Know Before You Go!

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from the University of Kentucky. We are excited to celebrate this impressive achievement with your friends and family at the May 2025 Commencement Ceremonies. Please see below for important information you will need to know before arrival at Rupp Arena.   
   
   
CHECK-IN: Check-in begins ONE hour prior to the start of your ceremony. Please plan to arrive no later than this to allow for plenty of time to go through the check-in process. All graduates must arrive in full regalia including cap, gown, tassel, hood, cords, etc. Please enter through the High Street Parking Entrance and enter the doors that read “Graduate Entrance” and follow signage to Registration. Your guests will enter through the “Guest Entrance” which is also located on High Street. Doors for guests will also open one hour before the ceremony. There are no tickets or limits on guests for the commencement ceremonies, seats are first come, first serve.  
   
SECURITY + PERSONAL BELONGINGS: All guests and graduates will pass through metal detectors upon arrival.   Please note: anything you bring into Rupp Arena MUST stay with you during the entire ceremony, including when you walk across the stage as graduates will not return to their seats. Therefore, graduates should keep all belongings to a minimum.   
   
Rupp Arena policy permits guests to bring in one clear bag (no larger than 12"x12"x6") or one small clutch purse, with or without handle or strap (no larger than 9"x 5”) for their personal items.  
 
Signs, flags, posters, and amplification devices (megaphones, speakers, etc.) are strictly prohibited. All bags and items will be searched. More information about arena policies can be found here.    
    
PARKING AND SHUTTLES: The Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center parking lot, located on West High Street, will offer free parking for all guests and graduates. Please plan to remove all vehicles promptly after the ceremony to make space for guests and graduates attending the following ceremonies.

In addition, shuttle services will run continuously between campus and Rupp Arena during the May Commencement Ceremonies. Shuttles will operate from 8:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m. on Friday and from 8:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pickup will be available on Administration Drive near Parking Structure #5 (Cornerstone Garage), with drop-off at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.

The Cornerstone Garage, located at 401 S Limestone, will also be open for those who prefer to park on campus and take the shuttle. Garage entrances are located on S Limestone and S Upper Street.

CEREMONY SPECIFICS: The ceremony is expected to last approximately two hours. Graduates will not return to their seats after they walk across the stage, so you may not be there the entire time. After you cross the stage, you will be guided to the photography area for a photo before exiting the arena. Following the ceremony, graduates can reunite with their families near the exits on High Street or join the UK Alumni Association in the Grad Gathering celebration in Club C at the arena. 

   
DOCTORAL GRADUATES: Please communicate with the faculty member who will be hooding you on stage. You will sit by them during the ceremony, so plan with your faculty member if you will meet in the check-in area or on the floor of Rupp Arena.  Some faculty may be hooding more than one graduate. Please watch this video here for hooding instructions: Hooding Instruction Video   
     
LIVE-STREAM: Links to the Commencement Live Streams will be posted the day before the ceremonies and will be found here.   
  
    
Should you have further questions, please read through ALL FAQs listed here.   
    
Good luck on your finals and we will see you at Commencement!