The US Open bag policy allows one bag per guest, no larger than 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L, and there is no on-site bag check for anything that breaks those rules. If you turn up at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center with a suitcase, a multi-compartment backpack or an oversized tote, security will turn you away at the gate. This guide covers the US Open bag size limits for 2026, the full prohibited items list, and exactly where to leave a bag that doesn’t comply.
The Quick Answer
- One bag per guest is admitted onto the Grounds.
- Bags must not exceed 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L.
- Clear bags are not required, but they speed up screening.
- Multi-compartment backpacks are not permitted. Single-compartment drawstring bags within the size limit are.
- There is no free bag check on the Grounds. Paid bag storage sits outside the East Gate and South Gate.
- All bags are subject to search. Speed Lines at the East and South Gates are for guests carrying no bag at all.
Official source: US Open prohibited items policy. Last checked 25 August 2026.
US Open Bag Size 2026: What You Can Bring
The US Open bag size limit is 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L. The volume is more generous than it sounds, but the shape catches people out: at 12 inches, the height limit rules out most tall daypacks even when the bag would otherwise fit. And the bigger trap is not size at all — multi-compartment backpacks are banned outright, whatever their dimensions.
| Bag type | Allowed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tote, purse or small bag within 12″ x 12″ x 16″ | Yes | One per guest, subject to search |
| Clear bag within size limit | Yes | Not required, but clears security fastest |
| Single-compartment drawstring bag | Yes | Must still meet the size limit |
| Multi-compartment backpack | No | Prohibited regardless of size |
| Suitcase or wheeled luggage | No | Store off-site before you arrive |
| Hard-sided cooler | No | Small soft-sided coolers permitted |
| Second bag of any size | No | Strict one-bag limit |
Is There a Clear Bag Policy at the US Open?
No. Unlike the NFL and many US arenas, the US Open does not mandate clear bags. You can bring an opaque bag provided it meets the 12″ x 12″ x 16″ limit. That said, a clear tote moves through the manual inspection line noticeably faster, which matters during the first week when gate queues are longest.
Can You Bring a Backpack to the US Open?
Traditional multi-compartment backpacks are not permitted, whatever their size. The one exception is a single-compartment drawstring bag that fits inside the size limit. If your backpack has zipped side pockets or a laptop sleeve, treat it as prohibited and plan to store it.
Prohibited Items at the US Open
Beyond bag dimensions, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center prohibits the following:
| Prohibited | Exceptions and notes |
|---|---|
| Bags larger than 12″ x 12″ x 16″ | One compliant bag per person |
| Multi-compartment backpacks | Single-compartment drawstring bags permitted within size limit |
| Glass bottles and containers | Empty reusable metal or plastic bottles up to 24oz permitted |
| Outside food and beverages | Medical and infant needs excepted |
| Professional camera equipment | Smartphones fine; lenses over 6 inches, tripods and monopods are not |
| Hard-sided coolers | Small soft-sided coolers with non-alcoholic drinks permitted |
| Drones | No exceptions anywhere on the grounds |
| Laser pointers and noise-makers | No exceptions |
| Weapons of any kind | No exceptions |
| Pets | Trained ADA service dogs only |
Aerosols, spray bottles and personal care items of 3.4oz or less are permitted. Water stations throughout the grounds let you refill a reusable bottle for free.
Is There a Bag Check at the US Open?
There is no free bag check inside the Grounds. The US Open does not hold prohibited or oversized items for you once you reach security. For a fee, bag storage facilities operate just outside the East Gate and South Gate entrances — useful if you are caught out on the day, though queues build sharply before popular sessions and capacity is limited.
If you already know you are carrying luggage — arriving from JFK, LaGuardia or Penn Station, or changing accommodation mid-tournament — sorting storage before you travel to Flushing Meadows is the faster option. It also unlocks the Speed Lines at the East and South Gates, which are reserved for guests arriving with no bag at all.
Where to Store Luggage Near the US Open
Radical Storage has secure luggage storage locations near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and right across New York City, from $4.90 per bag per day. Our partners are vetted local businesses — shops, cafés and hotels, the people we call Angels — so you can drop a suitcase, a backpack or a set of racquets and collect it whenever you finish.
Book a slot near luggage storage near Flushing Meadows before you head for the 7 train, or leave your bags in Midtown if you are spending the day in the city first. Booking online takes a minute and cancellation is free.
When the Bag Rules Apply in 2026
The same bag policy applies on every day of the tournament, including free Fan Week days. The 2026 US Open runs from Sunday 23 August to Sunday 13 September, with Fan Week 23–29 August, qualifying 24–27 August, and the main draw beginning Sunday 30 August. The women’s final is on 12 September and the men’s final on 13 September.
For the full schedule, ticket types, transport and session times, see our complete US Open 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About the US Open Bag Policy
One bag per guest, no larger than 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L. All bags are subject to search, and multi-compartment backpacks are not permitted.
12 inches wide by 12 inches high by 16 inches long, one bag per guest. The 12-inch height is the limit most tall daypacks fail, so measure before you travel.
No. Clear bags are not mandatory, but they move through security faster than opaque bags of the same size.
Not a multi-compartment backpack. Only single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the 12″ x 12″ x 16″ limit are permitted.
There is no free bag check inside the Grounds. Paid bag storage operates outside the East Gate and South Gate, and Radical Storage has locations near Flushing Meadows and across New York City.
Radical Storage has verified partner locations near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and throughout New York City from $4.90 per bag per day, with free cancellation.
Security will refuse entry. You will need to use the paid storage outside the East or South Gate, or leave the bag at an off-site location before you arrive.
