The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

We will hold most commencement ceremonies for our spring graduates in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in May. Congratulations graduates!

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Preliminary Information

• The official university-wide spring commencement ceremonies will take place the weekend of May 14 – 17, 2026 in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, unless otherwise noted.
  • Bachelor’s students will participate in college-based ceremonies.
  • All master’s students will have a single ceremony, and doctoral students will have their own ceremony. Doctoral graduates will be hooded on stage. Master’s students will cross the stage but will not be hooded. These graduates do not attend the college-based ceremonies.
  • These are the only university-hosted commencement ceremonies. Colleges and departments may choose to host their own additional ceremonies or receptions. Communication and registration for these additional events are the responsibility of the college or department.
• Graduates may not switch ceremonies once assigned.
• The “Official Graduation Date” listed on the academic calendar and graduation application refers to the date printed on one’s diploma, not necessarily the date of Commencement. Please check your semester’s ceremony information page for the date and time of your assigned ceremony.
• Applying for graduation is not the same as registering for commencement. Once a student has applied for graduation, they will become eligible to register for Commencement.
  • Depending on their graduation semester, eligible students will begin receiving email invitations to register for Commencement from [email protected] with details and registration instructions in either late February (spring) or late September (fall). After registration opens each semester, new applicants will receive their invitation the Monday after they have applied to graduate. Graduates will continue to receive automated reminders until we receive a response.
    • Spring 2026 registration opened on February 27.
  • Deadlines for registering for Commencement fall either in April (spring) or November (fall). Once the registration system closes, graduates will need to contact [email protected] for more information on participating.
  • Attendance at Commencement is not required to graduate. Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremonies.
• The university does not host a summer commencement ceremony. Undergraduates who complete their degree requirements in the summer typically have the option to attend spring or fall ceremonies if they have applied to graduate in time for the spring ceremony. Non-thesis master’s students can choose to walk in either ceremony. Graduate students who have completed coursework but need to finish a thesis or dissertation may not participate in the Doctoral Hooding until their official graduation date, which means summer doctoral graduates may not participate in the spring ceremony. Please contact the Graduate School at [email protected] with questions.

About the Ceremonies

• Ceremonies typically last approximately 2 and a half hours. Graduates are required to stay for the duration of the ceremony.
• Professional photos will be taken by Big Orange Professional Photography (BOPP) during the ceremony. Bookmark the Grad Images website where photos will be posted once they’re available for purchase.
• Students cross an ADA-compliant ramp as their name is called.
• There are currently no plans to require tickets for guest entry at Food City Center, and all guests are welcome.
• Ceremonies will be webcast live on that semester’s ceremony information page.
• All guest seating is first come, first served. It cannot be reserved in advance.

IMPORTANT PARKING AND ARENA ENTRY

• We expect heavy traffic around the arena and parking garage. Please plan your arrival time and route to the arena with this in mind (consult Google Maps or Waze for real-time traffic).
• For G10 garage, please enter from Neyland Drive (across from the Wayne G. Basler boathouse).
• Additional parking is available off Lake Loudoun in student parking areas: G5/CC6 (surface lot next to Andy Holt Tower) and CC9 in G16 garage levels 1-2 (Volunteer Boulevard & Pat Head Summitt).
  • Please do not park in Staff (S) areas. Many ceremonies take place during a regular workday for staff.
• Avoid traffic congestion at Lake Loudoun Boulevard and Neyland Drive intersection by using alternative entry points to campus – such as Joe Johnson, Volunteer Boulevard West, and Volunteer Boulevard by the Student Union.
• Accessible/handicapped spaces are available in all parking areas. We recommend both the G10 garage and the G5/CC6 surface lot with the bridge to the arena.
• On certain days of the week, additional parking options and free shuttles will be provided.
• Important note for spring 2026 downtown traffic: Open Streets Knoxville and Slippery Stairs will take place May 17, 2026, from 2-6 p.m. This may affect meal reservations and travel in the downtown area, so please plan accordingly.
  • Gay Street will be closed from Summit Hill Drive to Wall Avenue from noon on Friday, May 15 until midnight on Sunday, May 17.
  • Gay Street from Summit Hill Drive to Hill Avenue will be closed from 12:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 17.
  • Market Square Garage will only be accessible via Walnut Street during the closure.

For more information, visit Parking & Transportation / Commencement Parking.

Additional Events

Many colleges and organizations host celebrations throughout the weekend. Please check with your college for more information on any planned activities related to commencement.

Neyland Stadium will be open as a paid photo location during commencement weekend. Find out more on our Additional Events page.

Future Ceremonies

• Fall 2026 ceremonies will take place on Friday, December 11, 2026 at Food City Center*. The ceremony schedule will be released at a later date.
  • *Ceremony dates and locations may vary for graduate and professional programs.
• Spring 2027 ceremonies will take place the weekend of May 14, 2027 at Food City Center*. The ceremony schedule will be released at a later date.
  • *Ceremony dates and locations may vary for graduate and professional programs.

Questions?

For questions about degree requirements and diplomas, contact [email protected].

For questions about commencement registration and ceremony details, contact [email protected].

Graduate students may contact the Graduate School as well.