The guest ticket allotment was determined by comparing the number of petitions to graduate received for each ceremony to the venue capacity. For 2026, the guest ticket allotments are as follows:
- Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering Undergraduate Ceremony: No guest tickets required
- Knauss School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Ceremonies: (6) guest tickets
- Graduate I & II Ceremonies: No guest tickets required
- School of Law Ceremony: No guest tickets required
*Please note that in addition to submitting a petition to graduate, graduates must also register to attend Commencement, even if their ceremony does not require guest tickets.
The university offers the maximum number of ceremony tickets to each graduate based on the capacity of the Jenny Criag Pavilion. While extra tickets are not available, undergraduates are welcome to share their unused guest tickets with fellow class members in the same ceremony. Tickets provide general admission and are valid only for the ceremony date/time stated on the ticket. Each ticket will have a unique QR code and will only grant access to one guest.
Tickets are provided at no charge to all graduates. USD does not authorize the resale of complimentary tickets.
For the Commencement ceremonies that require guest tickets, all tickets offer general admission to the specific ceremony noted on the ticket. The arena offers open seating and is available on a first come, first served basis.
Children (ages 2 and under) do not need a ticket but are required to sit on the lap of a ticketed guest.
Accessible seating is on a first come, first served basis and is available at the top of designated sections in the arena. Accessible seating is intended for a guest in need and one companion and is counted among the total number of tickets provided.
No, graduates can bring as many guests as they would like.
Each ceremony usually lasts approximately 2-2.5 hours, depending on class size.
All ceremonies will be held indoors in the Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Every ceremony will be streamed online on the USD Commencement website for those who are unable to travel or to receive tickets.
Every graduate at Commencement must wear a cap and gown. Regalia can be purchased and picked up at Grad Fest on March 18, 19 and 20. The Torero Store will begin processing online regalia orders beginning March 21. Please visit the Torero Store for additional information.
Additional Commencement related items can be purchased from the Torero Store or during Grad Fest. Please see below for additional Grad Fest information.
Grad Fest is a multiple day event that assists graduating students in preparing for Commencement. See below for the schedule:
- Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the UC Forums (Regalia purchases available until 6 p.m.)
- Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the UC Forums (Regalia purchases available until 6 p.m.)
- Friday, March 20, 2026 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the UC Forums (This date is for regalia purchases only.)
During Grad Fest on March 18 and 19, graduates will have the opportunity to meet with the Torero Hub to ensure their student account is in good standing, connect with the Registrar to confirm diploma information, meet with the Career Development Center and Alumni Relations teams, order and pick-up regalia, decorate their cap, take a graduation photo, and shop for graduation gifts/memorabilia.
Students may purchase the official USD stole through the Torero Store. Stoles for other campus involvements will be distributed directly by those organizations.
Graduates should receive their diploma 8-10 weeks after their degree is conferred. Diplomas will be mailed to the address requested on your Petition to Graduate form.
Parking can be found on-campus in the Main Parking Structure (MS) and West Parking Structure (WS). Parking is complimentary everywhere on campus for each day of the ceremonies, May 22 to May 24. Follow signs and safety/traffic personnel to the best available parking upon arrival. ADA placards should be clearly visible for officers to provide direction to the appropriate parking area. Buses and ADA Shuttles will be available to move guests efficiently to the ticketed guest entrance for the event.
Rideshare drop-off and pick-up is located in the Vistas Lot which is west of the Main Entrance on Linda Vista Road.
If needed, parking will also be available at the San Diego County Office of Education (6401 Linda Vista Rd.) parking lot. Buses will pick up and drop off guests at this location.
USD has a long standing partnership with Bartell Hotels. Bartell Hotels offers discounted room rates (15% off their best available rate) to friends and visitors of USD and donates 10% of all total room costs back to the university in support of student scholarships. All eight Bartell Hotels are conveniently located near campus as well as other major San Diego attractions, with many being situated on the water's edge.
Please visit https://www.bartellhotels.com/usd for more information.