Fans attending the 2017 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament in Nashville will be asked to enter the event with clear bags and should be prepared to arrive early and to see a law enforcement presence in and around Bridgestone Arena, the Conference office has announced. The tournament will be held March 8-12.
The SEC strongly encourages fans not to bring any type of bags to the tournament, but bags must be clear or otherwise a small clutch bag to be allowed into the arena.
Gates open for the arena 75 minutes prior to the first game of each day of the tournament to accommodate early arriving fans.
Bags must satisfy the guidelines below in order to be taken into the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament:
· Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
· One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
· Small clutch bags, no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap
· An exception will be made for medically necessary items after proper inspection at a gate designated for this purpose
Prohibited items include, but are not limited to: purses larger than a small clutch bag, coolers, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, cinch bags, seat cushions, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size (12” x 6” x 12”).
Items that are typically carried in diaper or baby bags must be carried in a clear bag that meets the standards of the bag policy.
For those fans that arrive at the tournament with impermissible bags, a Bag Exchange Station will be located inside the Sunkist Soda SEC FanFare where fans can leave impermissible bags and in exchange receive a permissible clear bag to use in the arena. Fans may retrieve their impermissible bags from the Bag Exchange Station upon departure.
Fans may still bring items such as binoculars and cameras (with lens less than 4 inches in length), provided they are not in cases, as well as smart phones into each arena.
Working personnel, including media, will continue to enter the arena through designated gates where they will be subject to screening and bag inspections already in effect for the tournament.
Any fan who witnesses suspicious activity at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville should notify uniformed security personnel, or call (615) 770-2050.
The SEC is encouraging fans to arrive early and leave any unnecessary items at home or in their cars. Fans who bring any bag into the arena should anticipate being delayed for search and bag exchange.
UK Athletics
Eric Lindsey
Associate Director of Media Relations