No backpacks: rules to follow at Citi Field this season

New York welcomes baseball on Thursday with the Mets having their first game of the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For fans heading to Flushing for the game, there are plenty of rules to keep in mind to make the entry process smoother, such as making sure you have the right bag and aren’t carrying any items that could lead to trouble at the gates.

If you’re heading to Citi Field this week, or at any point throughout the summer, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

Bag Policy

Backpacks are prohibited inside Citi Field. Prohibiting backpacks offers Citi Field an opportunity to enhance security and expedite the security screening process for entering the ballpark.

Exceptions will be made for backpacks used for ADA/medical reasons. Backpacks; provided, however, and backpacks purchased inside Citi Field during the game or event at Citi Field are permitted for that day only.

There are exceptions to the rule for the following bag types:

• All purses, diaper bags that are not backpack-style, tote, drawstring and messenger style bags along with small soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 16″x16″x8″ are still permitted.
• Totally clear backpacks with no obscured interior pockets will also be permitted.

Prohibited bags include:

• All backpacks, regardless of size or style, with the exception of totally clear backpacks with no obscured interior pockets.
• Bags that exceed 16″x16″x8″.

The New York Mets are the 6th MLB team to prohibit backpacks, following the Astros, Cardinals, Nationals, Rays, and Tigers.

See the full list of prohibited items in the Citi Field Security Policy, available here.

Accesibility

All entry points at Citi Field are ADA Accessible. Guests with accessibility needs may also enter through designated accessible gates (Hodges, Seaver, or Stengel VIP entrances) even if their seating location does not grant them VIP entry.

Policy on sale of alcoholic beverages

It is the policy of Aramark to conduct the sale and service of alcoholic beverages in compliance with all applicable laws. Aramark has informed the Mets of the following Aramark alcohol service policies for Citi Field:

1. The sale and service of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the age of 21 or any visibly intoxicated person is prohibited.
2. The legal drinking age in New York is 21. To ensure that minors are not served, Aramark requires valid photo identification from every guest prior to the purchase of alcohol. ID must be presented for every sale. Accepted forms of identification include a valid driver’s license with picture, military ID with picture or valid passport with picture. Forms of identification not accepted are international driver’s license, NYC ID Cards and any vertical IDs. Digital IDs are not an acceptable form of ID.
3. A maximum of two drinks may be sold to a guest per transaction; this limit may be modified to less than the specified number at the discretion of Aramark management for special events or special circumstances.
4. Alcohol sales at concession stands will stop after the seventh inning or earlier at Aramark management discretion.
5. Alcohol sales in all Citi Field Suites will stop after the seventh inning or earlier at Aramark management discretion. Note: Consumption of alcohol will continue through the end of the game but must remain within the suites.
6. Alcohol sales in all Citi Field restaurants and clubs stop at the conclusion of an event. Alcohol sales in restaurants, suites and clubs may stop earlier at Aramark management discretion or at the request of the New York Mets management.

Note: Alcohol may be taken between levels and into all seating areas until the end of the seventh inning, at which time all alcohol must remain within club spaces. Clover/Fiserv seats, Hyundai seats, The Cadillac Club at Payson’s, Coors Light Fiesta Deck and Excelsior concourse and seats between 306-333 are considered “club spaces”. Once the game has ended, all alcohol must remain within the actual club in which it is purchased.

Bike Parking

Guests who wish to bike to Citi Field can utilize any of the 11 bicycle parking racks located outside of the ballpark. The locations of the bicycle parking racks are as follows: first base side of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, third base side of the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, outside the Right Field Gate on Seaver Way, and outside the Left Field Gate.

Credit Cards to use

MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express are accepted at all Mets ticket locations and outlets, and at all Citi Field merchandise and food locations.

Fan Assistance

(646) 438-5000

Guests experiencing an issue that is not related to the action on the playing field (i.e. broken seats, unruly fans, hazardous concourse conditions) should alert Ballpark Operations by calling or texting the Fan Assistance Number.

Guests can stop by these five (5) ballpark locations for directions, to store strollers and wheelchairs, or for general assistance. First Game certificates are also available.

Fan Assistance Stations are located at:

Field Level: Section 106 inside Fan Assistance HQ, Section 126 under the escalator, Section 142 next to the Shea Bridge

Excelsior Level: Section 306 at the base of the Coca Cola Corner ramp

Promenade Level: Section 412

Guest Code of Conduct

Citi Field visitors are asked to adhere to the following policies:

Language: Refrain from using foul, abusive, or derogatory language and obscene gestures.

Intervention: Any intervention with an impaired or intoxicated guest will be handled promptly and safely.

Dress: Obscene or indecent clothing is not permitted.

Seating: Present your ticket upon request and sit only in your assigned seat. Keep your ticket with you at all times (e-ticket on cellphone) with you at all times.

Conduct: Maintain behavior appropriate for a public, family setting and avoid disrupting the game or allowing unauthorized persons on the playing field.

Smoking: Smoking and the use of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are prohibited at Citi Field. Violators may be ejected and could lose ticket privileges.

Biometric Data Disclosure: Citi Field collects, retains, converts, stores, and shares customers’ biometric identifier information (e.g., facial scans, eye scans, and voiceprints).

For issues not related to on-field actions, please call or text the Fan Assistance Hotline at (646) 438-5000 or notify the nearest Citi Field personnel.

For more ballpark information, find the latest from Citi Field officials here.