterNot allowed

    Professional and commercial cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are prohibited.

    Delta Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • FedExForumNot allowed

    Detachable lenses are not permitted, and a lens cannot be longer than 3 inches.

    FedExForum know before you go page, checked

  • Fiserv ForumNot allowed

    Lenses longer than 3.5 inches, including through zoom, and detachable or interchangeable lenses are prohibited.

    Fiserv Forum A-Z guide, checked

  • Frost Bank CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with detachable lenses or lenses longer than 3 inches are prohibited.

    Frost Bank Center bag policy page, checked

  • Gainbridge FieldhouseNot allowed

    Cameras with a detachable lens longer than 6 inches, large lenses or lenses that extend more than 2 inches are prohibited at Pacers and Fever games.

    Gainbridge Fieldhouse prohibited items page, checked

  • Golden 1 CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are not allowed.

    Golden 1 Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Intuit DomeNot allowed

    Professional or commercial cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses are not permitted.

    Intuit Dome A-Z guide, checked

  • Kaseya CenterConditional

    Lenses up to 6 inches are fine for HEAT games, and the guide asks for only one lens. Professional camera equipment and auxiliary lenses are prohibited.

    Kaseya Center A-Z guide, checked

  • Kia CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with detachable lenses longer than 3 inches when extended are prohibited at sporting events, and any detachable lens is prohibited at concerts.

    Kia Center policies and procedures page, checked

  • Little Caesars ArenaConditional

    Interchangeable or detachable lenses larger than eight inches are prohibited.

    Little Caesars Arena prohibited items and entry policies page, checked

  • Madison Square GardenNot allowed

    Professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses are not permitted inside the Garden.

    Madison Square Garden FAQs page, checked

  • Moda CenterNot allowed

    Only cameras without detachable lenses are permitted.

    Rose Quarter venue guide (A-Z), checked

  • Mortgage Matchup CenterNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Mortgage Matchup Center policies and rules page, checked

  • Paycom CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses, or lenses over 3 inches long, are prohibited.

    Paycom Center security policies page, checked

  • Rocket ArenaNot allowed

    Any professional or commercial camera with interchangeable or detachable lenses is not permitted.

    Rocket Arena security policies page, checked

  • Scotiabank ArenaConditional

    NBA policy at Raptors games bans cameras with detachable lenses. NHL policy at Maple Leafs games allows non-flash photography with a lens up to 75 mm. Concert rules vary by event.

    Scotiabank Arena FAQ page, checked

  • Smoothie King CenterNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Smoothie King Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Spectrum CenterNot stated

    The pages do not mention camera lenses.

    Spectrum Center A-Z guide, checked

  • State Farm ArenaNot allowed

    Interchangeable or detachable lenses, and fixed lenses larger than 3 inches, are prohibited.

    State Farm Arena prohibited items page, checked

  • Target CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with detachable or interchangeable lenses, or lenses of 3 inches or longer, are prohibited as a general rule.

    Target Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • TD GardenNot allowed

    Any camera with a detachable lens is prohibited.

    TD Garden policies page, checked

  • Toyota CenterConditional

    Lenses not exceeding 4 inches, with no flash, may be allowed for some events.

    Toyota Center A-Z guide, checked

  • United CenterNot allowed

    Cameras with detachable lenses are on the prohibited list, so a camera with a removable lens does not get in.

    United Center FAQ page, checked

  • Xfinity Mobile ArenaNot allowed

    Detachable lenses and lenses longer than 2.5 inches are not permitted.

    Xfinity Mobile Arena security policy page, checked

Tripod

  • American Airlines CenterNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, monopods and tripods are not permitted at any time.

    American Airlines Center arena FAQ page, checked

  • Ball ArenaNot allowed

    Monopods, bipods, tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Ball Arena prohibited items page, checked

  • Barclays CenterNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and bipods are prohibited, and so are selfie sticks and poles.

    Barclays Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Capital One ArenaNot allowed

    Monopods, tripods, poles and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Capital One Arena policies page, checked

  • Chase CenterNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods, bipods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Chase Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Crypto.com ArenaNot allowed

    Tripods and monopods are not permitted inside the arena at any time.

    Crypto.com Arena general information and FAQ page, checked

  • Delta CenterNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Delta Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • FedExForumNot allowed

    Tripods, poles and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    FedExForum know before you go page, checked

  • Fiserv ForumNot allowed

    Monopods, tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Fiserv Forum A-Z guide, checked

  • Frost Bank CenterNot allowed

    Poles or rods of any kind, selfie sticks included, are prohibited.

    Frost Bank Center bag policy page, checked

  • Gainbridge FieldhouseNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Gainbridge Fieldhouse prohibited items page, checked

  • Golden 1 CenterNot allowed

    Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are prohibited.

    Golden 1 Center prohibited items page, checked

  • Intuit DomeNot allowed

    Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are prohibited.

    Intuit Dome A-Z guide, checked

  • Kaseya CenterNot allowed

    Tripods and monopods are strictly prohibited at all times, and so are selfie sticks.

    Kaseya Center A-Z guide, checked

  • Kia CenterNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and GoPro sticks are prohibited.

    Kia Center policies and procedures page, checked

  • Little Caesars ArenaNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Little Caesars Arena prohibited items and entry policies page, checked

  • Madison Square GardenNot allowed

    Tripods and monopods are not permitted.

    Madison Square Garden FAQs page, checked

  • Moda CenterNot allowed

    Tripods and selfie sticks are strictly prohibited.

    Rose Quarter venue guide (A-Z), checked

  • Mortgage Matchup CenterNot allowed

    Selfie sticks are prohibited, and professional camera equipment is not permitted.

    Mortgage Matchup Center policies and rules page, checked

  • Paycom CenterNot allowed

    Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are prohibited.

    Paycom Center security policies page, checked

  • Rocket ArenaNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, poles, tripods and monopods are prohibited.

    Rocket Arena security policies page, checked

  • Smoothie King CenterNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, poles and sticks are prohibited.

    Smoothie King Center A to Z guide, checked

  • Spectrum CenterNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are on the prohibited items list.

    Spectrum Center A-Z guide, checked

  • State Farm ArenaNot allowed

    Poles, selfie sticks, tripods and monopods are prohibited, and so are selfie lights.

    State Farm Arena prohibited items page, checked

  • Target CenterNot allowed

    Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited.

    Target Center arena policies and FAQ page, checked

  • TD GardenNot allowed

    Tripods and monopods are on the prohibited list.

    TD Garden policies page, checked

  • Toyota CenterNot stated

    The pages do not name tripods. Selfie sticks are on the prohibited list.

    Toyota Center A-Z guide, checked

  • United CenterNot allowed

    Tripods and other photography equipment cannot be used or placed anywhere in the building without building-issued media credentials.

    United Center FAQ page, checked

  • Xfinity Mobile ArenaNot allowed

    Monopods, tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

    Xfinity Mobile Arena security policy page, checked

Selfie stick

  • Crypto.com ArenaNot allowed

    Selfie sticks are not permitted inside the arena at any time.

    Crypto.com Arena general information and FAQ page, checked

  • Madison Square GardenNot allowed

    Selfie sticks are not permitted. The prohibited list groups them with tripods, poles and monopods.

    Madison Square Garden FAQs page, checked

  • Scotiabank ArenaNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, gimbals included, are on the prohibited list.

    Scotiabank Arena FAQ page, checked

  • TD GardenNot allowed

    Selfie sticks, and any stick or pole of any size, are on the prohibited list.

    TD Garden policies page, checked

  • United CenterNot allowed

    Selfie sticks and light attachments are not allowed inside the arena.

    United Center FAQ page, checked

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Questions about cameras at NBA arenas

  1. It depends on the venue. Of the 30 NBA arenas we have verified, 30 state a rule for cameras, and the rows above show each one with its source.

  2. None of the 30 NBA arenas we have verified bans cameras outright on the pages we read. Several set limits, so read the row for your venue.

  3. Often. The venues we have verified say rules can change by event, so check the event page for your date and the venue page linked above.

Sources for this page

Every rule above comes from one of these official pages. They open in a new tab.

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Not affiliated with any venue. Always confirm with the venue for your event. How we verify