Details for Ceremony Guests
Graduate Ceremonies
- The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Class of 2026 will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. at the Mullins Center. Doors open for guest entry and seating at 9 a.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 12 p.m. Guest tickets are not required for this ceremony.
- The Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony for the University of Massachusetts Amherst Class of 2026 will be held on Friday, May 15, at 9 a.m. at the Mullins Center. Doors open for guest entry and seating at 8 a.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 12 p.m. Guest tickets are required for this ceremony.
Undergraduate Ceremonies
- The main commencement ceremony for the University of Massachusetts Amherst undergraduate Class of 2026 will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on the UMass Amherst campus, rain or shine. Gates open for guest entry and seating at 3 p.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 7 p.m.
- The Stockbridge School of Agriculture Associate Degree Commencement Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Bowker Auditorium.
- Guests who plan to attend a senior recognition ceremony that is scheduled to take place before the Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 15, should ensure ample time to reach campus, park, and arrive at the stadium via a shuttle bus or by walking. We recommend that you park once and use a shuttle bus or walk to your next destination(s).
- Once at the stadium, you will proceed through security. Once inside the stadium gates, you can pick up a commencement program. The stadium map (on the last page of the commencement program) shows where each school or college will be seated, so you can plan your seating in the stands accordingly.
Guest Tickets
- Guest tickets are free of charge and are required for all ceremonies except the undergraduate and Stockbridge School of Agriculture degree conferral ceremonies.
- Due to the size of each graduating cohort and the finite number of seats available in the indoor venues, ticketing the ceremonies allows us to ensure each graduating student is able to have supporters in attendance.
- Starting in February and continuing through their April deadline, students will be able to reserve guest tickets through the Tassel platform.
- April 12 is the deadline for students to reserve tickets for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony and Commonwealth Honors College Celebration of Excellence on May 9.
- April 18 is the deadline for students to reserve tickets for the Master's and Education Specialist degree conferral ceremony on May 15 and the May 15–17 senior recognition ceremonies.
- The week of their ceremony in May, guest tickets will be distributed to the Mullins Center accounts of students who registered for them by the April deadline.
- Students are responsible for distributing guest tickets from their account to their guests prior to the ceremony.
- Students will be notified by email from the Mullins Center with instructions.
Lodging
Residence Hall Lodging
Staying on campus is the best way to be close to all of the commencement activities. Our campus residence hall accommodations, in single or double occupancy, provide casual comfort at affordable rates. Each floor has a lounge that encourages interaction with other guests while offering the option to retreat to your own room to prepare for the next day’s activities.
Parking is free and close by, and linens and towels are provided. There is a limited number of on-campus residence hall rooms available that address the requirements of the Jewish Sabbath. There are also a few rooms available for guests with disabilities. Please be sure to indicate any needs when registering. All rooms are located in a low-rise residence hall in the Southwest Residential Area, a convenient location to the various commencement activities held throughout the weekend and the closest lodging option to the main Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony held at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
Please check this page for updates. For questions and/or registration assistance, call (413) 577-8102 or email @email.
Hotel UMass
Hotel UMass blends a tranquil countryside escape with the bustling energy of campus life, making it your ideal destination when staying in the Pioneer Valley. Visit the official Hotel UMass website to check availability and begin your reservation.
Off-Campus Lodging
Visit the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce website and the Amherst Business Improvement District website for an eclectic mix of locally owned bed-and-breakfasts, hotels, motels, and a variety of national chains.
For more off-campus lodging options, please visit:
- UMass Amherst Alumni Association Partner Hotels
- Hotels and motels near Amherst
- Bed-and-breakfasts near Amherst
- Campgrounds and RV parks near Amherst
- Visit Hampshire County
- Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Tourism Council
- The Greater Springfield Visitor and Convention Bureau: Western Mass Lodging
Commencement Weekend Dining
On-Campus Dining
Dining Commons
At Berkshire Dining Commons, Hampshire Dining Commons, and Worcester Dining Commons, families and guests of graduates who are on a UMass meal plan may join their graduates for complimentary meals. Other students, families, faculty, and staff may dine at the Commons at the rate of $12.50 for breakfast, $17 for lunch, and $20 for dinner. Meals feature healthy and sustainable global cuisine and showcase local and regional ingredients.
Campus Center Eateries
People’s Organic and Harvest Market on the concourse at the Campus Center both open at 8 a.m. and serve coffee, breakfast, and fresh-baked organic and all-natural treats. Harvest Market is a full-service market serving healthy, sustainable, and delicious fare. The hot bar features traditional American and many other world cuisines. Don’t miss the salad bar featuring freshly prepared composed salads made with locally sourced, in-season ingredients.
The Commonwealth Restaurant
The Commonwealth Restaurant, located on the top floor of Worcester Commons, offers a relaxed atmosphere with beautiful views of campus. The Commonwealth is open Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For reservations, please email [email protected]. If you have any questions, please call (413) 545-0255.
Graduation Celebration Buffet
A Graduation Celebration Buffet is offered beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 15, in the Marriott Center on the 11th floor of the UMass Amherst Campus Center. The space is currently at capacity, but you can request to be added to the waitlist by calling (413) 577-8102 or emailing @email. When you reach out, please provide your name, contact email or phone number, and party size. Note that tickets are $60 per person.
Stadium Food Court
Stadium concessions, snacks and light meals (including a fresh grill selection), fruit, desserts, and beverages will be sold prior to the undergraduate ceremony at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on the east side of the stadium, near the entrance.
Off-Campus Dining
For a unique blend of restaurants, hotels, shops, and cultural destinations, please visit our friends at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce, the Amherst Business Improvement District, or Hampshire County Tourism Council.
Traffic, Parking, and Shuttles
Traffic & Road Closures
Please be advised that during the May 15–17 Commencement Weekend, there will be heavy traffic on and around the university. Several roads will be partially closed or limited to one-way traffic.
Upon arrival in the Amherst area, please allow 90 minutes to travel through campus and park at the direction of the traffic officers who will guide you on campus.
A complete traffic advisory will be posted in May.
Parking
All traffic coming to campus—including graduates, families, staff, and production crews—will be guided by UMass Police officers and traffic flaggers to the closest available lot. Visitors to campus on May 15–17 for Commencement and senior recognition ceremonies are asked to park upon arrival. It is strongly recommended that visitors arrive as early as possible, park once, and take the bus or walk to their destinations.
Recreational Vehicle (RV) Parking
Recreational vehicle (RV) parking is available upon request at no charge. However, there are no hookups for electricity, water, or waste disposal. Call the Office of Community Relations and University Events at (413) 577-1101 or email @email for more information or to make a reservation.
Shuttles
Commencement Weekend shuttle buses will operate on campus May 15–17, stopping at various locations, including parking lots, ceremony venues, and dining commons. We strongly recommend that graduates and guests park once on campus and travel via shuttle or walk to their destinations. In May, a complete traffic advisory will be posted with more detailed shuttle information.
Security
McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Our security protocols ensure the safety of our visitors and our campus community. Metal detectors will be in place at the entrances to McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Guests are advised to pack lightly for the day, as all items taken into venues are subject to search—the less you are carrying, the more quickly your party will be able to proceed through security. Alcohol is not available or allowed at the stadium event. UMass is a tobacco-free campus; smoking is not allowed anywhere. Please discuss security measures with the members of your party ahead of time so everyone is aware of our protocols. Although you can expect security measures to take a little time at your point of entry, our staff will be there to welcome you!
Please remember:
- Stadium gates open at 3 p.m.
- All bags and containers are subject to search.
- Tickets are not required for the main Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, and graduates may invite as many guests as they wish. Seating at McGuirk Stadium is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Graduates will enter and sit in the stadium with their school or college. The stadium map, included in print programs and signage at the event, shows where each school or college will be seated, so you can plan your seating in the stands accordingly.
Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted at the stadium.
Mullins Center
All guests and graduates will be required to walk through metal detectors when entering the venue. To expedite the process, we ask guests and graduates to remove cell phones from their pockets. Purses, diaper bags, and other small personal bags are allowed but will be inspected at all entrances.
Outside food or beverages will NOT be allowed.
Weapons of any kind and tobacco products are not permitted inside the arena. For details on security procedures and a full list of prohibited items, please visit the Mullins Center website.
Accessibility
Accessibility Throughout Campus
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available throughout the campus. If you need accessible parking, please follow the signs and directions of the traffic officers to the designated accessible parking areas adjacent to each of the venues.
Guests with limited mobility can also be dropped off at one of the designated bus stops, which are regularly serviced by accessible shuttle buses. If you require a van shuttle with a wheelchair lift, please contact Transportation Services at (413) 545-2086 or @email.
Accessible parking passes are not required or issued for May 9, May 16, or May 17. All venues have accessible parking nearby. However, due to the number of guests attending the main undergraduate ceremony at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on May 15, an accessible lot requiring advanced registration is designated for that day only.
Accessible Seating
All ceremony venues offer accessible seating. Tickets are required for all guests attending ceremonies; however, no additional reservations are required to obtain accessible seating. We encourage guests who require accessible seating to arrive early for their ceremony to allow time to be directed to accessible seating areas.
Mobility Aids
The university does not have wheelchairs or scooters for rent for any Commencement ceremony. Please contact a local medical supply store in your community if you need one.
Sign Language Interpreters
If you or any of your guests require the services of a sign language interpreter, email @email. The deadline for requesting interpreter services is April 16, 2026.
Accommodations at McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Accessible Parking
Due to the number of guests attending the main undergraduate ceremony at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on Friday, May 15, a designated accessible lot is set up for this ceremony only. Guests who meet the requirements and are in need of accessible parking can register to receive a parking pass for Lot 11 on Stadium Drive, the closest accessible lot to the stadium. Please register by 5 p.m. on May 13 to allow time for processing. Passes are delivered via email. Guests do not need to request accessible parking for these other venues in advance.
Due to high traffic on campus on Friday, May 15, we urge you to PARK ONCE if you are attending more than one event that day. It is best to drop off guests at the appropriate venue and park in Lot 11 for easier access to exits at the end of the day, if possible. UMass Police will direct you to Lot 11. Note that Lot 11 is otherwise closed and serves as the Graduate Assembly Area.
Driving to Campus
To gain access to Lot 11, you MUST enter campus from Route 116:
- If you are coming from Route 9, take Route 116 N; at the UMass exit, turn RIGHT onto North Hadley Road.
- If you are coming from Route 116 S, take a LEFT at the top of the exit onto North Hadley Road. From North Hadley Road, at the intersection with Mullins Way, turn RIGHT toward the track and then take an immediate LEFT to follow Stadium Drive down to Lot 11 on the RIGHT.
You will NOT be able to access Lot 11 from University Drive, as the road closes early to accommodate bus traffic.
Lot 22 may also be used for overflow traffic. Same rules apply.
Traffic Advisory
Keep in mind that there will be significant traffic on Commencement Day, so it is best to allow two hours of travel after arriving in the Amherst/Hadley area. Our 25,000 guests trickle in throughout the day, but when Commencement is over, everyone wants to leave at once, which leads to delays and traffic.
Entering and Exiting the Stadium
Lot 11 is the closest lot to the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15. The stadium is a short walk from the parking lot to the gate. However, golf carts driven by Commencement Ambassadors are available to shuttle those who need transportation from their cars in Lot 11 to the gate at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Golf carts are also available to bring guests back to their cars in Lot 11 after the ceremony.
We encourage all guests with mobility impairments to plan to enter and exit Gate 2/Portal 20 on the northeast corner of the stadium. Please be advised that it may take a few minutes for the crowds to disperse following the Commencement ceremony, so it may take some time until the golf carts are ready to shuttle guests back to Lot 11.
Accessible Security Checkpoint
There is a designated security checkpoint, entrance, and golf cart transportation for guests with mobility challenges at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Commencement Ambassadors will be present to assist with directing guests to the accessible entrance at Gate 2/Portal 20.
Accessible Restrooms and Seating
Portal 20 provides full access to restrooms and accessible guest seating on the field. Guests can, of course, choose to sit in the stands. There are ramps to the stadium stands at the southern end of the stadium. The first row of the stands is available from those ramps. All others are only accessible via stairs. Seating for our guests with mobility concerns is on the field behind the graduates. The grass will be covered with flooring to provide a flat and stable surface. There are no tickets for any seating at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. We encourage at least one person to stay with the guest seated on the floor of the stadium, but your party does not need to be separated. Wheelchair-accessible restroom facilities will be available throughout the stadium grounds, with the largest cluster located by Gate 2/Portal 20, the entrance/exit for all guests with disabilities who require transportation.
What to Expect at the Stadium
The outdoor Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony is held rain or shine. There is no shade in the stadium, so a sunny day can become intolerable without proper planning. Although the area devoted to our guests who need accommodations has been paved, most of the stadium ground is gravel, which may make walking difficult. Please consider this when choosing footwear.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase within the stadium. There is extensive security, including metal detectors. Alcohol is not available or allowed at the stadium event. UMass is a tobacco-free campus; smoking is not allowed anywhere. All bags will be checked. It’s highly recommended that you bring only what you need into the event.