Ticketing
Registration
Tickets are required for all guests attending the Main Ceremony Friday, May 16, in Zable Stadium. Class of 2026 graduates may request tickets during the Commencement registration period (Feb. 20 – March 22). Graduating students will receive an email in February with a registration link. Each graduate may initially request up to four guest tickets for the ceremony at Zable Stadium. During registration, graduates may also indicate if they wish to receive any additional tickets that become available after the period closes. Requests for extra tickets will be reviewed, and requestors will be notified in mid-April if they can be accommodated.
Distribution
All tickets are electronic and will be emailed to graduates in mid-May. Graduates must forward tickets to their guests, who may present them either printed or on a mobile device. Mobile tickets should be open and ready for scanning at the entry gate. Each ticket is valid for a single scan and may not be duplicated. Children age 2 and under do not need a ticket.
Inclement Weather
If severe weather occurs, the ceremony will move to Kaplan Arena. Due to limited indoor capacity, graduates will receive only two guest tickets, regardless of any additional requests. No exceptions can be made regarding ticket limits, but families and supporters can watch the event via livestream.
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Main Ceremony
The ceremony takes place Friday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in Zable Stadium. If there is inclement weather, the event moves to Kaplan Arena.
What You May Bring
- Phone
- Camera (unbagged)
- Use of flash is not permitted during the ceremony.
- Registered Service Animals
- Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and companion animals are not permitted.
What You May Not Bring
- Bags of any kind
- Bottles of any kind
- You will receive a program and a bottle of water at your seat.
- There are water refill stations inside the stadium.
- Any bottles brought to the ceremony will be confiscated and will not be returned after the ceremony.
- Umbrellas (even if it's raining!)
- Banners, signs, posters or any items that obstruct the view of other guests
- Weapons, drugs, or any related paraphernalia
- Any items deemed inappropriate by ceremony staff at the time of the event
Logistics
- Walk Across Campus
- The walk will begin promptly at 5 p.m.
- If you would like to participate in the Walk Across Campus (pdf), gather at the back of the Wren Building (Sunken Garden side) on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
- The walk will cross the Crim Dell bridge and end at the Sadler Terrace, where you will be directed to a line-up location (pdf).
- If the inclement weather plan is called, the Walk Across Campus will be canceled, and you should proceed directly to Kaplan Arena and arrive by 5:30 p.m.
- Lineup
- Upon arriving at Zable Stadium (or Kaplan Arena in inclement weather), staff volunteers will direct you to your lineup location (pdf) by staff volunteers.
- If you are not participating in the Walk Across Campus, meet at Sadler Terrace (or Kaplan Arena in inclement weather) by 5:15 p.m. for further instructions
- Seating
- Degree candidates will be seated on the field at Zable Stadium (pdf) or, during severe weather, on the floor and in the stands of Kaplan Arena (pdf).
- Graduate Degree Candidates: You will sit with your respective schools.
- Bachelor's Candidates: You are not required to sit with your major.
- Diplomas:
- Diplomas are mailed in the weeks following degree conferral to your address on record or a dedicated diploma mailing address.
- Friday Ceremony: Degree candidates do not cross the stage or have their names read during the Friday evening event.
- Saturday Departmental Events: You will cross the stage, have your name read, and receive a ceremonial diploma at your specific department event.
- Recessional
- Please remain in your seats until the official party and faculty have recessed out of the stadium or arena.
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Getting Regalia
Regalia is required for both the Main Ceremony and the departmental degree ceremonies.
Order Now
- Online ordering is available now via the W&M/Oak Hall Website for all regalia.
- Online ordering deadlines:
- Bachelor’s and Master’s: Tuesday, April 14
- Doctoral (Purchase): Friday, March 13
- Doctoral (Rental): Monday, March 30
- After April 14, bachelor's and master's regalia must be purchased in person at the W&M Spirit Shop & Bookstore.
- Please allow two weeks for online orders to ship. Shipping times vary by location and order date.
Questions?
Contact shop manager Brian Adler at [[wmcloth]] or 757-221-1651, or visit the shop’s social media channels for answers to common question:
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Regalia Instructions
- All graduates participating in the Main or Departmental Commencement Ceremonies must wear university-approved regalia.
- Only active-duty or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces may wear their service-appropriate military uniform for commencement ceremonies.
- Bachelor's and Master's regalia consists of a robe, cap, tassel, and a hood with colors indicating the graduate's degree.
- How to wear your hood.
- How to wear full regalia.
- Doctoral regalia consists of a robe, a tam, and a tassel; stripes on the robe's sleeves indicate the graduate's degree.
- Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until the degree is awarded, then move it to the left. This transition occurs collectively at the President's instruction.
- Graduate students, having already earned an undergraduate degree, wear the tassel on the left side of the mortarboard.
Mortarboards
Mortarboards may be decorated and custom collegiate stoles may be ordered and worn, provided they follow these staff-approved guidelines
- Decorations should not exceed the dimensions of a standard mortarboard (9"x9") or collegiate stole (68"–72" long, 4.5" wide).
- Decorations and customizations must not distract fellow graduates from the ceremony; lights, sound-making devices, and excessively bright colors are prohibited.
- Decorations and customizations must not include hate speech, profanity, or references to drugs, alcohol or weapons.
- Decorations must not threaten the safety of others when caps are thrown.
- Decorations must not interfere with attaching the tassel to the cap.
- Ceremony staff reserve the right to remove any individual who fails to follow these rules.
Dress Code
Graduating students must wear full regalia to participate in the ceremony. While there are no mandatory requirements, the following dress code is strongly encouraged:
- Students must be fully clothed beneath their robes.
- Business casual is recommended but not required.
- Students should consider the significance of the occasion when selecting an outfit.
- Ideally, clothing should not be visible beneath the robe’s hem, above the collar, or past the sleeves.
- Since high heat and humidity are expected, natural fabrics like cotton or linen are recommended.
Note: Students may be subject to a dress code check prior to entering the stadium to ensure compliance with event guidelines.
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When to Wear Regalia
- Walk Across Campus
- Full regalia, including gown, hood, cap, and tassel.
- Main Ceremony (Friday evening)
- Full regalia, including gown, hood, cap, and tassel.
- Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard until the degree is awarded, then move it to the left. This transition occurs collectively at the President's instruction.
- Graduate and doctoral students wear their tassels on the left side.
- Departmental ceremonies & events
- Wear full regalia—including gown, hood, cap, and tassel—unless otherwise instructed by your department.
- Candlelight Ceremony
- Cap and gown only; no hood. Undergraduates wear the tassel on the right side of the mortarboard, while graduate students wear it on the left.
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Traditions
Bell Ringing
Members of the Class of 2026 will have the opportunity to ring the Wren Bell on the last day of classes.
When: Friday, May 1 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Guidelines
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Lineup will begin outside the courtyard fence on the Sunken Garden side of the Wren Building. Volunteers will be available to assist.
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Food and drink are not permitted inside the Wren Building.
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The process may take anywhere from 5 to 45 minutes, depending on how many students are in line when you arrive.
Senior Class Dance
Come dance the night away at the traditional senior class dance!
When: Wednesday, May 13, time TBD
Where: Sunken Garden Tent (Weather Location: Sadler Center, Chesapeake Rooms)
Guidelines
- Tickets required
- Students may bring ticketed guests
- Dress code: casual to cocktail
Candlelight Ceremony
Tradition holds that the graduating class selects one student, one staff member, and a member of the faculty to give brief remarks to graduates. The ceremony provides an opportunity for the Class of 2026 to celebrate and reflect on their time at the university.
When: Thursday, May 14, 9:30-11:30 p.m.
Where: Wren Yard
Guidelines
- Graduates wear cap and gown with the tassel positioned on the right side of the mortar board.
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