Opened in 2019, the Chase Center stands as a shining beacon in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, a state-of-the-art arena that has quickly become the heart of sports and entertainment in the Bay Area. Primarily known as the formidable home of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, this architectural marvel boasts a seating capacity of 18,064 and was designed with an unparalleled fan experience in mind. From its cutting-edge technology and incredible sightlines to its vast array of culinary offerings, every detail is meticulously crafted to ensure visitors have an unforgettable time. Beyond basketball, the venue hosts a packed calendar of world-class concerts, family shows, and corporate events, making it a year-round destination. For convenience, guests with belongings can find a Chase Center storage point, ensuring that even those with extra items can navigate the venue’s entry requirements with ease.
However, the experience extends far beyond the arena’s walls. The Chase Center is the anchor of Thrive City, a vibrant 11-acre district with publicly accessible plazas and spaces. This community gathering space is a destination in its own right, featuring restaurants and retail shops alongside open-air areas. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of restaurants and retail shops, engage with large-scale public art installations, or simply relax and soak in the energetic atmosphere. Thrive City often hosts a variety of health and wellness events, farmers’ markets, and pre-event activations, offering something for everyone whether they have a ticket to the main event or are just exploring the neighborhood. This integrated design creates a seamless and immersive environment, transforming a trip to a game or concert into a full-day adventure.
Chase Center Bag Policy
Getting through security quickly starts with knowing the official Chase Center bag policy. The arena has clear rules to keep people safe and speed up screening. These rules are enforced, so read them before you go. The goal is simple: let guests bring essential items while keeping larger bags that can block aisles or slow down lines out of the arena. Security staff check every entrance, doing visual checks and using screening tools to make sure items follow the rules.
This policy helps reduce wait times and keeps crowds moving. It also protects other guests and staff. So, learning the rules ahead of time is worth the few minutes it takes.
Types of Bags Allowed
Yes, you can bring a bag into the Chase Center, but it must fit specific size limits. Allowed bags cannot be larger than 14 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 14 inches high. That size fits a standard tote, a purse, or a small personal bag. You can carry your wallet, phone, keys, a small souvenir, and a light jacket.
Parenting bags with items for babies and medical bags for health needs are also allowed. Medical bags larger than the standard size may be subject to additional screening. If you pick a bag that fits the stated dimensions, you almost always get through quickly.
A quick tip: choose a bag that holds only what you need. It saves time and makes moving around easier. I once brought a big tote and regretted it. Lesson learned.
Types of Bags Not Allowed
The banned list is short and important. The biggest rule: backpacks of any size are prohibited, with an exception for single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the arena’s bag-size requirements. Small fashion backpacks are still prohibited. This is part of the chase center bag rules, so leave standard backpacks at home, in your car, or in storage.
Other things not allowed include hard-sided bags, coolers, suitcases, and any bag larger than 14" x 6" x 14". If you come with a bag that breaks the rules, you will not be allowed to bring it inside. The rule exists to keep everyone safe and to keep walkways clear.
Chase Center Lockers
If you do show up with a banned bag, there is a backup plan. The Chase Center does not have open self-service lockers, but it does offer a bag check facility on-site. You can find it on the exterior of Chase Center on Warriors Way. There is a fee, and you can retrieve your items after the event.
Using bag check adds time to your trip. Lines can form before and after big events. Because of these downsides, it’s smarter to plan ahead and bring a compliant bag or use off-site storage when you can. Relying on bag check should be a last resort.
Chase Center Transportation
Getting to the Chase Center is easier than many people expect because of good public transit links. The best option is the Muni Metro. The T Third line stops at UCSF/Chase Center, right in front of the arena on 3rd Street. That drop-off puts you steps away from the entrance. On event days, the S Shuttle Mission Bay also provides service to Chase Center.
Muni buses also serve the area. Useful routes include the 15 Bayview Hunters Point Express, the 22 Fillmore, the 48 Quintara/24th Street, and the 55 Dogpatch. They connect the arena to many neighborhoods in the city.
If you’re coming from the Peninsula or South Bay, Caltrain is handy. The Caltrain station at 4th and King is under a mile away, a 15–20 minute walk through Mission Bay. You can also take a short Muni ride from Caltrain to the arena.
Other options: BART links the Bay Area and connects with Muni for service to Chase Center. Ferry service is also available for Warriors and Valkyries home games, with ferries serving Pier 48, about a 12-minute walk from Chase Center. Advance reservations are required for this ferry service. With so many transit choices, driving is often the least convenient due to heavy traffic and limited parking.
Bring a transit card or check your event ticket before you go. Chase Center event tickets generally serve as a free Muni pass on the day of the event, making public transit an especially convenient option.
Chase Center Camera Policy
The Chase Center welcomes photos from fans but has rules about camera gear. For most events, you can use a personal camera or your phone to take pictures. The key rule is that professional photography and recording equipment are prohibited.
Professional equipment is not allowed. That includes professional cameras, lenses over 3 inches in length, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and professional audio or video recording gear. These items will be refused at security or you will have to store them elsewhere.
Some concerts change the policy. Artists or tour managers can impose additional photography restrictions for their shows. So check the event page first. It avoids disappointment and helps you follow the rules.
Chase Center Food Policy
The Chase Center does not allow outside food or drinks inside the arena. This includes snacks, meals, bottled water, reusable water bottles, beverages in cans, glass, or thermoses. Guests must throw away or return these items before entering security. The venue offers many food and drink options inside, from classic stadium fare to higher-end local choices.
There are limited exceptions. Baby food, plastic baby bottles, and formula are permitted. Guests who need medically necessary food or beverages should contact Guest Experiences before their visit regarding an accommodation.
Plan to eat before arrival or buy food inside. That said, the concessions are varied and good enough for most visitors.
Other Chase Center Rules & Information
The Chase Center is a cashless venue. Concessions and shops accept credit, debit, and mobile pay like Apple Pay and Google Pay. If you only have cash, Cash-to-Card kiosks let you load cash onto a prepaid debit card to spend inside. This setup speeds up lines and is more hygienic.
There is also a strict no re-entry policy. Once your ticket is scanned and you go in, you cannot leave and come back. Make sure you have everything before you pass through security. The arena is smoke-free, including e-cigarettes and vaporizers. Thrive City also prohibits smoking of any kind. Violators can be ejected without a refund.
Other prohibited items include weapons, illegal drugs, air horns and other noisemakers, professional cameras, laptops or computers without proper credentials, tablets, and oversized signs, flags, banners, or posters. Current venue guidance states that signs, flags, banners, and posters may not exceed 8.5" x 11" and may not be attached to a pole or stick. A complete list of banned items is available on the Chase Center site, and reading it helps avoid surprises.
Tips for Visitors
The most important tip is to check the official Chase Center website on the day of your event. Event pages list any special rules, like a stricter camera policy for certain concerts, or last-minute transit changes. The official site gives the most up-to-date info, more reliable than third-party pages.
Travel light. Use a small, compliant bag like a tote, a small purse, or a wristlet. Clear bags aren’t required. If you carry only your essentials—phone, wallet, keys, ticket—you’ll move through security faster and enjoy the event more. Pack smart.
If you must bring large items, don’t let that ruin your evening. Instead of risking being turned away or paying for on-site bag check, consider using off-site storage like Qeepl luggage storage. You can book online, drop items at a partner business, and pick them up after the event. Storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000. It’s a simple, stress-free option. I used Qeepl once and it made the night far more relaxed.
Arrive early to avoid last-minute queues. If you use public transit, allow extra time for crowds. Also, bring a small backup plan: a portable battery for your phone can be a lifesaver. Actually—scratch that. Maybe two small batteries.
FAQ
Can I bring a bag to the Chase Center?
Yes, you can bring a bag into the Chase Center, but it must be no larger than 14 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 14 inches high. This accommodates most purses and small personal bags. However, backpacks are prohibited, with an exception for single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the arena’s bag-size requirements.
Can I bring a purse to Chase stadium?
Yes, purses are allowed at the Chase Center as long as they do not exceed the maximum size of 14" x 6" x 14". Most standard purses, totes, and clutches fit within this rule. Backpack-style purses are prohibited, so ensure your bag is not a backpack to comply with the venue’s policy.
What can you bring to the Warriors game?
To a Warriors game, you can bring a small bag (max 14"x6"x14") and a personal camera that complies with the venue’s camera rules. Single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the size requirements are also permitted. Prohibited items include standard backpacks, outside food and beverages including bottled water, professional cameras, oversized signs, and noisemakers.
Can I bring a water bottle into Chase stadium?
No. Chase Center prohibits outside beverages, including bottled water and reusable water bottles. Baby food, plastic baby bottles, and formula are permitted, and guests who require medically necessary food or beverages should contact Guest Experiences about an accommodation before their visit.
