StadiumCincinnati, OHCincinnati Reds home games and other Great American Ball Park events
Great American Ball Park Entry Rules: Bags, Water and Food
Checked Source: Great American Ball Park policies and procedures page (mlb.com, opens in a new tab)Verified by BC
Short answer
Great American Ball Park allows bags up to 16 by 16 by 8 inches, but backpacks and multi-pocket bags are banned unless made for medical or infant care. Soft-sided coolers with food and sealed drinks are allowed, and so are unopened soft drinks and water in clear plastic bottles. Hard-sided coolers, tripods and selfie sticks are banned.
Every rule at Great American Ball Park
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 up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches can be brought in, and bags with multiple pockets are prohibited. Small purses and food bags are allowed. Bags cannot be left unattended, and everything is inspected. Backpacks, meaning multi-pocketed bags worn on the back, are prohibited unless they are specifically designed for medical or infant care. Small purses are allowed, within the 16 x 16 x 8 inch bag size and with no multiple pockets.
- Bags up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches
- Soft-sided coolers and food
- Sealed plastic bottles
- Limited re-entry
Food and drink
Soft drinks and water are welcome in clear plastic bottles with the safety seal unbroken. Opened plastic bottles, glass, cans, and insulated foam or metal cups such as Yeti cups are not. Food bags and soft-sided coolers with food are allowed. Soft-sided coolers holding food or non-alcoholic drinks in sealed plastic bottles are allowed. Hard-sided coolers are prohibited.
Cameras and electronics
Cameras and video recorders are welcome for personal use, and game action cannot be recorded, as MLB requires. Tripods, monopods and other camera support pods are not allowed. Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks are prohibited. Drones are prohibited within the ballpark's footprint, because of an FAA temporary flight restriction for games. The page does not mention power banks. Outlets for charging phones and tablets are at the Reds Connect Zone behind section 110. The pages do not mention camera lenses, laptops and tablets.
Strollers and family items
Guests may bring their own strollers if they do not block aisles or movement and are not placed under seats. Strollers can be checked at the Fan Zone or View Level Fan Accommodation, and they may be searched. Backpacks designed specifically for medical or infant care are allowed despite the backpack ban.
Umbrellas, blankets and comfort items
The pages do not mention umbrellas, blankets and seat cushions.
Signs, flags and fan items
Baseball-themed banners and signs are welcome. They have to fold to fit the 16 x 16 x 8 inch bag size, and they cannot be derogatory, vulgar or political or block play or the batter's view. The pages do not mention flags and binoculars.
Medical needs and accessibility
Backpacks specifically designed for medical or infant care are allowed. The page describes no separate medical bag process.
Security screening and arrival
All carry-in items are subject to inspection on entry or at any time inside the ballpark. Limited re-entry is permitted through a designated gate at Gapper's Alley, with metal detection and no carry-in items. Items that cannot be thoroughly inspected can be denied entry.
Bag storage and lockers
The page describes no bag storage, other than stroller check-in at the Fan Zone or View Level Fan Accommodation.
Reds games and other events
The page is written for Reds home games. It gives no separate list for concerts or other events, so check the event page for your date.
Prohibited items
From the official entry page. Staff can also refuse anything they decide could affect safety.
- Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets
- Bags larger than 16 x 16 x 8 inches
- Hard-sided coolers
- Glass bottles, cans and opened plastic bottles
- Insulated foam or metal cups, Yeti cups included
- Alcohol
- Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks
- Drones
- Sticks, bats, poles and clubs
- Beach balls, inflatables and frisbees
- Bodysuits and masks
- Laser pens
- Noisemakers
- Pocketknives, firearms and weapons
- Explosives
- Signs that are derogatory, vulgar or political
Questions about Great American Ball Park
A bag up to 16 by 16 by 8 inches. Backpacks and bags with multiple pockets are not allowed, unless they are made for medical or infant care.
Yes. Food bags and soft-sided coolers with food and sealed drinks are allowed, and so are soft drinks and water in clear plastic bottles with the seal unbroken.
A soft-sided one, yes. Hard-sided coolers are prohibited.
Yes, with limits. You use the designated re-entry gate at Gapper's Alley, go through metal detection again and carry nothing in.
Yes, if it does not block aisles and is not placed under your seat. You can check one at the Fan Zone or View Level Fan Accommodation.
Yes, for personal use, without recording game action. Tripods and monopods are not allowed.
Keep exploring
Sources
- Great American Ball Park Policies and Procedures | Cincinnati Reds (opens in a new tab)
mlb.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 Great American Ball Park policies and procedures page.
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