Resch Center Bag Policy Rules and Allowed Sizes

Resch Center Bag Policy Guide

Planning a visit to the Resch Center in Green Bay shouldn't come with the worry of getting turned away at the doors. Whether you are catching a Green Bay Gamblers hockey game, a Green Bay Blizzard arena football matchup, a family event like Disney on Ice, or a major touring concert, knowing the arena rules in advance is essential. Walking up to the gates across the cold plaza only to discover your bag does not meet security standards can derail your entire evening.

The Resch Center enforces a mandatory clear bag policy for all ticketed events. To pass through security checkpoints without issue, bring either a transparent clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC tote bag no larger than 12" x 6" x 12" or a small non-clear clutch purse no larger than 8.5" x 5.5". Backpacks, large totes, and computer bags are strictly barred from the venue. Because the Resch Center has no on-site storage lockers, any oversized or prohibited bag must be taken all the way back to your car before you are permitted inside.

How We Check This Policy

At BagPolicyGuide, our team tracks venue operations directly from primary sources. For the Resch Center, we pull verified criteria from official PMI Entertainment Group rules, the Brown County Veterans Memorial Complex administrative guidelines, and seasonal information from anchor tenants such as the Green Bay Gamblers.

We clearly separate confirmed official dimensions from practical venue realities. If a facility does not provide luggage storage, or if neighboring sports complexes enforce different measurements, we document those details so you are never left guessing in the security line.

Official Bag Policy Overview

The Resch Center requires all spectators to comply with its safety procedures before entering the arena bowl. According to the venue's published security guidelines, guests may bring:

• One clear tote bag made of transparent plastic, vinyl, or PVC with dimensions that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12".
• A one-gallon clear resealable plastic storage bag (such as a Ziploc freezer bag).
• One small clutch, wristlet, or wallet that does not exceed 8.5" x 5.5", which does not need to be clear.

Any non-clear purse, everyday handbag, tote, or satchel larger than 8.5" x 5.5" will be turned away. Backpacks of every style-including mini fashion backpacks and clear plastic rucksacks-are barred.

To review how these specifications match broader stadium and arena criteria nationwide, explore our comprehensive guide to clear bag policy rules and sizes.

Critically, the Resch Center does not offer lockers, coat checks, or bag holding areas. If gate staff determine that your bag exceeds the maximum permitted dimensions, you cannot check it at Guest Services or leave it near the turnstiles. Your only option will be returning it to your vehicle.

What Makes This Bag Policy Different

Attending an event at the Resch Center involves a few local quirks that catch many visitors off guard:

1. The 8.5" x 5.5" Clutch vs. Lambeau Field

The Resch Center sits directly across Lombardi Avenue from legendary Lambeau Field. Because thousands of regional sports fans attend games at both venues, confusion frequently arises regarding non-clear clutch bags.

• Lambeau Field enforces the standard NFL cutoff: 4.5" x 6.5".
• The Resch Center allows a larger cutoff: 8.5" x 5.5".

An 8.5" x 5.5" clutch is roughly the size of a standard piece of printer paper folded in half. While this gives you extra space at the Resch Center, you cannot carry that same clutch across the street on a Packers game day. For a closer comparison of NFL standards, consult the Lambeau Field bag policy guide.

2. The Penalty of the Green Bay Winter Walk

The Resch Center hosts the majority of its concerts, family shows, and USHL hockey games during the freezing Wisconsin winter. If your bag is rejected at the magnetometer line, walking hundreds of yards back through the Bart Starr Plaza or Lambeau overflow parking lots in sub-zero wind chills is miserable. Getting your bag measurements right before parking is far more critical here than at venues in warm climates.

3. Strict No-Locker Environment

Many newer sports arenas offer third-party mobile locker trailers outside the entrances for patrons with non-compliant bags. The Resch Center does not provide this amenity. If you take a rideshare or taxi to the arena without a personal vehicle to store excess items, a non-compliant bag could force you to surrender your purse or miss the event.

Allowed Bags and Size Limits

Clear Bags

Clear bags brought into the arena must be fully transparent so gate screeners can see all contents instantly.

• Maximum dimensions: 12 inches wide by 12 inches high by 6 inches deep.
• Approved materials: Clear PVC, vinyl, or plastic.
• Acceptable alternatives: A standard 1-gallon clear plastic freezer storage bag with a slide or press seal.
• Condition: Bags should not feature heavy tinted color, reflective holographic finishes, or large graphic prints that obscure a direct view through the interior.

Small Clutches and Wallets

You are not forced to carry a clear bag if you only need personal essentials.

• Maximum dimensions: 8.5 inches wide by 5.5 inches high.
• Materials: Opaque leather, canvas, synthetic, or fabric clutches are fully acceptable.
• Straps: Wallets and clutches may feature a removable wrist loop or a thin shoulder strap, provided the main pouch body stays within the 8.5" x 5.5" measurement limit.

Backpacks, Purses, and Crossbody Bags

• Backpacks: Strictly prohibited. This includes traditional student backpacks, leather fashion mini-backpacks, sling bags, drawstring bags, and transparent backpacks.
• Purses and Shoulder Bags: Any regular shoulder purse that is opaque and measures larger than 8.5" x 5.5" is prohibited.
• Crossbody Bags: Crossbody bags are only permitted if they are made of 100% clear material (under 12" x 6" x 12") or if the pouch fits within the 8.5" x 5.5" small clutch limit.

Diaper Bags, Medical Bags, and ADA Exceptions

The Resch Center grants entry exceptions for specialized health and parenting gear:

• Diaper Bags: Permitted for guests entering with an infant or toddler. While diaper bags do not strictly have to be clear, they are subject to a thorough manual inspection by gate personnel. Bringing a clear diaper tote often speeds up this checkpoint.
• Medical Equipment: Bags containing essential prescription equipment, diabetes testing gear, oxygen supplies, ostomy care kits, or feeding pumps are permitted regardless of their size. Guests carrying medical gear should inform the screening officer upon arrival for secondary inspection.
• Breast Pumps: Handled under the medical equipment exception and permitted following security verification.

Prohibited Bags and Items

Arena staff will refuse entry to anyone carrying the items outlined below. Keep this checklist in mind when packing your vehicle.

Note on Strollers: While collapsible umbrella strollers can be brought into the outer lobby, they are strictly prohibited inside the arena seating bowl. You must check your stroller with concourse Guest Services before proceeding to your section.

How Security Screening Works

The entry gates at the Resch Center are designed to move thousands of spectators into the building efficiently while maintaining strict safety standards:

1. Walk-Through Metal Detectors: Every patron passes through walk-through magnetometers at the arena entrances. You will be instructed to remove large metal objects, such as mobile phones and heavy key rings, and hold them in your hands or set them in small inspection trays.
2. Visual and Manual Bag Checks: If you are carrying a clear tote, the security officer will perform a quick visual inspection of the interior. If you are carrying an 8.5" x 5.5" non-clear clutch, the officer will ask you to open the zipper so they can examine the inner compartment.
3. Dedicated Medical / Family Screening: Guests carrying infant gear or medical supplies will be directed to a supervisor station adjacent to the main queue for manual physical checks.
4. Timing Your Arrival: Screening lines reach their highest volume between 30 and 45 minutes before puck drop or showtime. Arriving 45 to 60 minutes ahead of time ensures you pass through the metal detectors and ticket scanners without missing the opening minutes.
5. Rejection Protocol: If security flags an unapproved bag, you will be instructed to return it to your vehicle. Arena staff cannot hold bags behind counters or watch items on the plaza.

Packing Strategy for Faster Entry

Organizing your gear before you arrive prevents delays at the security gates. Use these six steps to keep the screening process seamless:

1. Choose the Safest Bag First: Whenever possible, use a single 12" x 6" x 12" clear tote bag or an approved 8.5" x 5.5" clutch. If you do not need to carry extra items, entering with only your phone and wallet in your pockets gets you through the no-bag lanes fastest.
2. Pack Only the Essentials: Pare your contents down to personal identification, credit/debit cards, smartphone, keys, essential lip balm, and cold-weather gear. The Resch Center is a cashless venue, so heavy coin purses and bulk cash are unnecessary.
3. Use Small Pouches Carefully: If you need to pack personal privacy items (such as hygiene products or cosmetics), place them inside your 8.5" x 5.5" clutch and place that clutch inside your clear tote. This keeps sensitive items out of public view while remaining fully compliant with venue guidelines.
4. Separate Exception Items: Group infant formula, diapers, or daily medications together in a distinct clear pouch so a security supervisor can examine them in seconds without unloading your entire bag.
5. Keep Items Visible: Avoid jamming bulky knit hats, gloves, and scarves over your personal items inside a clear tote. Lay items flat across the bottom of the tote so screeners can verify the seams at a glance.
6. Maintain a Vehicle Backup Plan: Keep a clean, 1-gallon clear freezer bag inside your vehicle's glove box. If you arrive at the arena only to realize your everyday purse is an inch too large, you can quickly transfer your phone, keys, and cards into the freezer bag and leave the purse locked in your trunk.

Security Check Anxiety Tips

Security checkpoints can feel intimidating, especially when lines are long and temperatures are freezing. You can stay calm and confident by running through a simple pre-gate routine:

• Do the Half-Sheet Paper Test at Home: Unsure if your clutch is compliant? Take a standard 8.5" x 11" sheet of printer paper and fold it in half. That folded paper measures exactly 8.5" x 5.5". If your purse extends past those edges, leave it at home.
• Clear Your Pockets in Advance: Empty your pockets of pocketknives, pepper spray, metal vape devices, and heavy keychains before joining the outdoor queue. Triggers at the metal detector force you into secondary wanding, slowing down your entry.
• Stage Your Phone and Tickets: Open your electronic ticketing app and save your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet before you exit your car. Cellular reception in the Lombardi Avenue district can slow down under heavy event crowds.
• Handle Gate Disputes Politely: If a gate screener questions a compliant clutch, do not argue. Calmly state: "This clutch is under the arena's 8.5 by 5.5 inch cutoff. Could we measure it against your card or check with a Guest Services supervisor?" Security staff have measurement templates at every checkpoint.

Category-Specific Packing Tips (Stadium & Arena)

Attending sporting events and arena tours involves specific logistics that differ from outdoor festivals or amusement parks:

• Green Bay Gamblers Hockey: Games can feel chilly inside the bowl near the ice glass. Rather than packing a large blanket in an oversized tote, wear thermal base layers and a warm team jacket through the gate. Personal blankets are permitted if shaken out, but carrying them inside an oversized, non-clear tote bag is not allowed.
• Concert Merchandise: If you intend to purchase tour hoodies, posters, or t-shirts, carry an empty 12" x 6" x 12" clear tote bag into the arena. Merchandise stands do not always provide plastic shopping bags, and holding loose tour items during the show can be awkward.
• Regional Arena Travel: If you frequently attend collegiate basketball tournaments or state high school championships across Wisconsin, note that rules vary between arenas. For example, check our Kohl Center bag policy to understand how requirements in Madison compare to Ashwaubenon.

Before You Go Checklist

Review this quick mobile checklist before you lock your car doors and head toward the plaza:

• [ ] My clear tote measures 12" x 6" x 12" or smaller.
• [ ] My non-clear purse or clutch measures 8.5" x 5.5" or smaller.
• [ ] All backpacks, sling packs, and mini rucksacks are left in the car.
• [ ] Pocketknives, pepper spray, and metallic self-defense tools have been removed from keyrings.
• [ ] Infant diaper supplies are organized for manual inspection.
• [ ] Medically necessary gear is accessible to declare to security supervisors.
• [ ] Digital tickets are downloaded into a mobile wallet to prevent reception delays.
• [ ] Winter coat pockets are cleared of loose metal items before entering the detector frame.
• [ ] Credit, debit, or mobile tap payment options are ready for cashless arena vendors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are clear bags required for every event at the Resch Center?

Yes. The Resch Center enforces its clear bag policy across all public events, including USHL hockey, arena football, family exhibitions, and touring concerts.

What are the maximum bag dimensions allowed inside the arena?

Clear totes made of plastic, vinyl, or PVC cannot exceed 12" x 6" x 12". Small non-clear clutches, wristlets, or wallets cannot exceed 8.5" x 5.5". Alternatively, a 1-gallon clear plastic freezer storage bag is allowed.

Can I bring a regular purse if it is small?

Yes. You may bring an opaque purse, wallet, or clutch as long as it stays within the 8.5" x 5.5" boundary. If your purse is larger than 8.5" x 5.5", it must be completely transparent and measure under 12" x 6" x 12".

Are backpacks allowed if they are completely clear?

No. All styles of backpacks-including transparent plastic backpacks, mini backpacks, drawstring sacks, and sling bags-are strictly prohibited by arena security.

Does the Resch Center offer lockers or bag check facilities?

No. The venue provides no lockers, storage trailers, or bag check services. Any bag that fails security screening must be returned to your vehicle or surrendered at the gate.

Can I bring a diaper bag to family events or hockey games?

Yes. Diaper bags are permitted when accompanied by an infant or toddler. While diaper bags do not strictly need to be clear, they must be manually searched and approved by a security supervisor at entry.

How are medical bags and breast pumps handled?

Bags containing medically necessary supplies, monitors, prescription gear, or breast pumps are permitted. Notify the gate officer on approach so your items can undergo physical inspection at the supervisor checkpoint.

Can I bring a blanket to Green Bay Gamblers hockey games?

Blankets are generally permitted into the arena for cold hockey games, provided they are carried loosely over your arm and shaken out for security. However, you cannot transport blankets inside an oversized, non-clear tote bag.

Are cameras permitted at Resch Center concerts?

Small personal point-and-shoot cameras without detachable lenses are typically allowed for sporting events and family shows. For concerts, professional camera bodies, external flashes, and detachable telephoto lenses are prohibited by tour promoters.

What should I do if my bag is rejected at the entrance?

If security denies your bag, you must return it to your personal vehicle before entering. If you arrived via rideshare, you will need to transfer your phone, wallet, and keys to your pockets or an approved clear bag and discard the prohibited carrier.

Conclusion

Passing through security at the Resch Center is straightforward when you stick to the verified guidelines: carry a transparent tote under 12" x 6" x 12", or choose a compact clutch under 8.5" x 5.5". Because on-site storage lockers do not exist, taking two minutes to measure your bag before leaving your vehicle will save you from a long, freezing walk across the Ashwaubenon parking corridors. Check your event details before heading out, pack light, and enjoy your time at the arena.

Bag policies can change by event, venue, season, and security team. Always confirm the latest rules on the official venue, park, team, festival, organizer, or event website before you leave. Information is checked for 2026 where available, but official sources should always be treated as the final authority.