Last updated on November 14th, 2023 at 10:40 am
BC Place, out at 777 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 4Y8, Canada, is home to the MLS team Vancouver Whitecaps FC and the CFL team, BC Lions. There is a clear bag policy for fans to use if they want to bring a bag into the arena for a game. Clear bags can’t be bigger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″. Exceptions to the clear bag rule include medical bags, ADA-specific bags, and small purses.
Here is the BC Place bag policy for your Canadian Football League Match or Major League Soccer game. I also share my bag recommendation on what to bring to the game. Finally, there is an affiliate link to Amazon on this page.
Approved Bags
BC Place encourages fans only to bring in clear bags into the venue, but there are exceptions to this rule. Below are some types of bags fans can bring into the soccer stadium.
- A clear plastic bag (can have straps) that does not exceed 12″ x 12″ x 6″
- A clear ziplock bag
- Small clutch purses/ belt bags
- A clear fanny pack
- Medical bags/diaper bags (Exceptions can be made for these bags at the gate. However, consider bringing a clear plastic bag for them to the game since that makes it easier to get into the venue)
My Clear Bag Recommendation + Experience
I’ve been to several venues that have the same bag policy as BC Place. From my experience, I’ve never had a problem getting my clear fanny pack through the bag check process. My clear fanny pack is 11″ x 6.5″ x 5.9″ in size, so it is far below the max size limit of BC Place. Plus, the fanny pack is clear, which means it will get through via the clear bag policy at BC Place. Finally, from a personal note, I don’t mind wearing the fanny pack at games. I don’t find the bag to be bulky, so I don’t even think about it as I walk around the venue.
Below is a video of me going into more details on this type of bag.
How Does the BC Place Staff Review Your Bag?
Fans going to the Vancouver stadium for a football/soccer match will go through a metal detector screening before scanning their ticket to enter the stadium. Fans with a bag will undergo an additional security check at the entrance gate via a bag inspection. The bag inspection reviews to ensure that the bag complies with the clear bag policy, or if it does not, like a small purse that is not clear, it is no larger than 6.5″ x 8.5″.
What Items Can’t You Bring into BC Place for a Football/Soccer Match?
If you are coming to a Whitecaps FC match, read the official prohibited items list beforehand. There are numerous items on the prohibited items list that security won’t allow you to bring into the arena with you for a game. Below are some of those items.
- Bags that exceed the size of 12″ x 12″ x 6″
- Non-compliant bags (Large purses/ pocketbooks, tinted plastic bags, not clear tote bags, backpacks, camera bags, coolers, and luggage)
- Drones
- Fireworks
- Weapons of any kind
- Outside food or drinks (Exceptions can occur with the outside food and drink rule. If you need to bring in something for medical reasons, put that into a clear plastic bag for inspection at the gate’s entrance)
Laptops - Laser pointers
Is there a Bag Check Area at BC Place for Fans to Use?
BC Place offers a bag check area for fans to use if their bag can’t enter the stadium with them. In 2023, renting out a space for your bag at the Vancouver Whitecaps stadium is $10 per item. As a note, there is a limited number of spaces at the bag check area at the stadium, so plan to arrive two hours before kickoff to ensure you can get a space for your bag if you know it can’t enter the facility. Fans can ask the arena staff where to find this bag check area if they have any questions.
If you drove to the game and can’t leave your stuff in the bag check area, consider leaving them inside your car. Leaving your bag (or prohibited items) in your vehicle is the best option since it costs no money.
Finally, if you took public transportation to BC Place and the bag check area is sold out, see if a nearby hotel can watch your stuff. There are a handful of nearby hotels to BC Place that you can see if they will hold onto your bags. Most hotels charge a small fee to hold onto your bags if they have room in their holding closet.
Additional Helpful Links
Check out the BC Place Parking guide for more details.
Check out the BC Place food guide if you want to eat and drink directly at the stadium.
Greg Kristan, owner of The Stadium Reviews, LLC and TM Blast, LLC, brings his extensive experience visiting over half of the MLB ballparks, along with numerous MLS, NHL, NBA, and NFL venues, to provide in-depth coverage on the bag policy, food options, and parking. He has also been interviewed about his experiences on several sports podcasts.