Bag Limit Size Ban at The Valley

Isn't this the case at most venues across the country? I assumed it was the same at The Valley already tbf

How is someone meant to attend an evening game post work with a laptop etc.

FFS, I have to carry stuff with me for medical reasons. Am assuming they’ll do exemptions and hope they’ll do a season one rather than individual games, especially knowing how useless they can be with things like this 

DaveMehmet said:

FFS, I have to carry stuff with me for medical reasons. Am assuming they’ll do exemptions and hope they’ll do a season one rather than individual games, especially knowing how useless they can be with things like this 

"An exception may be made for medical bags (subject to inspection and approval) and baby changing bags (for those attending with infants). All exception items will be thoroughly searched upon entry."

Doesn't say how you get that approved though. Which is also piss poor.

Good luck.

Sheepie1985 said:

This seems to have snuck in as a rule completely unannounced from Saturday's game that bags bigger than A4 are banned from The Valley, CAST are on the case but I'm disappointed at the zero communication from the club about it, especially as I often have a rucksack with me to carry a coat & water, or whenever I come straight from work so I imagine it'll affect other fans too

https://www.castrust.org/2026/08/cast-calls-on-club-to-provide-bag-drop/

For years and years I've taken a rucksack in with me (containing snacks, flask of tea during winter, charging pack, fleece/jumper in case it gets colder later in the afternoon/evening, cap/beanie/scarf) but at the opening home game the steward checking our bags said that he let us off that day but in future be mindful that bags can't be bigger than A4 size.

Of the 20,000 who attend matches how many actually take in a bag? (I'm not counting women with their handbags or people who have come from the club shop). I doubt it's that many to be honest so where's the problem?

I can understand people not being allowed to rock up with a suitcase but a normal-sized rucksack?

As others have said this is going to be a problem for those coming straight from work for midweek matches. Attendances at Tuesday night games aren't the greatest at the best of times but something like this won't help.

fenlandaddick said:

Buy a bag from the Valley store.  put your rucksack in it 😁

Or buy a proper bag from valley store, I assume they have sports bags or rucksacks. Keep the tags on and use that every week saying you have just bought it

They've got that one covered:

THE VALLEY EVENT DAY BAG POLICY 

To ensure the safety and security of entry of all spectators, Charlton Athletic enforces a strict bag size policy limiting the size and types of bags that the club allows to enter The Valley on an event day.

PERMITTED BAGS

Only bags that meet the following criteria will be allowed into the stadium:

• Maximum size: A4 (21cm x 29.7cm / 8.3in x 11.7in) and must be soft-sided and flexible where possible. For example, small handbags, tote bags (A4 or smaller) or small backpacks (within A4 dimensions). Club-branded Charlton Athletic bags, which can be purchased from The Valley Superstore, are permitted. Plastic/paper bags issued with every purchase in The Valley Superstore will meet the criteria. You must not put any personal bags that do not meet the criteria into these bags.

PROHIBITED BAGS

The following items are not permitted: 

• Bags larger than A4 size, large backpacks or holdalls, suitcases or luggage of any kind, hard-sided containers (coolers, briefcases, etc) and sports bags or gym bags exceeding size limits

An exception may be made for medical bags (subject to inspection and approval) and baby changing bags (for those attending with infants). All exception items will be thoroughly searched upon entry.

SECURITY SCREENING

All bags are subject to mandatory security checks. Fans attending the event may be required to open and display contents with refusal to comply potentially resulting in denied entry.

STORAGE POLICY

The Valley does not currently provide storage facilities for oversized or prohibited bags, however, if special permission is requested and the safety team agree, there will be storage provided on an event-by-event basis.

Stadium security staff reserve the right to refuse entry for non-compliance.

REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with safety regulations and best practices.

https://www.cafc.co.uk/policies/bag-policy

redbuttle said:

Briston_Addick said:

Sheepie1985 said:

This seems to have snuck in as a rule completely unannounced from Saturday's game that bags bigger than A4 are banned from The Valley, CAST are on the case but I'm disappointed at the zero communication from the club about it, especially as I often have a rucksack with me to carry a coat & water, or whenever I come straight from work so I imagine it'll affect other fans too

https://www.castrust.org/2026/08/cast-calls-on-club-to-provide-bag-drop/

For years and years I've taken a rucksack in with me (containing snacks, flask of tea during winter, charging pack, fleece/jumper in case it gets colder later in the afternoon/evening, cap/beanie/scarf) but at the opening home game the steward checking our bags said that he let us off that day but in future be mindful that bags can't be bigger than A4 size.

Of the 20,000 who attend matches how many actually take in a bag? (I'm not counting women with their handbags or people who have come from the club shop). I doubt it's that many to be honest so where's the problem?

I can understand people not being allowed to rock up with a suitcase but a normal-sized rucksack?

As others have said this is going to be a problem for those coming straight from work for midweek matches. Attendances at Tuesday night games aren't the greatest at the best of times but something like this won't help.

It's actually the rule at most grounds and music venues. In fact you can't take food in most music venues.

Just as well the food on offer at the Valley is of a high standard.  

What about my pencil case and knick-knacks!?

One for those who've been around a while. 

The club are probably preparing for the implementation of Martyns Law

Officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, Martyn’s Law aims to ensure that all public venues — including sports grounds, arenas and recreational facilities — are better prepared to respond to the threat of terrorism. 

Since receiving Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, the Government has indicated that there’ll be an implementation period of at least 24 months before the Act comes into force. A key development is the publication of statutory guidance in April 2026, which provides practical detail on how organisations are expected to meet their obligations and shifts Martyn’s Law from a concept to a more operational framework.

For sports venues, this includes clearer expectations around:

• Evacuation and lockdown procedures.
• Staff training and awareness.
• Communication protocols during an incident.
• Proportionate security measures for larger venues.

https://www.brabners.com/insights/health-and-safety/martyns-law-legal-regulatory-implications-for-sports-venues

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/martyns-law-draft-section-12-statutory-guidance

https://www.protectuk.police.uk/martyns-law

Briston_Addick said:

fenlandaddick said:

Buy a bag from the Valley store.  put your rucksack in it 😁

Or buy a proper bag from valley store, I assume they have sports bags or rucksacks. Keep the tags on and use that every week saying you have just bought it

They've got that one covered:

THE VALLEY EVENT DAY BAG POLICY 

To ensure the safety and security of entry of all spectators, Charlton Athletic enforces a strict bag size policy limiting the size and types of bags that the club allows to enter The Valley on an event day.

PERMITTED BAGS

Only bags that meet the following criteria will be allowed into the stadium:

• Maximum size: A4 (21cm x 29.7cm / 8.3in x 11.7in) and must be soft-sided and flexible where possible. For example, small handbags, tote bags (A4 or smaller) or small backpacks (within A4 dimensions). Club-branded Charlton Athletic bags, which can be purchased from The Valley Superstore, are permitted. Plastic/paper bags issued with every purchase in The Valley Superstore will meet the criteria. You must not put any personal bags that do not meet the criteria into these bags.

PROHIBITED BAGS

The following items are not permitted: 

• Bags larger than A4 size, large backpacks or holdalls, suitcases or luggage of any kind, hard-sided containers (coolers, briefcases, etc) and sports bags or gym bags exceeding size limits

An exception may be made for medical bags (subject to inspection and approval) and baby changing bags (for those attending with infants). All exception items will be thoroughly searched upon entry.

SECURITY SCREENING

All bags are subject to mandatory security checks. Fans attending the event may be required to open and display contents with refusal to comply potentially resulting in denied entry.

STORAGE POLICY

The Valley does not currently provide storage facilities for oversized or prohibited bags, however, if special permission is requested and the safety team agree, there will be storage provided on an event-by-event basis.

Stadium security staff reserve the right to refuse entry for non-compliance.

REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure alignment with safety regulations and best practices.

https://www.cafc.co.uk/policies/bag-policy

I see an opening in the market for secure lockers like at a train station

As stated this is normal practice at most grounds these days as seen last night at Spurs  but once again we are less than 48 hours before the Preston game and the communication from the club has been lacking once again 

People don’t want to be turning up and having aggravation through something they were not made aware of  

I can see this effecting some women’s games quite a bit you often have families bringing in rucksacks with all sorts. Hopefully they pull their finger out and make everyone aware