The Class of 2026 Commencement ceremony brings us together to celebrate our graduates’ achievements.
Tickets
Tickets are electronic and will be emailed to graduates in mid-May. Students must then forward them to their guests, who may either print them or display them on their phone when entering the stadium/arena. If using a phone, tickets should be open and ready for scanning at the entry gate. Each ticket will scan only once and cannot be duplicated. Children aged two and younger do not require a ticket.
Clear Bag Policy
William & Mary has a clear bag policy in effect for the main Commencement ceremony.
Bags that are allowed include:- Clear tote bags made of plastic, vinyl or PVC that do not exceed 24″ x 12″ x 24″
- 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
Additional Prohibited Items
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 24″ × 12″ × 24″
- 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
- Cameras with a lens greater than 4"
- Firearms and other weapons
- Laptop computers
- Alcohol, use of any tobacco products, or illegal substances
- Use of any tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping apparatuses
- Noisemakers, laser pointers, balls, frisbees, inflatable objects
- Coolers, ice chests
- Pets
- Strollers (there will be a stroller parking tent near the entrance)
- Umbrellas
- Signs larger than 24" x 36"
- Anything deemed unsafe by police or event staff
Entry
Gates will open 90 minutes before the ceremony start time.
Seating
- Seating for guests is General Admission
- Children two 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.
Accessibility Accommodations
- 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 the Main Ceremony and others upon request. Guests requiring live ASL interpretation will receive a vehicle access pass in order to drop off at the access point. Students must request ASL interpreters from their department heads for their individual degree ceremonies.
- Live closed captioning will be available on the ceremony livestreams.
Ceremony Timeline
- 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.