New York Giants Official Website

Fans Entering Giants Stadium to Be Subject to "Pat Downs"

In order to further enhance fan safety and comfort, everyone entering Giants Stadium for Giants home games will be subject to hand searches beginning Sunday, September 11.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early at stadium gates to help facilitate this additional security measure. All fans entering Giants Stadium will be subject to and should expect to be patted down by security personnel before going through stadium gates.

"Pat downs" of fans entering NFL stadiums have taken place on a frequent basis in recent years. Following discussion at a recent league meeting, Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and the NFL clubs determined that these hand searches should be a required element of stadium security procedures at all NFL games.

"This new requirement is not a result of any specific threat information," said Commissioner Tagliabue. "It is in recognition of the significant additional security that 'pat-downs' offer, as well as the favorable experience that our clubs and fans have had using 'pat-downs' as part of a comprehensive stadium security plan."

Several NFL teams successfully used pat-downs as part of stadium security procedures last season. Hand searches of all fans entering stadiums also were employed during all NFL playoff games last season. Pat-downs at stadium gates have been part of the Super Bowl security plan since 2002.