The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference
The Official Website of the Southeastern Conference

Clear bag policy in place for basketball championships

1691 days ago
SEC Staff
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Fans attending the 2019 SEC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments will be asked to enter those events with clear bags and should be prepared to arrive early and to see a law enforcement presence in and around the arenas in which those events take place, the conference office has announced.

The SEC Women's Basketball Tournament will be held March 6-10 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville followed by the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament, March 13-17, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

The SEC strongly encourages fans not to bring any type of bags to the tournaments, but bags must be clear or otherwise a small clutch bag to be allowed into either tournament.

Gates open for the women's tournament one hour prior to the first game of each day of the tournament to accommodate early arriving fans and gates open 75 minutes prior to tipoff on the first game day of each day game in the men's tournament.

Bags must satisfy the guidelines below in order to be taken into the SEC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments:

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5" x 6.5", with or without a handle or strap
  • An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a small clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size (12" x 6" x 12").

Items that are typically carried in diaper or baby bags must be carried in a clear bag that meets the standards of the bag policy.

Fans may still bring items such as binoculars and cameras (with lens less than 4 inches in length), provided they are not in cases, as well as smart phones into each arena.

Working personnel, including media, will continue to enter the arenas through designated gates where they will be subject to screening and bag inspections already in effect for the SEC basketball tournaments.

Any fan who witnesses suspicious activity at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville should notify uniformed security personnel, or call (864) 241-3800.

Any fan who witnesses suspicious activity at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville should notify uniformed security personnel, or call (615) 770-2050.

The SEC is encouraging fans to arrive early and leave any unnecessary items at home or in their cars. Fans who bring any bag into the arenas should anticipate being delayed for search.