Real experience dealing with LA Memorial Coliseum’s clear bag policy, including 12x6x12 size limits, no storage options, chaotic security lines, and tips for USC football games and concerts.
I thought I was being smart bringing a clear bag to the LA Memorial Coliseum for a USC football game.
And I was! Sort of. The bag was clear. That part was right. But what I didn’t check was the size of my clear bag compared to what the Coliseum actually allows.
My clear tote was probably 14″ x 10″ x 8″. Reasonable size, completely transparent so security could see my wallet, keys, phone charger, and the sunscreen I’d need for three hours in the LA sun. Perfect, right?
Wrong.
The security guard at Gate 6 measured my bag with what looked like a plastic sizing template and shook her head. “Too big. 12 by 6 by 12 maximum.”
“But it’s clear,” I protested, holding up my obviously transparent bag. “You can see everything inside.”
“Doesn’t matter if it’s clear. Has to meet the size limit. This doesn’t.”
It was 11:30 AM on a Saturday in September 2024. USC vs. UCLA – the crosstown rivalry game. Kickoff at 12:30 PM. I’d paid $95 for my ticket and driven 40 minutes from Pasadena through LA traffic specifically for this game.
And I was standing outside the Coliseum with a bag that was maybe 2 inches too big in a couple dimensions.
“Where’s the bag check?” I asked.
She gestured vaguely toward Exposition Park. “No bag check here. You’ll need to find storage or take it back to your car.”
My car was parked about a 10-minute walk away in one of the lots off Figueroa. Kickoff was in an hour. And I was about to miss the start of the biggest rivalry game in college football because my clear bag was slightly oversized.
Here’s what happened: I ended up leaving my bag at a questionable-looking shop on Figueroa that claimed to offer “game day storage” for $20 (total rip-off but I was desperate), sprinted back to the Coliseum, waited in a now-massive security line, and made it to my seat at 12:44 PM.
I missed kickoff. I missed USC’s opening possession. I missed the energy of 75,000 fans screaming during player introductions.
All because I didn’t measure my clear bag before leaving home.
Let me save you from the same expensive mistake.
Before You Go: The Stuff I Learned the Hard Way
- Clear bags are required AND must be 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller. Both requirements apply. Clear but oversized = denied entry.
- They actually measure your bag. Security has sizing templates. If it doesn’t fit, you’re not getting in.
- Small clutches (4.5″ x 6.5″) don’t need to be clear. This is your loophole if you hate clear bags.
- There is NO bag check at the Coliseum. None. Zero. The venue doesn’t store bags for you.
- The surrounding area has sketchy “unofficial” storage options. Random shops charging $15-25 to hold bags. They work, but feel like a hustle.
- Your car is your best storage option if you drove. But factor in the walk time from parking to the stadium.
- Medical bags and diaper bags get exceptions but expect thorough inspection and supervisor approval.
- This policy applies to ALL events. USC games, concerts, whatever. The clear bag policy is consistent.
- Parking lots open 3-4 hours before kickoff for USC games. Use early access to store items in your car without time pressure.
Understanding the Clear Bag Policy: Size Actually Matters
Let me be very specific about what “12 x 6 x 12” means because it’s smaller than you think.
Maximum dimensions:
- 12 inches wide
- 6 inches deep
- 12 inches tall
That’s roughly 30cm x 15cm x 30cm for metric folks.
Bags that typically work:
- Standard NFL-style clear totes (if they’re within size limit)
- Clear plastic beach bags (small ones)
- One-gallon clear zip-lock bags
- Small clear vinyl bags
- Clear crossbody bags within dimensions
Bags that typically DON’T work:
- Large clear totes (many are 14″ x 14″ or bigger)
- Clear backpacks (most exceed 12″ in some dimension)
- Any non-clear bag except tiny clutches
- Tinted or colored “clear” bags
The clutch exception: Small clutches up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ don’t need to be clear. This is actually the smarter option if you’re only carrying essentials – a small opaque clutch or wristlet is easier to find and doesn’t require transparency.
My bag situation: My clear tote was maybe 14″ x 10″ x 8″. Not huge, but those extra 2 inches in width made it non-compliant. I’d bought it years ago specifically for stadium visits, never thinking to check if it met this specific stadium’s limits.
When I measured my bags at home afterward:
- My clear tote: 14″ x 10″ x 8″ – too big
- My girlfriend’s small clear crossbody: 10″ x 5″ x 8″ – perfect
- A one-gallon zip-lock bag: 10.5″ x 11″ – works
- My small clutch: 6″ x 4″ – perfect (and doesn’t need to be clear)
For travelers managing luggage restrictions across different venues, understanding airline carry-on policies alongside stadium rules helps coordinate travel plans.
My USC vs. UCLA Game Day Disaster
Let me walk through the complete chaos of that Saturday, because the details illustrate how this policy affects real people.
September 21, 2024. USC vs. UCLA at the Memorial Coliseum. The Victory Bell rivalry game – huge deal in LA college football. I’d been looking forward to this for months.
I’m not a USC or UCLA alum, but I live in LA and love college football. When a friend offered me his ticket (he couldn’t make it), I jumped at the chance. $95 for a seat in the student section seemed reasonable for a rivalry game.
Spent Friday night in Pasadena at a friend’s place. Saturday morning, I packed my clear bag with:
- My wallet
- Phone charger and cable
- Sunscreen (crucial for daytime games in LA)
- A hat
- Keys
- Small bag of trail mix (stadium food is expensive)
Left Pasadena around 10:30 AM. GPS said 25 minutes to the Coliseum but I knew game-day traffic would be worse. Took the 110 South, which was predictably congested.
Got to the Figueroa parking lots around 11:15 AM. Paid $50 for parking (yes, really, $50 for parking at a college football game). Walked toward the Coliseum through Exposition Park, which was already packed with tailgaters, vendors, and fans.
The atmosphere was incredible – cardinal and gold everywhere (USC colors), some blue and gold (UCLA fans), everyone hyped for the rivalry. The Coliseum looks amazing when you approach it – this historic venue that’s hosted Olympics, Rose Bowls, countless iconic moments.
Got to Gate 6 around 11:25 AM. Security line was already substantial but moving. I figured I had plenty of time – kickoff wasn’t until 12:30 PM.
Reached the security checkpoint at 11:32 AM. The guard took one look at my clear bag and grabbed her sizing template – basically a metal frame showing the maximum dimensions.
My bag didn’t fit through cleanly. It was too wide.
“Sorry, that bag’s too big. 12 by 6 by 12 maximum.”
I argued briefly (never effective with security, but stress makes you irrational). She was patient but firm: the bag didn’t meet requirements, I couldn’t bring it in.
“Where do I store it?”
“No storage here. Maybe your car? Or there are shops on Figueroa that might hold it.”
My car was a 10-minute walk each way. With security lines, that’s 30+ minutes total. Kickoff in less than an hour.
I stepped out of line and started walking quickly back toward Figueroa, looking for any shop that might store my bag.
Found a small convenience store with a hand-written sign: “BAG STORAGE – $20.” Sketchy? Yes. Desperate? Also yes.
Went inside. The owner – an older Korean man who’d clearly seen this situation a million times – took my bag, wrote my name on a tag, gave me a receipt, and took my $20.
“Pick up after game. We close at 8 PM.”
It was now 11:42 AM. I sprinted (okay, walked very quickly because sprinting in LA heat is miserable) back toward the Coliseum.
Hit the security line again at 11:51 AM. But now it was MUCH longer – we were getting closer to kickoff and everyone was arriving. The line stretched way back from the gates.
Stood in line. Slowly moved forward. Reached security at 12:24 PM.
This time I had nothing except my phone, wallet, and keys in my pockets. Security was quick – metal detector, pat-down, done.
Scanned my mobile ticket. Entered the Coliseum at 12:28 PM.
Kickoff happened at 12:30 PM while I was still navigating the concourse trying to find my section. Got to my seat at 12:44 PM.
USC was already driving down the field. I’d missed the coin toss, the opening kickoff, the first few plays. The student section around me was going crazy and I’d missed why.
(USC ended up winning 38-20, so at least the game was exciting once I actually saw it.)
Total cost of my bag mistake:
- $20 for sketchy storage
- Missing the first 14 minutes of the game
- Significant stress and frustration
All because my clear bag was 2 inches too wide and I didn’t measure it beforehand.
What You Can Actually Bring: The Reality Check
Given the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ limit for clear bags, let’s talk about what’s practical to bring.
Items in a compliant clear bag:
- Phone
- Wallet
- Keys
- Small amount of sunscreen (in compliant-sized bottle)
- Phone charger (maybe, if it fits)
- Tissues or small hygiene items
- That’s about it
Items in a 4.5″ x 6.5″ clutch (doesn’t need to be clear):
- Phone (if it fits – large phones might not)
- Wallet or just cards/ID and cash
- Keys if they’re minimal
- Lipstick or chapstick
- Basically just the bare essentials
What you should leave behind:
- Full-size sunscreen bottles
- Snacks (technically prohibited anyway)
- Extra layers beyond what you’re wearing
- Camera equipment beyond a phone
- Anything you don’t absolutely need
The pocket strategy: Many people just use pockets and bring no bag at all. Wear cargo shorts or pants with good pockets. Keep phone in one pocket, wallet in another, keys in a third.
Women often borrow their partner’s pockets or wear vests/jackets with multiple pockets.
My recommendation for LA Coliseum: Either bring a tiny clutch with absolute essentials or use pockets and bring nothing. Clear bags are more hassle than they’re worth unless you really need to carry multiple items.
Prohibited Items: Beyond Just Bags
The Coliseum doesn’t just care about bag size – there’s a long list of prohibited items.
Definitely not allowed:
- Backpacks (even clear ones that exceed size limits)
- Large purses
- Any non-clear bag except small clutches
- Outside food and beverages (except personal-sized water bottles and medical/baby needs)
- Weapons of any kind
- Camera lenses over 6 inches
- Tripods and monopods
- Selfie sticks
- Noise makers (horns, whistles)
- Laser pointers
- Umbrellas (some exceptions for weather)
- Glass bottles or metal cans
- Coolers
Medical and diaper bag exceptions: If you need to bring medical supplies or baby items:
- Notify security immediately
- Have documentation ready (prescription, medical ID)
- Expect thorough bag search
- Supervisor approval required
- Plan extra time for screening
I watched security make someone throw away a sealed water bottle that was slightly too large. Another person tried to bring in a small non-clear backpack and was turned away.
The enforcement is consistent. Don’t try to argue or get creative with interpretations.
Storage Options Near LA Memorial Coliseum
Here’s the crucial information: where to actually store your stuff when the Coliseum won’t let you in with it.
The problem: The Coliseum itself offers zero storage. No bag check, no lockers, nothing.
Your car (if you drove): Best option if you parked in one of the official lots:
- Figueroa lots: 5-10 minute walk from gates
- Expo Park lots: Similar distance
- Street parking: Varies, possibly farther
Plan for 20-30 minutes round trip to retrieve items and return through security.
“Unofficial” game-day storage: Small shops and convenience stores on Figueroa and nearby streets offer storage:
- Pricing: $15-25 typically
- Reliability: Questionable but usually works
- Hours: Usually close by 8-9 PM
- Trust factor: Get a receipt, take a photo of the shop
Radical Storage: App-based service with partner locations around LA:
- Nearest locations: USC area, downtown LA
- Pricing: $6-8 per day
- More reliable than random shops
- Book through app ahead of time
Hotels: If you’re staying near USC or downtown LA, some hotels offer bag storage for non-guests:
- Call ahead to verify
- Pricing varies
- More trustworthy than street shops
- Farther from the venue
My recommendation: If you drove, your car is the best free option despite the walk. If you took public transit, book Radical Storage ahead of time in a reliable area.
Don’t count on finding storage right when you need it. The random shops near the Coliseum are convenient but feel like a hustle designed to profit from the strict bag policy.
Security Screening Process
Even with a compliant bag, you’re going through thorough security at the Coliseum.
The process:
- Join the queue at your entrance gate
- Bag inspection (if you have one)
- Walk through metal detector
- Possible pat-down
- Ticket scan
- Enter venue
What slows things down:
- People with non-compliant bags arguing
- Bags requiring manual inspection
- Metal detectors going off (empty your pockets!)
- Large groups trying to enter together
- People without tickets ready
Timing: Security lines are longest 30-60 minutes before events start. For USC football games, expect serious crowds from 11:30 AM-12:15 PM for 12:30 PM kickoffs.
For concerts and other events, lines peak right before doors open and again right before show time.
Tips for faster entry:
- Arrive 90+ minutes before event start
- Have nothing or a clearly compliant bag
- Empty pockets before the metal detector
- Have your ticket pulled up and ready
- Don’t carry prohibited items
- Be patient and polite with security
The Coliseum security staff deals with thousands of people at major events. They’ve seen every argument and excuse. Just follow the rules and you’ll get through quickly.
LA Coliseum for Different Events
The clear bag policy is consistent across events, but the experience varies:
USC football games:
- Massive crowds (capacity 77,500)
- Entry concentrated before kickoff
- Parking chaos
- Longest security lines
- Tailgate culture means people bring stuff
- More fans caught off-guard by bag policy
Concerts:
- Similar crowd sizes for big acts
- Entry more spread out
- Different parking dynamics
- Same bag policy
- Younger crowds sometimes less familiar with policies
Other sporting events:
- Rugby matches, soccer, etc.
- Usually smaller crowds
- More relaxed atmosphere
- Same bag policy but less chaos
Special events:
- Festivals, ceremonies, graduations
- Vary widely in attendance
- Always check specific event page
- Bag policy consistent but enforcement may vary
For USC home games specifically, the rivalry games (UCLA, Notre Dame) are the most intense. Plan extra time for everything during those matchups.
Comparing LA Coliseum to Other Venues
How does the Coliseum’s policy compare to other major LA venues?
Similar policies:
- SoFi Stadium (Rams/Chargers): 12″ x 6″ x 12″ clear bags
- Dodger Stadium: Similar clear bag policy
- Rose Bowl: Clear bag requirements
- Most major sports venues: Clear bags standard now
Stricter policies:
- Raymond James Stadium (Tampa): No bags at all except tiny clutches
- Some arenas: Smaller size limits
More relaxed:
- Smaller venues and older stadiums
- Some concerts at non-sports venues
- Lower-division sports
The LA venue trend: All major LA sports and entertainment venues have adopted clear bag policies over the past 5-10 years. It’s the standard now, not the exception.
If you’re attending events around LA regularly, invest in a compliant clear bag that works at all venues. Or just use a tiny clutch and pockets.
Practical Information Table
CategoryDetailsImportant NotesClear Bag Size12" x 6" x 12" maximumMust be clear AND meet size limitSmall Clutch4.5" x 6.5" maximumDoesn't need to be clearOn-Site StorageNot availableMust find off-site optionsParking Cost$30-50 typicalVaries by lot and eventWalking Distance5-15 minutes from parkingFactor this into timingSecurity Wait20-45 minutes peak timesLonger for big gamesBest Arrival Time90+ minutes before eventMore for huge games/concertsMedical/Diaper BagsAllowed with inspectionBring documentation
What I’d Do Differently
When I eventually go back to the Coliseum (and I will – it’s an iconic venue and USC games are fun):
Before leaving home:
- Measure my bag against the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ limit
- Better yet, just bring a tiny clutch or use pockets
- Pack only absolute essentials
- Have my mobile ticket downloaded
Day of event:
- Arrive 90+ minutes early
- If I must bring a bag, verify it’s compliant
- Have backup plan for storage if needed
- Keep car keys accessible (might need them)
At the venue:
- Have nothing that could be questioned
- Pockets empty before security
- Ticket ready on phone
- Don’t argue with security staff
- Accept the rules and work within them
Backup plan: Know where my car is parked and how long it takes to get there. Have Radical Storage locations saved on my phone just in case.
The biggest lesson: A few minutes of preparation prevents hours of frustration and potentially missing parts of events you paid good money to attend.
The $20 Storage Hustle
Let’s talk about those “game day storage” shops near the Coliseum.
How they work:
- Small shops that normally sell snacks, drinks, etc.
- On game days, they offer bag storage
- Pricing: $15-25 typical
- Get a receipt, pick up after the event
Are they legit? Mostly yes, they work. But it feels exploitative:
- They profit from the strict bag policy
- Prices are inflated compared to normal storage
- Quality and security vary
- Some shops are more reliable than others
My experience: The Korean convenience store charged $20, gave me a receipt, and had my bag ready after the game. It worked. But I felt hustled – they’re clearly making money off people who didn’t know about the bag policy.
Better alternatives:
- Your car (free)
- Radical Storage ($6-8, more reliable)
- Hotel bag storage if staying nearby
Only use the random shops as a last resort when you’re desperate and time-constrained like I was.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bag is allowed at LA Memorial Coliseum?
Clear bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are permitted. Small clutches up to 4.5″ x 6.5″ are also allowed and don’t need to be clear. All bags are subject to inspection at security checkpoints.
Do I need a clear bag at the Coliseum?
Not necessarily. You can bring a small non-clear clutch (4.5″ x 6.5″ or smaller) or use your pockets and bring nothing. Clear bags are only required if you want to bring something larger than clutch size, up to the 12″ x 6″ x 12″ limit.
Can I bring a backpack to USC games at the Coliseum?
No, backpacks are not permitted even if they’re clear or small. Only clear bags meeting the size requirements or small clutches are allowed. This applies to all events at the Coliseum, not just football games.
Is there bag storage at LA Memorial Coliseum?
No, the Coliseum does not offer any on-site bag check or storage facilities. You’ll need to store items in your car, use nearby off-site storage services, or leave prohibited items at home.
What happens if my clear bag is too big?
Security will deny you entry until you store the bag elsewhere. You’ll need to return it to your car, find off-site storage, or make other arrangements. This can take 30+ minutes and may cause you to miss parts of your event.
Can I bring food and drinks into the Coliseum?
Outside food and beverages are generally prohibited except for personal-sized water bottles and items needed for medical or infant care. All items are subject to security inspection.
Are medical bags and diaper bags allowed?
Yes, but they must be necessary for medical conditions or infant care and will undergo thorough inspection. Bring documentation (prescription, medical ID) and notify security staff. Expect additional screening time.
How early should I arrive for USC football games?
For major games, arrive at least 90 minutes before kickoff. Parking, walking to the venue, and security lines can take significant time. For rivalry games (UCLA, Notre Dame), consider arriving 2+ hours early.
Final Thoughts: Measure Twice, Enter Once
Missing the first 14 minutes of the USC-UCLA rivalry game because my clear bag was 2 inches too wide ranks high on my list of preventable travel mistakes.
It was entirely avoidable. Five minutes with a measuring tape at home would’ve told me my bag didn’t meet the requirements. Two minutes checking the Coliseum’s website would’ve confirmed the exact dimensions.
Instead, I assumed “clear bag” meant “any clear bag” and paid $20 plus missed game time for my assumption.
The LA Memorial Coliseum’s bag policy isn’t unreasonable – it’s pretty standard for major venues now. But the details matter. Clear bags must meet size requirements. Small clutches are allowed. Nothing else works.
Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Check the specific requirements, measure your bag, and plan accordingly.
The Coliseum is an incredible venue – historic, iconic, amazing for big events. USC games are electric. Concerts are spectacular. Don’t let a bag policy issue ruin your experience.
Measure your bag. Or better yet, just bring a tiny clutch or use pockets. Arrive early. Follow the rules.
And if you see someone in line arguing with security about their oversized clear bag, maybe share this article with them. Or just smile knowingly, because you’ve learned from my mistake instead of making your own.
Fight On, and may your bags always be 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller.