Last updated on November 14th, 2023 at 03:27 pm
Tropicana Field is the Major League Baseball home of the Tampa Bay Rays at 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, Florida 33705. The bag policy at the venue is that any bag or cooler larger than 16″ x8″ is not allowed inside the venue. However, smaller bags, like a diaper bag or fanny pack, is acceptable to bring into the Rays venue on gameday.
Here is the complete Tropicana Field Bag Policy at the ballpark for your next 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 of the best bags to bring into Tropicana Field to ensure you won’t get your bag turned down are below:
- A fanny pack
- Tote Bag
- Diaper Bag
- A clear fanny pack
- A purse or a similar type of bag
- A clear backpack that does not exceed the size limit of 16″ x8.”
As a note, I had a clear fanny pack at the venue and had no issues with it via security. The security team just reviewed the bag after I gave it to them and they gave it back to me.
My Clear Bag Recommendation + My Experience
I’ve been to Tropicana Field twice for games. One game I went to I brought my clear fanny pack that measures 11″ x 6.5″ x 5.9″ into the venue. I had no problems getting that through security since it is below the size limit of the stadium. I’ve also brought my clear fanny pack to other venues without any problems as well. Most venues from my experience have a similar bag policy, so having one clear bag that gets you into one place tends to get you into all of them.
Below is a video of me explaining why I recommend bringing a clear fanny pack to games.
Consider purchasing a clear plastic bag before your next visit
How Does Tropicana Field Review Your Bag?
Tropicana Field has a metal detector and security checkpoint at every gate entrance. If you don’t have a backpack, you can go through the metal detector to scan your tickets for entry at the ballpark. However, if you have a backpack, the security team will review the inside of your bag to ensure no prohibited items can’t enter the Trop.
What Items Can’t You Bring into Tropicana Field?
There are numerous items you can’t bring into the venue for a Rays game. Fans should check out the official prohibited items lists from the team to ensure the rules stay the same, but here are some of the most common items you can’t bring into the stadium.
- Glassware
- Alcohol of any kind
- Fireworks, firearms, knives, or any other type of item similar to that
- Drones
- Drugs
- Lasers
- Any item that can obstruct the view of a fan during a Rays home game
What Should You Do If Your Bag Is Too Big for the Tampa Bay Rays Venue?
If your backpack is too big or you have items that you can’t bring into the venue that you want to leave in your bag, you can see if the nearby hotels or restaurants near the stadium will hold onto your bag. Usually, a local bar or hotel can hold onto your bags for a fee while you are at the game. Prices can vary, but expect to pay around $10-20 for places to hold onto your bag while you are at the game.
At Tropicana Field in 2019, I had the Courtyard by Marriott St. Petersburg Downtown hold onto my suitcase and backpack since I was flying out after the game and had already checked out of the hotel that morning.
Additional Helpful Links
Check out the Tropicana Field Parking guide to learn more.
Check out the Tropicana Field Food Guide to see what the venue offers!
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.