Tickets are electronic and will be emailed to graduates in mid-May. They may then forward the tickets to their guests to display on their phones, or they may print out their tickets to be scanned. If using a phone, they should have the tickets open and ready for scanning when they reach the entry gate. Each ticket scans only once, so electronic tickets may not be duplicated.

In the event of severe weather, the ceremony will be moved indoors to Kaplan Arena. Due to limited seating capacity inside Kaplan, graduates will receive fewer guest tickets for the inside location. Only guests presenting all-weather tickets (valid in both Zable & Kaplan) will be permitted to enter Kaplan Arena.

Children 2 and younger do not require a ticket.

The prohibited items list is for the enjoyment and safety of Commencement guests. This list is subject to change as conditions warrant.

• Backpacks (exceptions: diaper bags, string backpacks)
• Bags measuring larger than 1’ x 1’ x 1’
• Outside food & drink (except for factory sealed non-alcoholic beverages, no larger than one liter; juice boxes, factory sealed infant snacks, and baby food).
• Camera tripods / monopods / selfie-sticks
• Firearms and other weapons
• Laptop computers
• Alcohol, use of any tobacco products, or illegal substances
• E-cigarettes and vapor apparatuses
• Noisemakers, laser pointers, balls, frisbees, inflatable objects
• Coolers, ice chests
• Pets
• Strollers (there will be a stroller parking tent near the entrance)
• Umbrellas
• Anything deemed unsafe by police or event staff

William & Mary has a clear bag policy in effect that regulates the size and type of bag that may be carried into Kaplan Arena.

Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the new policies before arriving to minimize time at security checkpoints.

• Clear tote bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
• One-gallon clear plastic zip-style bags
• Small purses or clutch bags that do not exceed 6.5″ x 4.5"
• Medical or diaper bags – diaper bags must be accompanied by a child

• Backpacks
• Printed or tinted plastic bags
• Cinch or drawstring bags
• Fanny packs
• Camera or binocular cases
• Large purses or bags

Review the full list of prohibited items.

Learn more about this policy.

Gates will open 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.

• Seating for guests is General Admission
• Children 2 and younger do not require a ticket
• Graduates will be seated on the stadium or arena floor
• Graduates participating in the ceremony do not require a ticket.

• Wheelchair/limited mobility guests will be able to drop-off at an access point (pdf) adjacent to the ceremony location.
• Guests who can climb some steps will be ushered to lower rows of seating we have reserved and may sit with one companion.
• Guests who cannot climb stairs will be ushered to the limited mobility seating area on the floor and may sit with one companion.
• Guests in wheelchairs or scooters will be ushered to the limited mobility seating area on the floor and may sit with one companion.
• We will have American Sign Language interpreters at each ceremony. Guests requiring live ASL interpretation will receive a vehicle access pass in order to drop off at the access point.
• Live closed captioning will be available on the ceremony livestreams.

• Special coverage that includes the graduates' Walk Across Campus will be available on the stadium screens approximately one hour before the scheduled start time of each ceremony.
• The ceremony will last approximately two hours and begins with the student processional entering the arena.
• Students do not cross the stage at the main ceremony.
• Each graduate will be recognized individually at their departmental ceremony on Saturday, at which time they will have their name read aloud and receive their diploma.