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Ohio Stadium bag policy: What can Ohio State football fans bring to home games

Colin Gay, Columbus Dispatch
·4 min read

Ohio Stadium is about to open its gates to Ohio State fans for another football season.

The Buckeyes' home matchup against Youngstown State noon Saturday will be the first of six home games this season, including Big Ten foes Penn State and Michigan State.

Here's a look at what Ohio State fans need to know before heading to Ohio Stadium this football season.

No bags at Ohio Stadium for Ohio State football games

Bags and pursues are not permitted in Ohio Stadium.

Guests that have medical, dietary or childcare needs may bring one bag into the gate and must enter through the Steinbrenner Band Center Entrance (glass doors adjacent to Gate 10) or the Press Entrance (glass doors adjacent to Gate 23).

Wallets and wristlets no larger than 5x8x1 inches are permitted.

All items and persons entering Ohio Stadium are subject to screening and inspection.

Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day calls a play into quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Osu22rut Kwr 36
Oct 1, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day calls a play into quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) in the second quarter of the NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium. Osu22rut Kwr 36

Prohibited items at Ohio Stadium: What Ohio State fans can't bring in

These items are not permitted at Ohio Stadium.

  • All bags (backpacks, fanny packs, purses, camera bags, etc.)

  • Alcohol

  • Animals (except service dogs for fans with disabilities)

  • Audio or video recording equipment

  • Banners, flags and signs

  • Bicycles

  • Cameras with a lens greater than 100mm along with monopods, dual pods or tripods

  • Chairs (folding chairs, portable chairs, stools, lawn chairs)

  • Clothing with profane, inappropriate or abusive language

  • Containers (hard-sided coolers, soft-pack coolers, ice chests, picnic baskets, cans, heavy plastic or glass bottles, thermoses)

  • Confetti, streamers, glitter, balloons

  • Drones

  • Firearms

  • Fireworks

  • Food or beverages

  • Illegal drus

  • Inflatables (balls, balloons, etc.)

  • Laptops and computers

  • Laser pointers

  • Markers (permanent) or paint

  • Noisemaking devices (whistles, air horns, etc.)

  • Seat cushions that have back support, zippers or storage

  • Sticks, poles, pipes or selfie sticks

  • Strollers and car-seat type baby carriers

  • Sports equipment

  • Televisions or video monitors

  • Wrapped gifts, packages, etc.

What Ohio State fans can bring into Ohio Stadium

Here's what items are permitted inside Ohio Stadium on Ohio State football game days.

  • Binoculars (without a case)

  • Blankets (unrolled)

  • Body-worn baby carriers (wraps, slings, soft pack baby carrier, etc.)

  • Cameras (still) with a lens 100mm or less

  • Coats (worn or carried)

  • Mobility devices (canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, wheelchairs, scooters, etc.)

  • Rain apparel and ponchos (worn or carried)

  • Foam seat cushions without back support, zippers or storage

  • Small radios with headphones

  • Tablets

  • Umbrellas for before or after the game — Umbrellas are not permitted to be opened in seating areas of Ohio Stadium

  • Water bottles that are clear, plastic and empty

  • Wallet, wristlet or clutch no larger than 5x8x1 inches

  • Sunscreen (non-aerosol)

Ohio State football game day schedule

Here's a look at the expected game day timeline for each Ohio State football home game.

  • 5 a.m.: Parking lots open

  • Four hours prior to kickoff: Skull Session doors open at St. John Arena

  • Three hours prior to kickoff: FanFest opens on the St. John Arena south lawn, Ticket office opens near Gate 5 on the northwest corner of Ohio Stadium

  • Two hours prior to kickoff: Ohio Stadium gates open, Skull Session begins

  • Twenty minutes prior to kickoff: Ohio State University Marching Band ramp entrance

Should I bring cash to Ohio Stadium for Ohio State football home games?

No. All parking lots and garages, concession stands and merchandise stands will be cashless. All major credit cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay will be accepted.

Ohio State football 2023 home schedule: Which teams are coming to Ohio Stadium?

Ohio Stadium will see six Ohio State football games during the 2023 season: Youngstown State (Sept. 9), Western Kentucky (Sept. 16), Maryland (Oct. 7), Penn State (Oct. 21), Michigan State (Nov. 11) and Minnesota (Nov. 18).

Ohio State football schedule 2023

Here's what Ohio State's 2023 football schedule looks like.

  • Sept. 2: Ohio State 23, Indiana 3 

  • Sept. 9: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 12 p.m., Big Ten Network

  • Sept. 16: Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 4 p.m., FOX

  • Sept. 23: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBC

  • Oct. 7: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Oct. 14: Ohio State vs. Purdue, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Oct. 21: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Oct. 28: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

  • Nov. 4: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey

  • Nov. 11: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 7:30 p.m., NBC

  • Nov. 18: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Nov. 25: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 12 p.m., FOX

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Stadium bag policy: What OSU football fans can bring to home games