Outside food policies at Nationals Park (UPDATED)

Many of us have had questions this spring about whether there will be new policies at Nationals Park regarding outside food, cameras, or other restrictions. To date, nothing has appeared on the team’s web site, but we have dug up the outside food policy, and here it is:

All food items must be contained in single serving bags within a soft-sided container or cooler that does not exceed 16″x16″x8″. Metal, plastic or glass containers of any kind (except for clear, factory-sealed or empty, plastic water bottles, no larger than one liter, juice boxes, insulin containers, and baby food) are prohibited at Nationals Park. Only one water bottle per person will be permitted. 

Regarding food, “single serving bag” sounds quite broad and lenient. Even for those of us eager to sample the new food vendors this year, it’s awfully nice to know that you can bring in a big bottle of water.

UPDATE 2018: The Washington Nationals food policy has hardly changed over 10 years, and in practice, the enforcement has been quite friendly.

For example, multiple sealed water bottles have been permitted in practice, as long as the total doesn’t exceed 1 liter per person for all the people in your party, and even that is relaxed on hot summer days. The water simply must be unopened. In other words, if you are with a family, and have a backpack with 8 half-liter bottles of water, they aren’t going to turn you away.

Outside food is similarly lenient. Yes, you can bring in a 12″ sub if you like, or a bag of burgers from Five Guys, or even a container full of cookies. As long as you’re not bringing in a big Igloo cooler full of food, you’re probably fine.

If you want to sail through security, bring your outside food in a clear bag. Your subs can be wrapped in paper, but carry them all in a clear bag and things will move faster.

Flickr photo by Scott Ableman