The US Open allows each spectator to bring one bag measuring no more than 12in wide, 12in high and 16in long. Backpacks are prohibited, although a single-compartment drawstring bag may be accepted if it fits the size limit, and medical or disability-related bags can be reviewed by a security supervisor.
Every bag is subject to search. The policy can change, and security staff may reject an item they consider unsafe or inappropriate even when it is not named on the published list. The details below reflect the official 2026 US Open policy.
US Open Bag Size Limit
The maximum permitted dimensions are:
- Width: 12in
- Height: 12in
- Length: 16in
- Quantity: one bag per person
Measure the bag in its natural, filled shape. A soft bag that expands beyond one of those dimensions can still fail inspection.
The limit is not a clear-bag requirement. A compliant purse, tote or small single-compartment drawstring bag can be opaque, but a simpler bag is usually faster to inspect.
Most tennis racket bags and ordinary multi-compartment backpacks are unsuitable. Even a compact option from a list of the best tennis bags and backpacks should not be assumed to meet event rules without measuring it and checking its design.
What Bags Can You Bring?
| Bag or container | 2026 policy status | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Small purse or tote | Generally permitted | Must fit within 12in x 12in x 16in |
| Single-compartment drawstring bag | Permitted exception | Must fit the size limit |
| Clear bag | Permitted if compliant | Clear material is not mandatory |
| Multi-compartment backpack | Prohibited | Size alone does not make it acceptable |
| Tennis racket or full-size racket bag | Generally prohibited | Limited event and on-site purchase exceptions apply |
| Hard cooler | Prohibited | Do not bring it to the gate |
| Suitcase or oversized luggage | Not permitted | Use external paid storage |
| Medical or ADA equipment bag | Reviewed as an exception | Security may confirm the need at entry |
Do not assume that a child’s backpack is exempt. If it is not a medical exception, use a small compliant tote or drawstring bag instead.
What You Can Bring to the US Open
A short, practical packing list is safer than filling the permitted bag to its limit. Common items that fit within the policy include:
- Mobile phone with the ticket already loaded
- Wallet and identification
- Portable phone charger
- Reusable metal or plastic water bottle of 24oz or less
- Hat and sunglasses
- Sunscreen that complies with the current container rules
- Light layer or compact rain protection
- Necessary medication
- Small personal-care items that are not on the prohibited list
The water-bottle exception is specific. Glass bottles, containers and cans are prohibited, but a reusable metal or plastic water bottle up to 24oz is allowed under the 2026 list.
Weather can change over a long day in Queens. The guide to weather and tennis explains why heat, sun, wind and rain can all affect an outdoor event, although spectators should pack only items permitted by the venue.
What You Cannot Bring
The official prohibited-items list for 2026 includes:
- Backpacks, except qualifying single-compartment drawstring or medical bags
- Hard coolers or similar containers
- Sealed packages of any kind
- Glass bottles, glass containers and cans
- Alcohol and illegal substances
- Aerosol cans and noise-making devices
- Video cameras, recording devices and professional camera equipment
- Computers and laptops
- Weapons, regardless of permit
- Animals, except trained service animals
- Flags, banners and signs
- Laser-pointing devices
- Drones, model aircraft and similar devices
- Selfie sticks and other telescopic devices
- Tennis rackets, except on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and rackets acquired on the premises under the published 2026 exception
- Unauthorized advertising or promotional materials
This is not a promise that every unlisted object will be accepted. Event management reserves the right to prohibit anything considered dangerous or inappropriate.
Can You Bring Food?
The current policy specifically prohibits sealed packages, alcohol, glass and cans. It does not create a simple guarantee that every type of outside meal or snack will pass screening.
If food is required for a medical condition, allergy or infant, keep it clearly organized and allow extra time for inspection. Contact official guest services before the visit when the accommodation is important rather than relying on an informal account from a previous year.
Can You Bring a Water Bottle?
Yes, provided it is a reusable metal or plastic bottle holding 24oz or less under the 2026 policy. Glass bottles and cans are not allowed.
Do not bring alcohol in the bottle. The tournament sells drinks inside the grounds, including the cocktail explained in the Honey Deuce recipe and history guide, but outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Can You Bring a Camera?
A phone for personal photos is different from professional or dedicated recording equipment. Video cameras, recording devices and professional camera equipment are prohibited, and livestreaming match play is not permitted.
If photography equipment is important to you, verify the exact current lens and equipment rules before travel. Security staff make the entry decision.
Can You Bring an Umbrella?
Umbrella policies and security decisions can change, while a large umbrella may be awkward in stadium seating even if accepted. A compact poncho or lightweight waterproof layer is the lower-risk option because it fits into a compliant bag and does not block another spectator’s view.
Bag Storage at the US Open
There is no bag storage inside the ticketed grounds. For a nominal charge, the official 2026 information lists storage facilities outside the Main Entry and Champions’ Gate entrances.
Storage is useful when arriving from an airport or hotel, but it should be a backup rather than the plan. Availability, operating hours and price can change, and walking to storage adds time before security.
If you already know a bag is oversized or prohibited, leave it at the hotel whenever possible. Do not risk missing the start of a session while rearranging belongings at the gate.
Security Screening and Entry Tips
All guests and belongings can be screened before entry and at other points on the grounds. Refusing a required search can result in denied admission.
To make entry easier:
- Measure the bag before leaving.
- Use one simple compartment and remove unnecessary items.
- Load the mobile ticket in advance.
- Keep medication and permitted bottles easy to identify.
- Arrive early enough for a queue.
- Recheck the official list on the day of the visit.
Fans who bring no bag may have access to a faster screening route when offered. Gate operation can vary by time and crowd size.
For the rest of the venue plan, including stadiums and sessions, use the complete US Open guide. A small packing list is especially valuable during early rounds because you may walk between courts for many hours.
What to Pack in a Compliant US Open Bag
An efficient bag might contain a phone, charger, wallet, 24oz reusable bottle, sunglasses, hat, permitted sunscreen and a thin layer. That covers the main needs without slowing inspection or occupying too much seat space.
The list of summer tennis accessories can help identify useful sun and hydration items, but venue policy takes priority over a normal day at a tennis court.
Avoid carrying items “just in case” if their status is uncertain. Security convenience matters more than using every inch of the allowance.
US Open Bag Policy FAQ
Does the US Open Require a Clear Bag?
No. The 2026 policy limits size and bag type but does not require every permitted bag to be transparent.
Are Backpacks Allowed?
Ordinary backpacks are prohibited. A single-compartment drawstring bag within the size limit is an exception, and medical or ADA equipment bags can be reviewed by a security supervisor.
How Many Bags Can One Person Bring?
One bag per person, no larger than 12in x 12in x 16in.
Can You Bring a Tennis Racket?
Generally, no. The 2026 list made exceptions for Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and rackets acquired on the premises, but ordinary spectators should leave playing equipment elsewhere unless the current event rules clearly cover them.
What Happens If a Bag Is Too Large?
Security can deny the bag entry. Paid storage is available outside the Main Entry and Champions’ Gate, subject to the current availability and fee.
Do Children Get a Separate Bag Allowance?
The published limit is one bag per person, but a child’s bag must still meet the type and size rules. Contact the event about medical, disability or infant-care needs that require an exception.
The safest final check takes less than a minute: open the official prohibited-items page on the morning of the session. A policy remembered from last year should never override the current list.