Met Gala 2026 bizarre rules: No onion, no phones, no sitting with spouse

As the Met Gala gets under way, attention has shifted to its unusual rules on food, phones and seating. The rulebook underlines how tightly the fundraiser controls the guest experience, from entry to etiquette.

In Short

• As the Met Gala continues, its rulebook remains as much a part of the event
• Guests are deliberately seated away from spouses to spark fresh conversations
• Only adults aged 18 and above can attend the fashion fundraiser

As Hollywood’s biggest fashion night gets under way, attention has turned not only to the celebrities arriving at the Met Gala but also to the event’s unusual rulebook. The notoriously exclusive evening is known for its strict protocols, with the report noting that one misstep can lead to a permanent blacklist.

Anna Wintour, Vogue’s global editorial director and former editor-in-chief, has long been associated with the Met Gala’s tightly controlled format. From banned ingredients and a no-phone policy to a carefully planned seating arrangement, an age restriction, a smoking ban, a theme-led dress code and a high ticket price, the event runs on rules that guests are expected to follow.

No garlic or onion

Among the lesser-known rules is a ban on garlic and onion. The idea is to avoid unpleasant breath and keep interactions comfortable, while “messy” starters are also avoided to protect guests’ elaborate outfits. In a conversation with Jenna Bush Hager on The Today Show, Wintour shared her list of banned ingredients for the event. “Those are three things I’m not particularly fond of,” she said, referring to garlic, onion and chives.

Strict seating plan

The seating plan is another closely managed part of the evening. Organisers begin work on a detailed chart as early as December and finalise it by April, and attendees are not allowed to sit next to their spouse. Speaking to Vogue in 2023, organiser Eaddy Kiernan said every placement is thought through carefully. “We really try to think very carefully about who’s sitting next to each other. Our ideal pairing would be two people who we think will get on like a house on fire but may not even realise they have a lot in common. With each person, we take time to think, ‘What will they talk about?’” he said.

Guests must be 18 or older

The Met Gala also has an age rule. Guests must be at least 18 years old to attend. The restriction drew attention in May 2018, when Dance Moms alum Maddie Ziegler told The Hollywood Reporter that she could not attend because she was not old enough at the time.

Smoking at Met Gala is prohibited

Smoking is prohibited at the Met Gala under the New York City Smoke-Free Air Act. Even so, the rule has not always prevented violations, with viral photographs and leaks over the years showing guests smoking in the bathrooms.

No phone policy

Inside the event, there is also a strict no-phone policy. That means guests are not allowed to use their phones or post on social media from within the venue.

Follow a Met Gala dress code

The dress code remains one of the central parts of the evening. Each year, the Costume Institute curates an exhibition that presents fashion as art, while also setting a dress code to guide how guests interpret the theme through their outfits. For 2026, the theme is “Costume Art”, with the dress code “Fashion Is Art”. According to Vogue, it encourages attendees to explore how designers use the human body as a creative canvas. The dress code continues to shape the looks of the night, with some guests taking a literal route, others opting for avant-garde interpretations, and a few going in a completely unexpected direction.

Attendees pay for Met Gala ticket

An invitation alone is not enough to attend. Guests still need to buy a ticket or attend as someone’s guest. The event is a major fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, with proceeds supporting its fashion archive spanning more than seven centuries. According to The New York Times, an individual ticket this year costs 100,000 US dollars, up by 25,000 US dollars from 2025, while a table starts at 350,000 US dollars.

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