Dates and Times
We want to see your celebrations! Use #UTGrad2025 to share your decorated mortar boards, graduation photos, or family celebrations.
Fall 2025 ceremonies will take place in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, unless noted otherwise.
Commencement registration will open in September. Graduation applicants will receive an email invitation at that time.
Webcast links will be available at a later date.
Friday, December 12
| 9:00 a.m. |
Bachelor’s and Master’s Ceremony
|
 Webcast TBD |
| 2:30 p.m. |
Bachelor’s and Master’s Ceremony
|
Webcast TBD |
| 7:30 p.m. |
Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
|
Webcast TBD |
Each ceremony is estimated to last two to two-and-a-half hours.
Getting to the Arena
Parking and Arena Entry
Plan for traffic delays.
Graduates and guest parking is available:
- G-10 Garage – located next to Neyland Stadium (enter off Neyland Dr due to construction). The top level is reserved for accessible and mobility-limited guests.
- CC6 across from the Arena – Enter from Lake Loudoun (next to Andy Holt Tower across from the Food City Center)
- G16 Volunteer Blvd garage (1320 Pat Head Summitt St) – enter from Pat Head Summitt St
- A free roundtrip Park and Ride shuttle will be operating from the Knoxville Civic Coliseum to help alleviate traffic on and around campus. Shuttles will drop off on Lake Loudoun Boulevard outside Food City Center.
Graduates enter the venue at the lower floor-level entrance near G10 garage. Balloons will mark the entrance.
Guests enter the arena at the upper-level gates.
Additional parking options and accessible parking information can be found at the Parking and Transportation Commencement webpage.
Ceremony Protocols
Graduate entry
- Tickets are not required for graduate entry.
- Graduates will enter the arena at the lower level Media entrance near G-10 garage. Balloons will mark the entrance.
- Doors will open for graduate entry 2 hours before the ceremony start time.
- On arrival, graduates will pick up their name card at designated registration tables. The card will be used as the graduate crosses the stage.
- Graduates must arrive and be checked in no later than 30 minutes before the ceremony start time.
- All graduates will participate in a processional. They will be directed to a designated spot to wait in line.
- Graduates are asked to bring as little as possible inside the venue with them. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines. The university’s clear bag policy will be enforced. Security screenings will be in place as graduates enter the building. Food City Center is unable to store or secure prohibited items.
Guest entry
- Doors will open for guest entry 2 hours before the beginning of each ceremony. The upper level gates will be open for guest entry.
- There are currently no plans to require tickets for entry.
- Guests are asked to bring as little as possible inside the venue with them. This will speed up the entry procedure and reduce chances of lines. The university’s clear bag policy will be enforced. Security screenings will be in place prior to entering the building. Food City Center is unable to store or secure prohibited items.
After the Ceremony
Graduate and Guest Exiting
Graduates are required to return to their seat on the arena floor after crossing the stage and stay until the end. After all graduates have crossed the stage, graduates and guests will rise to sing the Alma Mater.
All are encouraged to make a plan to meet up with their guests outside after the ceremony. No guests will be permitted on the arena floor at any time. Please exit the arena immediately to allow staff time to prepare for the next ceremony.