The short answer: at Anfield, bags larger than A5 are generally not allowed in, and at the Hill Dickinson Stadium the limit is A4. Every bag is searched at both grounds. Pyrotechnics, outside alcohol and vapes are out at both. Anfield has a paid bag drop near the Kop for anything bigger; at Bramley-Moore Dock there is no left luggage at the ground, so you need to leave larger bags in the city. With Christmas shopping, festive fixtures and the derby on 29 November all coming up, this is the season when people get caught out.
Anfield: the rules in brief
Liverpool has set out its stadium rules for Anfield events in its supporter information for events at the ground. The main points:
- Bags: nothing larger than A5, with the exception of medication or medical equipment that will not fit, which the club may allow at its discretion. All bags are searched.
- Bag drop: run by the LFC Foundation at Christ Church, 157 Hartnup Street, L5 1UW, directly opposite the Kop. The club has quoted £5 for small bags up to holdall size and £10 for suitcases or very large bags, card only. It opens three hours before kick-off and closes one hour after the final whistle, and items are left at your own risk.
- Smoking and vaping: not allowed anywhere in the stadium, including e-cigarettes.
- Pyrotechnics and smoke devices: illegal, and the club warns of bans and police referral.
- Flags: larger than 2m by 1m only with prior approval and a fire safety certificate.
- Payment: the stadium is cashless, so bring a contactless card or phone.
- Children: under-16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
Rules can be updated for individual fixtures, so always read the club’s matchday information for the specific game before you set off.
The Hill Dickinson: the rules in brief
Football Ground Guide’s explainer on the bag policy, updated in late October 2026, sets out the position for both home and away supporters at Everton’s ground:
- Bags: no larger than A4, small enough to be searched quickly, and containing only essentials.
- No left luggage: there is no bag storage at the stadium, so larger bags need to be left at city centre luggage services or at home.
- Banned: flares, flash bangs and other pyrotechnics; smoking items including e-cigarettes; alcohol brought from outside; discriminatory or offensive material; and anything that could be thrown or used for anti-social behaviour.
- Medical needs: supporters who need a larger bag for medical or accessibility reasons can apply for an exemption in advance, and the guide advises applying at least 24 hours before kick-off.
As with Anfield, check Everton’s own matchday guide for the specific fixture, because conditions can change for high-profile games.
The Christmas shopping problem
December home games collide with Christmas shopping. A carrier bag of presents from town will not fit the rules at either ground. Options:
- Shop after the match, not before.
- Use a city centre luggage service on your way through.
- At Anfield, use the Foundation bag drop opposite the Kop, and budget for the fee.
- Get it delivered. You will not be carrying it home through a crowd either.
If you are arriving by car or shuttle, leaving shopping in the boot is the simplest answer. Sefton Council’s matchday travel guidance points drivers coming from the north to the Strand multi-storey in Bootle, which stays open until 11pm on matchdays, with shuttle buses from the bus station.
Dressing for a winter match on Merseyside
A small bag limit means you wear what you need rather than carry it. A few suggestions from years of cold afternoons:
- Layers over bulk. A thermal base layer and a fleece under a waterproof beat one heavy coat that leaves you sweating on the train and freezing in the seat.
- Hat and gloves in your pockets. They take no bag space at all.
- Waterproof, not umbrella. Umbrellas are a nuisance in a crowd and may not be welcome inside.
- Proper shoes. The walk from Sandhills or across Stanley Park in the rain is no place for canvas trainers.
- A dockside extra. The Hill Dickinson sits right on the river; if the forecast is for wind, add a layer more than you would for Anfield.
What is worth bringing
- Your phone, charged, with your digital ticket already downloaded. Liverpool has said a single device can hold up to four tickets.
- A contactless card. Anfield is cashless, and card is the safe bet at Bramley-Moore too.
- Any medication you need, in a small bag, plus paperwork if you have an exemption.
- A small portable charger, if it fits in a pocket.
Accessibility and medical needs
If you or someone you are bringing needs more than a small bag allows, such as medication, a stoma kit, or equipment for a child, sort it out before matchday rather than at the turnstile. Liverpool says larger bags for medical reasons are allowed at its discretion, and the Hill Dickinson guidance describes an exemption you apply for in advance. Contact the club’s accessibility team in good time, keep any confirmation on your phone, and arrive early so a steward has time to deal with it calmly.
What gets people turned back
Most turnstile problems come from three things: a rucksack, a vape, or a ticket that will not load. All three are avoidable with ten minutes’ planning the night before. If you are hosting someone from out of town, send them this page along with our guide for visiting fans, and agree a meeting point using the tips in our Stanley Park walk if you are going to Anfield. For the derby itself, our 29 November guide covers tickets and travel.