Nationals Park Bag Policy

Last updated on November 14th, 2023 at 02:41 pm

Nationals Park is the MLB home of the Washington Nationals at 1500 S Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20003. The bag policy at Nationals Park is that the bag needs to be a clear and plastic bag that does not exceed 16” x 16” x 8”. That includes clear tote bags, gallon-sided zip lock bags, freezer bags, and any other see-through bag. Along with that, fans can bring in a small clutch bag that does not exceed 5” x 7.75” is acceptable inside the ballpark.

 

Here is the Nationals Park bag policy for your next baseball game or event. 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

Here are some approved bags to bring into the MLB ballpark that comply with the Nationals’ Park bag policy. 

 

• A clear bag not exceeding the size of 16” x 16” x 8”
• A small purse / small clutches
• An ADA-approved bag
• A clear fanny pack
• A medical bag
• A diaper bag

 

My Clear Bag Recommendation + My Experience

I went to National Park in 2021 and brought my clear fanny pack with me. I had no issues getting that bag through security since it measures 11″ x 6.5″ x 5.9″ in size. For the most part, the security team asked to review my bag and did a metal detector screening on it before giving it back to me. I highly recommend bringing a clear fanny pack to National Park if you only want to bring a small bag to the game. Also, I’ve brought this same bag to other venues (MLS, NFL, College Football), and have never had a problem getting it through the bag check.

 

Below is a video of me explaining why I recommend bringing a clear fanny pack to games.

 

 

Buy a clear bag for your next stadium visit!

 

How Does Nationals Park Review Your Bag?

Any fan entering Nationals Park for a baseball game or other event will go through a metal detector. If you have a bag, the security team will review it to ensure it complies with their bag policy. The security team will also inspect the items inside to ensure they are not on the list of prohibited items. If there are any issues with your bag, you can rent a locker to store your stuff at the stadium.

 

What Items Can’t You Bring into Nationals Park?

There is an extensive list of items you can’t bring into Nationals Park for a baseball game or other event. Below are some of the most common things the stadium security staff won’t allow you to bring into the venue. However, fans should visit the official policy guide before their next game to ensure the rules don’t change.

 

• Soft-sided coolers / hard-sided coolers
• Drawstring bags (ones that are not clear)
• Computer bags
• Backpacks
• Camera Bags
• Metal or glassware
• Animals not for ADA reasons
• Drones
• Weapons of any kind
• Skateboards
• Brooms

 

What Should You Do If Your Bag Is Too Big to Enter National Park?

If your bag is too big to enter Nationals Park or you have items inside it that can’t enter the stadium, there are lockers for you to put your belongings inside. The lockers at the stadium are at the Home Plate Gate and Right Field Gate. Nationals fans will need to download the Binbox app to get access to these lockers.

 

If the lockers at the stadium are sold out, especially for big games like an opening day or a playoff match, you can see if any nearby bars or hotels will hold onto your belongings. Most bars and hotels charge a small fee to hold onto your stuff while you are at the baseball stadium.

 

When I went to Nationals Park in 2019, I got a nearby hotel to hold onto my stuff without any issues. They tagged my bag and put it into a storage area for a few dollars.

 

Additional Helpful Links

Check out the Parking at Nationals Park guide to learn more.

 

 Check out the Food at Nationals Park guide to see what you can get at the stadium.