Guest Information

Don't Forget These Items

Tickets

Tickets are required to attend Commencement in person and must have been claimed prior to the ceremony. No on-site tickets are available. Have your tickets (mobile or printed) ready to be scanned at the gate.

Face covering

Face coverings will be required for all attendees over the age of 2 at all times throughout the ceremony, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings must cover the nose and mouth. Masks and face coverings may be removed briefly only while actively eating or drinking.

Required COVID documents and photo ID

Non-California residents must have proof of COVID vaccine. California residents only must have either proof of COVID vaccine or negative COVID test in the last 72 hours. You must bring a photo ID that matches the name on your documentation and valid documentation of your test or vaccination (see more info below).

Clear bag

Only approved clear bags will be permitted into the stadium.

When You Arrive

1. Health Check-In at Varsity Lot

Guests should first proceed to the Health Check-In tents in the Varsity Lot. This is where you will present your COVID documentation and ID. Once your documentation has been reviewed and approved, you will be given a wristband with a color that indicates which gate you should enter the stadium.

2. Security at the stadium gate entry

At the gate, your tickets will be scanned and you will proceed through security. Be sure to have your ticket (mobile or printed) readily accessible. In addition to the clear bag policy, there will be electronic screening equipment (metal detectors) in use at all venue entry gates. Before entering the stadium, guests will be asked to remove cell phones, keys and other large metal objects and must pass through the metal detectors.

3. Proceed to your assigned seats

Your seat assignment is shown on your ticket. Ushers will be available to help direct you if you need assistance. For safety reasons, please do not sit in a seat or location that is not assigned to you and avoid gathering on the stairwells or in the concourse.

Commencement Stadium Guidelines

Wear a face covering

Everyone 2 years and older MUST wear a face covering at all times. Face coverings may be removed briefly and only while actively eating or drinking. No gaiters.

Maintain distance

Please maintain 6 foot (2m) safe distance. Do not gather in the concourse or in stairwells.

Assigned seating

All seats have been pre-reserved and for safety reasons, please only sit in your assigned seat.

Food and drink

Water is available in the stadium. There are no food concessions. Other food options will be limited to health necessities which will be permitted as long as they adhere to the clear bag policy.

Be prepared

The Commencement ceremony is scheduled to occur rain or shine. The stadium is an open space and little to no shade is available during the ceremony, and there will be no alternate locations on campus to view the livestream of the ceremony. Dress for the heat; light clothing is advisable. Hats, visors, and sun block are also highly recommended. Umbrellas will be allowed this year. 

Smoking prohibited

Smoking is prohibited at Stanford Stadium, at all indoor locations and at outdoor areas where posted.

These policies are subject to change without notice.

Parking and Transportation

General parking

General Commencement parking will be available in the following parking lots near the stadium:

Lot 7 - Arboretum Grove
Lot 9 - Lasuen Grove
Lot 10 - Eucalyptus Grove

Disability parking and drop-off

Parking for guests with state-issued or temporary Stanford-issued disabled parking permits is available in the Track House Lot, with overflow in the Maples Lot.

Guests with limited mobility or other assistive needs may also be dropped off in this lot.

Rideshare drop-off

The designated drop-off area for guests using rideshare services will also be in the Track House Lot. Please direct your driver to this location.

Other Transportation to Campus

For general information about traveling to campus on public transit please visit the Stanford Transportation Transit page. Please note that some services may still be suspended or limited.

On-Campus Transportation

There will be no transportation around campus so please plan accordingly. For health and safety reasons personal golf carts are not allowed to be brought onto the campus during Commencement Weekend.

COVID Check-in Requirements

Required COVID vaccination for out-of-state travelers 

For those traveling from outside the state of California, proof of vaccination will be required at the gates in order to enter the stadium. Only W.H.O-approved vaccines will be accepted. 

The vaccine must be:
- Authorized for emergency use by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (includes Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen) OR
- Authorized by emergency use by the World Health Organization (e.g. AstraZeneca/Oxford, Sinopharm, Sinovac)

You must be at least 14 days out from your second dose if you received a two dose vaccine, and at least 15 days if you received a single dose vaccine like J&J *In order to meet the definition of fully vaccinated, you will need to have received your final vaccine dose no later than two weeks before the ceremony.

Required COVID tests for California in-state travelers

For those traveling from within the state of California, evidence of a negative COVID test within the 72 hours preceding the ceremony will be accepted in lieu of proof of vaccination. Please be prepared to show a photo ID that matches the name on the test result. Note that travelers from within the state of California who are fully vaccinated may show proof of vaccination and will not need to get a COVID test. *Only PCR or LAMP test results will be accepted for entry.

Required COVID Documentation

Our check-in process will require a review of your COVID-19 vaccine/testing documentation by our staff in order to receive your ticket and gain entry to the event. You must bring a photo ID that matches the name on your documentation and valid documentation of your test or vaccination. It is highly recommended that you bring paper documentation in case of technical issues the morning of the event.

For proof of vaccination status, please bring the hard copy of your vaccination card, a paper photo-copy of your card, or a clear digital photo on your mobile device. A signed doctor’s letter with medical provider license number and date, or official government document if you are an international traveler, will also be accepted.

Vaccination documentation should clearly indicate:

- Full Name
- Birthdate
- Vaccine name/manufacturer
- Date(s) of vaccination 

Proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or LAMP test should clearly indicate:

- Full Name
- Birthdate
- Type of test (we are only accepting PCR and LAMP at this time)
- Date of test
- Test result

At the Stadium

Complimentary Bag Check

Guests with bags or items that do not satisfy the Public Safety Clear Bag Policy are welcome to bring them to the complimentary bag check station, located at PAC 12 Plaza.

The bag check station opens two hours before the ceremony begins and closes one hour after the conclusion of the event. Any items left after closing will be brought to the Stanford Stadium Operations Office, located inside Gate 1 of the stadium.

Stroller Check

Due to safety regulations, no strollers are allowed inside the stadium. For your convenience, a limited stroller check area will be provided near  Stadium Gate 3 in the Varsity Lot.

Lost and Found

For lost items, visit the Stanford Athletics Lost and Found website. Found items may be turned in to any staff member or at the Stadium Operations Office inside Gate 1.

First Aid

A First Aid station is located inside Stadium Gate 3. Stations are also located in the concourse near sections 115 and 132.

Stadium Map

See the map for locations of parking, health check-in and entry gates, seating sections, restrooms and other amenities at the stadium. 

Locations and hours are subject to change.

Items and Vendors at the Stadium

Commencement Program

Programs will be available at all main entry gates of the stadium. A digital version of the program, as well as a listing of the names of the degree candidates, will be also posted on this website Commencement Weekend.

Vendors

A small selection of vendors will be located outside of Stanford Stadium Gate 5 until just after the ceremony concludes.

Ah Sam Florist
Ah Sam Florists will have leis and handheld bouquets for purchase at the Commencement ceremonies. These items may be pre-ordered online until Thursday, June 9th at noon. Ah Sam Florists will be at Gate 5 for purchases and pre-order pickups on Saturday, June 12th for the Advanced Degree Candidate Ceremony and Sunday, June 13th for the Senior Class Ceremony from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Stanford Bookstore
The Stanford Bookstore will have a variety of Stanford apparel and more available for purchase.

Stanford Quad Yearbook
The Stanford Quad Yearbook will have sample books and information about how to place orders online.

Stanford Daily
Pick up the special Commencement edition of the Stanford Daily outside of Gate 5.

Vendor list/locations subject to change.

Around Campus

Photo Opportunity

Saturday and Sunday after the ceremony, between 12- 1:30, graduates and their guests will be able to visit iconic locations across campus for a special photo opportunity. See the Commencement Map linked below for locations (red camera icons) and walking directions.

Public Restrooms on Campus

In addition to the restrooms at the stadium, several additional restrooms across campus will be open during the weekend. See the Commencement Map linked below for locations (black restroom icons) and walking directions.

Sustainability Information

Zero Waste

At Stanford, we’re All About No Waste! To help us achieve our Zero Waste goal and reduce contamination in our waste bins, please consider the following:

- Bring your own clear bag approved reusable water bottle! If everyone attending commencement brought a disposable water bottle, it would generate enough waste to cover 27 football fields!

- All PPE and sanitary wipes should be disposed of in landfill trash bins (not recycling or composting).

- Paper programs can be saved as mementos, or they can be disposed of in recycling bins.

Photo Opportunities

Saturday and Sunday between 12- 1:30 graduates and their guests will be able to visit iconic locations across campus for photos.