Commencement

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Are tickets required for Commencement?
Yes. Tickets will be required for the main Commencement ceremony in Stanford Stadium. Tickets or registration may also be required for other weekend events.

How many Commencement tickets can each graduate request?
Graduates can request as many tickets as needed for their family and friends for the main ceremony at Stanford Stadium. Other ticketed events may have capacity limitations based on the venue.

What is the main Commencement ceremony, and how is it different from my school or department's ceremony?
Stanford’s main Commencement is a university-wide celebration in Stanford Stadium with all graduates and their families. It features the procession, the President’s address, the keynote speaker, and the degree conferrals, and lasts about two hours. Graduates do not have their names called, walk across the stage, or receive diplomas at the main ceremony. This occurs at their individual school or department ceremonies, which are held in various locations across campus on Sunday, following the main ceremony (except for Business, Law, and Medicine, which take place on Saturday afternoon).

I am an international student.  Do my family members need a visa to attend Commencement Weekend?
For students who are confirmed eligible to graduate in June 2026, if your family members are not United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States, they will need a temporary tourist visa. For more information regarding visa types and the application process, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.  Your family may also reach out to their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information related to their application process. 

I am an international student eligible to graduate in 2026.  Does Stanford need to provide any documents for my family related to the visa application process?
There are no letters or documents required by the U.S. Department of State from Stanford University, its schools, or departments related to your family/visitor’s visa application process. For information about the official application process and documentation, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website. We have provided a brief summary page related to the B-2 visa process for general reference purposes.  If you have additional questions, please contact Stanford's Bechtel International Center.

Will the Commencement ceremony be viewable online for those who cannot attend in person?
Yes, the main Commencement ceremony will be streamed live on the Commencement website beginning at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Sunday, June 14, 2026. It will also be broadcast on Stanford’s radio station KZSU 90.1FM and kzsu.stanford.edu. A complete recording of the event will be available on the Stanford YouTube channel and shared on this website shortly after the event.