San Antonio, TX | July 24 & 25
Welcome to Commencement
Congratulations! Get ready to join the ۴ý graduation ceremony — where your journey is celebrated.
Still need to register for commencement?
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please log in to your student account and visit the registration page.
Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
Ceremony details
Freeman Coliseum - San Antonio, TX
When
岹,July 24
ٳܰ岹,July 25
Where
Freeman Coliseum
3201 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78219
Ceremony times
Morning (CDT)
Doors open: 9:00 a.m.
Grads arrive no later than: 9:30 a.m.
Ceremony begins: 10:30 a.m.
Afternoon - Saturday only (CDT)
Doors open: 2:00 p.m.
Grads arrive no later than: 2:30 p.m.
Ceremony begins: 3:30 p.m.
Can’t attend the ceremony in person?
Good news! You can still celebrate virtually. Plus, you can watch a replay of the ceremony up to 30 days after it airs.
Please note only graduates attending in person will have their names displayed and announced during the ceremony. The live ceremony will be available to watch from the start of commencement.
Who’s celebrating?
Select which best describes you.
I'm a graduate
I'm a guest
Graduate checklist
As you prepare to cross the commencement stage, check out these tips to help the day go smoothly.
- Order by July 10, 2026
- Make travel plans as needed
- Reserve tickets for you and your guests. You will receive an email three weeks before the ceremony with additional details on how to claim your tickets.
- Remember to bring your graduate name card that will arrive by mail before the ceremony. This will be used to announce and display your name when crossing the stage.
Graduates are required to reserve one ticket for themselves to participate in commencement, and up to 6 tickets for guests (7 total). Graduates can send tickets to their guests electronically.
Watch for a separate email approximately three weeks prior to the ceremony, which will include instructions on how to reserve your tickets.
Be prepared to show your digital tickets at the entrance.
Note: The official number of tickets you will receive is based on what is requested through the ticketing website (not what is requested when registering).
ճdeadline to order standard regalia is July 10, 2026 (by midnight) without additional shipping charges.
ճdeadline for custom doctoral regalia is June 12, 2026.
The final deadline will be July 17, 2026, with expedited shipping charges.
You can order regalia through the website.
For any regalia needs or questions, please contact customer support by calling 800-293-0665 or email DZԾ氪ٲǰǰ.dz
.
A limited amount of regalia will be available for purchase on the day of the ceremony (credit only).
Military graduates: Remember to bring your cord to the ceremony. The military cord is available to order at no charge on the regalia website. If not ordered in advance, they will be available on the day of the ceremony.
Please bring or wear your cap and gown as you arrive on commencement day. Bachelor’s degree students must bring their stoles. Master’s degree and doctoral students must bring their hoods. Business casual attire should be worn under the gown.
Regalia care: To ensure a wrinkle-free appearance at graduation, we recommend using a steamer on your gown, stole or hood. If you use an iron, please make sure the temperature is on the lowest setting to avoid damage to your regalia.
Out of respect and courtesy to the University and graduates, graduates and faculty should not alter their gowns, stoles, or hoods. If graduates choose to decorate their caps, we ask to do so tastefully, in a manner that prohibits the use of any offensive or obscene pictures, words or reference. If students violate any of these prohibited items, they may be asked to remove or alter these items.
Military dress uniforms may be worn in place of regalia by military service members (active, reserve or veteran). Uniforms and regalia should not be worn together.
Cultural and tribal stoles are approved to be worn on the top of the approved official ۴ý regalia at commencement ceremonies. Cultural robes, if worn, must be worn underneath the official regalia robe.
You can wear honors regalia awarded by an approved Honor Society with your standard regalia attire. ۴ý honor cords can be worn with your external honor society cord or stole, layered on top of each other with the ۴ý honor cord on top.
Graduates eligible to participate in a ceremony and meet the honors criteria can receive a cord that will be available in Grad Central on commencement day.The cord provided will be based on the current GPA.
Associate and bachelor's degree students with a program completion date of January 1, 2022 or later:
"Cum Laude" - Bronze Cord
Program GPA of 3.70 - 3.84
"Magna Cum Laude" - Silver Cord
Program GPA of 3.85 - 3.94
"Summa Cum Laude" - Gold Cord
Program GPA of 3.95 - 4.0
Master's degree students with program completion date of January 1, 2022 or later:
"With Distinction" - Red & Platinum Cord
Program GPA of 3.90 or higher
Prior ۴ý Honors Policy:
Bachelor's degree students with program completion date of December 31, 2021 or before:
"With Honors" - Platinum Cord
Program GPA of 3.85 or higher
Upon arrival, graduates will be directed to Grad Central located in EXPO 2.
Important note: Guests, including minors, are not allowed into the pre-ceremony graduate area or in the graduate seating and stage areas. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and this cannot be a participating graduate.
University staff will be available to assist with any questions regarding ceremony logistics.
We will have the following tables available:
· NRP to purchase regalia.Credit card accepted, no cash.
· Grad supplies with bobby pins and safety pins
· Military and honor cords available for eligible graduates
· Name card assistance: Name cards will be mailed to each graduate a few weeks before the ceremony. Be sure to bring it to the ceremony. This name card is what is used to announce and display your name as you cross the stage. If your name card does not arrive by the ceremony date, we will have backup name cards available on the day of the ceremony.
· After collecting all needed materials from Grad Central, graduates will be directed to line up according to their degree level.
Sample name card:
We recommend keeping your phone and name card with you, but please plan for a guest to hold any additional personal items.Please be advised that ۴ý is not responsible for any damage or loss to personal property.
Bag policy
Freeman Coliseum has a strict clear bag policy to ensure guest safety and an enjoyable experience. This is a clear bag venue.
Approved bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Also allowed are one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or small, non-clear clutches if they are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Backpacks and larger non-compliant bags are prohibited.
For frequently asked questions and a full list of allowed bags, prohibited bags and other items, please visit the web page. All bags are subject to search.
Commencement day
From arrival to celebration, here’s everything you need to make graduation day unforgettable.
Entering Freeman Coliseum:
Graduates will enter through the Expo 2 entrance, located on the north side of the coliseum.
Guests will enter through the front lobby (main entrance) of the Coliseum, located on the south side of the building.
This is a CLEAR BAG venue. Everyone will go through metal detectors before entering the buildings.
Important note: Guests, including minors, are not allowed into the pre-ceremony graduate area or in the graduate seating and stage areas. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and this cannot be a graduate.
Ticket information:
Graduates are required to reserve one ticket for themselves to participate in commencement, and up to 6 tickets for guests (7 total). Graduates can send tickets to their guests electronically.
As you enter Freeman Coliseum on graduation day, please be prepared to show your digital ticket(s).
Concessions:
Some concessions will be open and available for purchase.
Prior to ceremony:
Staff will be available to guide graduates to Grad Central upon arrival. There will not be a rehearsal before the ceremony.
- At Grad Central, graduates will collect any additional needed materials and line up for the processional.
- Graduates will be lined up by degree level (doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate), not alphabetically.
Important note: Guests, including minors, are not allowed into the pre-ceremony graduate area or in the graduate seating and stage areas. Minors must be accompanied by an adult, and this cannot be a participating graduate.
Ceremony:
- Processional: Graduates will walk from Expo 2 into the Coliseum for ceremony seating by degree level (doctoral, master’s, bachelor’s, associate).We strongly recommend that graduates wear comfortable and stable shoes.
- Graduates will be called to the stage by degree level, not alphabetical, with dual lines preparing to cross the stage.
- As graduates cross the stage, each graduate’s name and degree will be displayed and announced.
- Photos will be taken as graduates approach the stage, as well as when crossing the stage and are given a ۴ý branded congratulatory envelope.
- Doctoral graduates will be hooded on stage.
Transportation
Check the for any road closures the weekend of commencement.
For directions, enter this address into your preferred mapping app on your smartphone: 3201 E Houston Ave, San Antonio, TX 78219
Airports
The closest airport is .
Parking
Parking fees will be required ($15 per vehicle).
- Graduates and guests can park in Lots 1, 2, 3, or 9.
- Lot 9 is located closest to the designated graduate entrance at the Freeman Coliseum.
- Lots 1 and 2 are located closest to the designated guest entrance.
Bag policy
Freeman Coliseum has a strict clear bag policy to ensure guest safety and an enjoyable experience. This is a clear bag venue.
Approved bags must be clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and be no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches. Also allowed are one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags or small, non-clear clutches if they are no larger than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Backpacks and larger non-compliant bags are prohibited.
For frequently asked questions and a full list of allowed bags, prohibited bags and other items, please visit the web page. All bags are subject to search.
There will be a limited number of lockers available for a fee on the day of the ceremony.
Strollers
Due to Fire Marshal regulations, strollers are not permitted inside the venue but may be checked at Guest Services in the main lobby. Please be advised that ۴ý is not responsible for any damage or loss to personal property.
For safety and enjoyment, the following items are prohibited at Chase Field:
- Animals (except for service animals that provide disability services)
- Alcohol
- Aerosol cans
- Drones and other remote-controlled vehicles
- Drugs or other illegal substances (including medical marijuana)
- Firearms, knives or weapons of any kind
- Fireworks or other incendiary devices
- Camera tri, dual or single leg pods by non-media personnel
- Skateboards, rollerblades, scooters, razors or shoes with wheels
- Obscene, offensive, indecent or inappropriate clothing/attire
- Blow horns or noisemakers
- Umbrellas
- Fishing nets
- Beach balls, balloons or other inflatables (without prior approval)
- Laser pens
- Flags with poles not sold in the Team Shop or of a non-baseball nature
- Banners containing commercial, political or obscene material or that block guest views
- Frisbees
- Bicycles (may be parked at approved bike parking racks)
- "Bubble-making" liquids, machines, etc. for blowing bubbles
- Backpacks
- Bags and wallets exceeding the size of a small clutch bag (6.5 inches by 4.5 inches)
- Luggage of any kind, computer bags, camera bags, briefcases, fanny packs, cinch bags or any bag larger than the permissible size (6.5 inches by 4.5 inches)
- Additional items at the discretion of Freeman Coliseum management
The digital program will be viewable 3 days prior to the ceremony date and up to 30 days following the conclusion of the ceremony. This will include the run of show and names of all participating graduates.
Visit the site to access the digital program. To view the program, select your commencement ceremony location from the “What is your Ceremony Location?” drop-down menu.
The University has coordinated with GradImages Photography to photograph graduates at the ceremony. There will be two photo opportunities during the ceremony: one when going up to the stage and another when crossing the stage. Graduates will receive an email within 2 weeks of the ceremony with a link to their photographs. Remember to take a moment to pause, look and smile!
GradImages Photography
800-261-2576
We ask all graduates to stay until the end of the ceremony out of respect to the remaining graduates.
The ceremony will conclude with graduates moving the tassels on their caps from right to left as a symbolic recognition of their accomplishments.
After, guests will be released in an orderly fashion to ensure a safe exit for everyone.
Graduates will exit the ceremony and meet their guests outside of the venue to celebrate their accomplishment!
We expect that the ceremony will last approximately two hours.
Graduates attending commencement can request ADA accommodations by contacting our Commencement team at UOPXCommencement@phoenix.edu.
For advance questions about the venue, ceremony or ADA accommodations, please contact the Student Accommodations Office at SAO@phoenix.edu.
Guests requiring ADA accommodations or accessible seating during the ceremony should visit Guest Relations upon arrival for staff who can assist.
Accessible parking is available in all open lots for vehicles with a disabled plate or permit. Spaces are first-come, first-served and fill quickly, so early arrival is recommended.
We strongly encourage graduates or guests to bring their own wheelchair, walker or mobility assistance.
The ceremony will provide live captioning for any of the speaking parts. Sign language interpreters are available for graduates by request.
Questions & support
Questions for the big day?
Email us at UOPXCommencement@phoenix.edu.
Need help the day of?
Staff will be available at the venue if you need anything.
