Guest Instructions

Ticketing

• Guests are required to have digital tickets to enter the stadium. Graduates requested guest tickets in April and will receive them via mobile ticket transfer on Monday, May 4.
• Graduates should transfer tickets to their guests in advance of arrival at the stadium. Instructions for transferring tickets can be found here.
• All seats are general admission; seats are not assigned.

Arrival at Wallace Wade Stadium

• Traffic is very heavy on and around campus on Commencement morning. Allow extra time for your commute and plan to arrive early.
• Wallace Wade Stadium gates will open at 7:30 a.m. Graduates must arrive at Pascal Field House by 8:15 a.m. Guests are encouraged to be seated by 8:30 a.m.
• Note that guests and graduates will access the stadium via separate entrances.
• Guests should enter at any of the stadium gates: Bostock, Powers or Wilson.
• Graduates should proceed directly to Pascal Field House via the Blue Zone 7 or Grounds parking lots.
• Graduates should arrive no later than 8:15 a.m.

Parking and Transportation

• Ample general parking is available near Wallace Wade Stadium. View a campus parking diagram here.
• All on-campus parking is free of charge during Commencement weekend (beginning Friday through Sunday) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• On Sunday, May 10, shuttles will run from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to help graduates and guests navigate campus. Refer to this diagram for the park and ride shuttles.
• The Grounds Lot is reserved for guests with mobility impairments. Overflow accessible parking is available on Level 2 of the Science Drive Garage. ADA shuttle buses (pink buses) will be available to transport guests with mobility needs from these parking areas to Wallace Wade Stadium.
• Graduates may park in or be dropped off at the Blue Zone 7 parking lot on Commencement Day.
• Graduates should be dropped off in the Blue Zone 7 parking lot on Commencement Day.
• RV parking is not permitted on campus.

What to Bring

The following items are permitted following inspection:

• Personal Bags (small purses, small tote bags, etc.) maximum size 12x12x6 inches. Clear bags are not required. You can bring your preferred bag, as long as it fits within our size restrictions.
• Medical & childcare items
  • Bags 12” x 12” x 6” or smaller are highly recommended to expedite entry and minimize touch points.
  • If larger items are required for medical or accessibility need, please contact Duke Access & Accommodation Services for additional information and
• Cameras & Video Cameras
  • All cameras larger than a cell phone must be removed from bags and placed on the table during entry screening.
• Outside food & non-alcoholic beverages
• Umbrellas
• Do not leave bags or items unattended outside the stadium. Unattended items may be removed or disposed of by stadium officials. Duke University and Duke Athletics are not responsible for lost or discarded belongings.

Restricted Items

• Alcoholic beverages
• Backpacks, duffel bags, large purses, and suitcases of any kind
• Balloons
• Drones & unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• Flag/sign poles of any kind or size
• Hazardous materials
• Laser pointers
• Megaphones/noisemakers of any kind
• Pets (exception: service animals)
• Posters and signs of any kind (regardless of size)
• Weapons of any kind (including pocket knives regardless of size)
• For graduates: bags, food, and drinks (other than water) are not allowed in Pascal Field House or the stadium.

What to Wear

• Dress comfortably and for the weather, which can change throughout the day in North Carolina.
• Comfortable walking shoes are strongly recommended. Spiked heels are not allowed on the field.
• Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and rain ponchos are also encouraged. Ponchos will not be provided for guests.

Weather Considerations

• The ceremony is held outdoors, and Wallace Wade Stadium provides little shade and rain cover.
• Umbrellas are permitted in the stadium. If rain is in the forecast, ponchos and waterproof clothing are recommended.

Concessions and Merchandise

• Concessions will be available for purchase before and during the ceremony. Guests may bring outside food into the stadium.
• New for 2026: Shop Duke merchandise at the Duke Stores tent, Section 16 (concourse)
• New for 2026: Celebrate your graduate with a floral bouquet—available at Concession Stand 3 (under Blue Devil Tower)
• Complimentary drinking water will be provided for both guests and graduates.

Accessibility and Disability Accommodations

• Information about accessible seating, transportation and parking, assistive listening and mobility support is available on the Commencement website.
• If you or your guests require accommodations beyond what is described on the Commencement website, please contact Duke Access & Accommodation Services (DAAS) at (919) 668-1267 or visit the DAAS website for more information. You can also fill out the Visitor Accommodation Request Form and DAAS staff will respond in a timely fashion.

Livestream, Video and Photography

• A livestream video of the ceremony will be available on the Duke YouTube channel and on Commencement.duke.edu.
• The university will offer photographs from the ceremony for complimentary download approximately one week after the ceremony. Graduates will receive a post-Commencement email that will include a link to photos.
• Guests are permitted to take photos and video of the ceremony. Please be mindful not to interfere with the visibility or comfort of other guests sitting near you.

About the Ceremony

• The procession will begin at 9:00 a.m.
• Once the procession is complete, the ceremony will last approximately one hour.
• Graduates will stand to be recognized by school during the ceremony. Graduates will not be recognized individually and will not walk across the stage at this ceremony.
• Diplomas are not distributed at this ceremony.
• Undergraduate diplomas from Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering will be mailed to students after Commencement.
• Some graduate and professional degree programs will distribute diplomas during school/departmental ceremonies, while others will distribute diplomas via mail. Please check with your school or department regarding specific arrangements for diplomas.
• Guests are not permitted on the field at any time. Please plan a meeting location with your graduate in advance.

Other Tips for Planning Your Day

• The ceremony will proceed rain or shine; in the case of heavy rain the ceremony may be shortened. University officials will monitor weather forecasts throughout Commencement week and throughout the ceremony. Should conditions warrant cancellation of the ceremony, it will not be postponed or rescheduled.
• Questions about specific school or departmental ceremonies or celebrations should be directed to the relevant school or department. Visit the Schedule of Events to find contact information.
• The Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed—and available online for later viewing—by guests unable to attend in person.

Tobacco-Free Campus

Duke University is a Tobacco-Free Campus. The use of any tobacco-based product is prohibited, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, snuff, and electronic smoking devices (including e-cigarettes, vaping products, and IQOS). For more information on Duke University’s Tobacco-Free Campus policy, visit https://healthy.duke.edu/tobaccofree/.