No bags allowed for WSL game??

[WashingAt30]

We've booked to take the DC to their first big football game, Chelsea vs Man U women at Stamford Bridge. Just realised you are not allowed to take in bags larger than A4?! We are have having a proper day trip travelling into London and can't really survive without a couple of backpack with water, snacks, plasters, lunch etc. What do we do? Is there anywhere we can leave our bags beforehand?

Stamford Bridge recommend you use Stasher

Luggage Storage in London, 286 Options From £4.75 Per Bag (stasher.com)

But as you can each have a bag that size, and your lunch could be in a separate bag that can be folded up inside the main bag once you've finished it, perhaps you could manage without stashing?

On drinks, not that you can't take in bottles over 500ml, any glass bottles or any cans. They also ban umbrellas and selfie sticks

I recently read that at White Hart Lane you can't have ANY bags at all? I can't see how to make this work as we would be travelling for several hours in a train there and back!

I reckon you can manage fine.
I used a thin nylon-cord bag, packs down to nothing.
Just eat all your lunch before you arrive; put the lunch in plain plastic bags not boxes.
With this cold weather, people are wearing big coats which can be quite stuffed with useful items.
Wembley (has the A4 rule) you can only bring in a very small water bottle, check for bottle size limit.

Hoody with big pouch.
Cargo pants.
Lunch in bag that will fold up into a pocket once eaten.

We had this when we went to a concert, they had a bit of A4 paper to put the bag against to measure it. Wear clothes with pockets and put food into a thin or disposable bag and eat before, you can't take it in anyway.

This is normal, there isn't much space under the seats. Lots of options, smaller bags, eat lunch beforehand, wear all the gloves, hats etc instead of having them in bags.

The A4 rule is fairly common now, and I think it's borne out of crowd safety in an emergency evacuation.
We usually fit essentials in a small bag each and eat any food beforehand. Check their rules on water bottles, too.
Enjoy the game!

I was told this before I went to the Arsenal v Chelsea WSL game at the emirates. I had a rucksack, the ROKA bags so bigger than A4. It got searched but its size wasn’t an issue

Wow. What concert was that? Never seen them actually measure it. Usually if it's a sensible size back pack you get away with it.

Standard for lots footy grounds.
Wear coat with loads pockets.
Lunch in carrier bag.

Plus bomb threats & water bottle = missiles.

Old Trafford is the same. No bags. At all. Nothing

I have a crossbody bag that is approximately that size for concerts. Last time it was used it had 2 water bottles, a baguette, crisps, large purse, phone and still had space for a cardigan.

its really not that small if you have one bag each.

Plasters? Why?

You don’t need two filled backpacks of stuff for a day in London. There are many many shops

It’s the drink thing for me, i am also going to that match but have been to several ladies matches. The no drinks rule is annoying especially if you only drink certain drinks. So you end up having to buy one there.

@Mindovermatter247
It'll never be in a bottle with a lid.
As people throw them.
At crowds at players.
That's why

I’m quite aware thanks, I’m just saying it’s highly annoying..

You'll have plenty of room.
4 x A4 size bags. Surely that's all you'd take anyway ?
You'll also have eaten your snack by then.
You can wear your coat / hoodie / whatever makes your bag oversized to go in.

Not seeing what the issue is.

@Mindovermatter247 apologies.
Loads just don't realise and assume it's just to make money. They don't realise it's a serious safety issue

I've used the App Radical Storage which allows you to store bags in local shops etc.
Reasonably priced and easy to use, maybe pack bags into one large to only for 1 bag charge.

Thanks all, I think we are going to take the DC's small rucksacks, the Chelsea website says 30x20x10cm max, and one bag is 30x22x10cm - do you think we will get away with this?
Also I presume the DC's 500ml metal water bottles will be OK?

As for the plasters, are mine the only DC who will without fail trip or fall or bash their arm on every trip out? And plasters always make things better!

I'd take soft plastic single use water bottles, my DD's hard plastic drink bottle wasn't allowed into a rugby game last year (they make excellent projectiles!)

Also I presume the DC's 500ml metal water bottles will be OK?

No that's what every has been saying.... you'll have to buy drinks inside.

No bottles of any description, they can be used as missiles so they get confiscated at the bag search. If they sell bottled drinks inside they will have the lids taken off. That's another reason bags need to be small so they can be searched quickly. Basically the expectation is that you don't bring anything to the ground that you don't need during the match, the most I ever take to a game is a small bag containing warm hat, gloves etc.

Quick check online. Tottenham Stadium adopts the a4 policy.

Old Trafford does too, it also has a bag drop available on site for a fiver on match day.

Not been to Stamford Bridge myself OP, but err on the side of caution with bags to avoid disappointment. And definitely don’t take your water bottles.