CMA Fest Bag Policy: What You Can and Can’t Bring
Your quick guide to approved bags and what to leave behind.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Date Published: May 30, 2026
One of the most-asked CMA Fest questions is simple: Can I bring my bag to CMA Fest?
The short answer is yes, but it needs to follow CMA Fest’s clear bag policy.
While I’m usually a less-is-more person when it comes to festival days, it is important to keep your essentials with you during a long day in downtown Nashville. You can check out my CMA Fest packing list for everything I recommend bringing, but this guide focuses specifically on what kind of bag you can bring to CMA Fest, what is not allowed, and what to do if you are heading downtown with luggage.
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CMA Fest Clear Bag Policy
Clear bags are required at official CMA Fest venues and stages, including Fan Fair X and Nissan Stadium.
Each person is allowed to bring:
One approved clear bag
One approved small clutch or wallet
Approved clear bags must be made of clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot be larger than 12” x 12” x 6”.
In addition to the clear bag, you may also bring a small clutch or wallet that is 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller.
Every bag is subject to inspection when entering CMA Fest venues and stages. You should expect to go through a security check, and your bag may be searched before you are allowed inside.
This is especially important to keep in mind when planning your schedule. If you are bouncing between stages, Fan Fair X, daytime events, and Nissan Stadium, you do not want to lose time because your bag does not meet the rules.
What Happens If My Bag Is Not Allowed?
If your bag does not follow the CMA Fest clear bag policy, you may be turned away at the entrance.
That means you would need to take the bag back to your hotel, your vehicle, or another storage option before entering. During CMA Fest, that can take a lot of time, especially with crowds, road closures, rideshare delays, and long walks downtown.
It is much easier to choose an approved bag before you leave for the day than to try to solve the problem once you are already at the gate. I listed some of my favorite approved bags below that are perfect for CMA Fest.
Security staff are not trying to ruin your day or make you miss performances. These rules are posted in advance, and they are doing their job to help keep festival attendees safe. Take a few minutes before your trip to make sure your bag meets the guidelines.
What Bags Are Allowed at CMA Fest?
Approved bags include clear bags that are 12” x 12” x 6” or smaller.
Examples of allowed clear bag styles include:
Clear backpacks
Clear crossbody bags
Clear tote bags
Clear fanny packs
Clear diaper bags
Clear drawstring bags
Gallon-size clear plastic freezer bags
The key is that the bag must be clear and must fit within the approved size limit.
Accepted Clear Bag Styles
There are plenty of functional, fashionable, and most importantly, festival-friendly clear bags available. Here are a few styles to consider before your CMA Fest trip.
Backpack Style
A clear backpack can be a good option if you like to keep your hands free and need room for items like sunscreen, sunglasses, a portable charger, a poncho, or other festival essentials. I prefer this $10 backpack from Amazon.
This style may be best for fans who plan to spend the full day downtown and want one main bag for their essentials.
Crossbody Style
A clear crossbody bag is one of the easiest options for CMA Fest because it keeps your items close without feeling bulky.
This is a good pick for under $13 if you want something smaller than a backpack but still need room for your phone, ID, cards, sunscreen, and a few basics.
Tote Bag Style
A clear tote bag gives you a little more open space and can be easy to pack and unpack during security checks.
This bag from Amazon can be a good option if you want quick access to your items throughout the day. It can also be helpful if you plan to bring home 8x10 photos or other autographed items and want to keep them from getting smashed in your bag. Plus, it’s less than $9, so a big win!
Clear Fanny Pack or Belt Bag
A clear fanny pack or belt bag is a great choice if you want to carry only the essentials.
This is ideal for fans who do not want to carry much but still need a place for their phone, ID, credit card, lip balm, and other small items.
Can I Bring a Small Purse or Wallet?
Yes, CMA Fest allows a small clutch or wallet in addition to one approved clear bag.
The clutch or wallet must be 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller.
This is a good place to keep items like your ID, credit card, hotel key, cash, or other small personal items. Just remember that the small clutch or wallet is still subject to inspection.
What Bags Are Not Allowed at CMA Fest?
Prohibited bags include, but are not limited to:
Non-clear bags
Mesh bags
Tinted plastic bags
Clear bags with printed patterns that make the inside difficult to see
Clear bags larger than 12” x 12” x 6”
Coolers
Seat cushions
Large purses
Oversized backpacks
Suitcases
If you are questioning whether your bag is too large or too unclear, it is probably best to choose a different one.
Are Diaper Bags Allowed at CMA Fest?
Diaper bags are allowed as long as they follow the CMA Fest clear bag policy.
That means the diaper bag needs to be clear and no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”.
If you are bringing children to CMA Fest, plan ahead and choose a clear diaper bag that fits the size requirements. Keep in mind that the bag will still be checked at security.
Are There Medical Exceptions?
Yes, CMA Fest notes that exceptions may be made for medically necessary items.
If you need to bring medical supplies, keep them organized and allow extra time for inspection. It is also a good idea to check the official CMA Fest FAQs before your trip so you know the most current instructions before arriving at the gate.
Can I Bring a Suitcase to CMA Fest?
No, you should not bring a suitcase to CMA Fest venues, stages, bars, or other crowded downtown events.
If you are flying into Nashville and want to head straight downtown for CMA Fest, make a plan for your luggage first. Drop your bags at your hotel if possible, check whether your hotel can hold luggage before check-in, or use a luggage storage service in Nashville.
Large bags and suitcases are not practical downtown during CMA Fest. Venues are crowded, sidewalks are packed, and there simply is not room to drag luggage around from place to place. There are also security concerns, and many venues will not allow oversized bags inside.
Are There Lockers at Nissan Stadium?
Storage lockers may be available outside Nissan Stadium for oversized bags and prohibited items that are not allowed into the stadium. In past CMA Fest information, lockers have been listed outside Gates 3 and 9, starting at $10.
Do not discard, hide, or leave prohibited bags or items outside the stadium gates or in landscaping areas. Unattended items may be confiscated.
Because locker availability, pricing, and locations can change, check the most current CMA Fest information before relying on lockers as your main plan.
Do I Need a Clear Bag Everywhere at CMA Fest?
For official CMA Fest venues and stages, plan on needing a clear bag.
That includes Nissan Stadium and the official CMA Fest daytime stages. If you are going from one official CMA Fest location to another, it is safest to carry an approved clear bag all day.
Even if you are not sure whether a certain area will check bags, having an approved clear bag will make your day easier. You will not have to keep switching bags or worrying about whether you will be turned away.
What About Fan Fair X?
Fan Fair X is part of the official CMA Fest experience, so you should plan to follow the CMA Fest clear bag policy there as well.
Fan Fair X is located inside Music City Center and includes meet and greets, indoor stages, shopping, games, and more. Since it is a major official CMA Fest location, do not bring a non-approved bag.
What About Bars, Hotels, Restaurants, and Other Nashville Events?
Outside of official CMA Fest locations, bag rules can vary.
Some Broadway bars, honky-tonks, restaurants, hotels, rooftops, the Grand Ole Opry, and special events may have their own bag policies. Some may allow regular purses, while others may limit large bags, backpacks, or luggage. During CMA Fest, security can also be stricter because downtown Nashville is so crowded.
If you are attending a separate ticketed event, fan party, club show, rooftop event, Opry show, or hotel event, check that venue’s bag policy before you leave. The safest approach is to carry a small approved clear bag during the day and avoid bringing anything oversized.
What Should I Put in My CMA Fest Bag?
Once you have the right clear bag, the next step is deciding what actually goes inside it.
I have a separate CMA Fest packing guide with the essentials I recommend bringing for a long day in downtown Nashville, including items for the heat, your phone, personal safety, and festival comfort.
Now that you know the CMA Fest bag policy, you can avoid one of the biggest festival-day headaches before you even leave your hotel. Choose an approved clear bag, keep it within the size limits, and check the official CMA Fest guidelines before your trip in case anything changes.
CMA Fest Bag Policy FAQ
What size clear bag can I bring to CMA Fest?
Clear bags must be made of clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and cannot be larger than 12” x 12” x 6”.
Can I bring a small purse to CMA Fest?
You can bring a small clutch or wallet that is 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller in addition to one approved clear bag.
Can I bring a backpack to CMA Fest?
You can bring a backpack only if it is clear and no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”. Non-clear backpacks are not allowed.
Can I bring a fanny pack to CMA Fest?
Yes, clear fanny packs are allowed as long as they follow the size rules. A small non-clear clutch or wallet is allowed only if it is 4.5” x 6.5” or smaller.
Are diaper bags allowed at CMA Fest?
Diaper bags are allowed if they are clear and no larger than 12” x 12” x 6”.
Can I bring a suitcase to CMA Fest?
No. Suitcases and oversized bags should not be brought to CMA Fest venues or downtown events. Drop luggage at your hotel or use a luggage storage service before heading to the festival.
Do I need a clear bag for Nissan Stadium?
Yes. Nissan Stadium follows the clear bag policy for CMA Fest.
Do I need a clear bag for Fan Fair X?
Plan on following the CMA Fest clear bag policy for Fan Fair X because it is part of the official CMA Fest experience.
Are medical bags allowed at CMA Fest?
CMA Fest notes that medically necessary items may be allowed as exceptions, but they are subject to inspection. Check the official CMA Fest FAQs before your trip for the most current details.
Should I bring a clear bag even if I am only going downtown during the day?
Yes. If you are attending official CMA Fest stages or events, bring an approved clear bag. Even outside official events, a small clear bag is often the easiest option during CMA Fest week.
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