PNC Arena to introduce clear bag policy for 2019-20 NHL season

If you’ve become accustomed to bringing bags into PNC Arena for Carolina Hurricanes games, heads up: your gameday routine will likely need to change for next season.

The Hurricanes announced Friday that PNC Arena will be implementing a clear bag policy beginning with the first Hurricanes home preseason game on September 18. The new policy is similar to policies in place in other sporting venues across the country, including at every NFL stadium, and is nearly identical to the clear bag policy adopted by N.C. State University in 2016 for football games at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The new policy will apply to all events at the arena, including Hurricanes and Wolfpack games, shows, conventions and concerts. Individual events may elect to enforce a more strict policy than the arena policy at their discretion.

“The clear bag policy is an additional security measure that complements our standards for safety and security at PNC Arena,” said Hurricanes GM Don Waddell, who also serves as the president of Gale Force Sports and Entertainment, the operator of PNC Arena. “The new guidelines support a safer environment and allows us to enhance the efficiency of entry for guests.”

Under the policy, bags must be clear and made of plastic, vinyl or PVC, and must be no larger than 12”x12”x6”. Small clutches or purses are also allowed, as are one-gallon plastic freezer bags. Guests will be limited to bringing no more than one of the above options into the arena. Diaper bags and bags that are medically necessary are also permitted, and will be inspected by security personnel prior to admittance.

Guests who attempt to bring a bag into the arena that does not conform to the new policy will be denied admission and instructed to return the non-compliant bag to their vehicle before being allowed to enter the arena.

Additional information about the new policy is available at pncarena.com/Policies.