Philadelphia, PA | November 21, 2026
Welcome to Commencement
Congratulations! Get ready to join the ý 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.
Still need to register for commencement?
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please log in to your student account and visit the registration page.
Please note registrations for in-person commencement ceremonies are closely monitored to assess venue seating capacity requirements. If we reach capacity, we may be required to close registration earlier than planned to ensure these requirements are met.
Still need to register for commencement?
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please log in to your student account and visit the registration page.
Ceremony details
Philadelphia, PA
When
Saturday
November 21, 2026
Where
Liacouras Center
1776 N Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Ceremony times
Morning ceremony (EST)
Doors open: 9:00 a.m.
Grads arrive no later than: 9:30a.m.
Ceremony begins: 10:30 a.m.
Afternoon ceremony (EST)
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.
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:
Friday, October 9th -Doctoral regalia
Friday, November 6th - Grad regalia (regular shipping)
Friday, November 13th - Grad regalia (2-day expedited shipping)
- Make travel plans as needed
- Reserve tickets for you and your guests. You'll 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. You'll hand it to the announcer before crossing the stage.
Wondering what to expect or wear for the big day? Meg and Keith, your Commencement Insiders, guide you from arrival to tassel turn, with tips on rocking regalia, what to bring, and comfy shoes so you feel confident and prepared.
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).
You can order regalia through the .
Deadlines:
Friday, October 9th-Doctoral regalia
Friday, November 6th- Grad regalia (regular shipping)
Friday, November 13th- Grad regalia (2-day expedited shipping)
For any regalia needs or questions, please contact customer support by calling 800-293-0665 or emailphoenix@taylorcorp.com
.
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 ý 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. ý honor cords can be worn with your external honor society cord or stole, layered on top of each other with the ý honor cord on top.
Eligible graduates who qualify for honors recognition may pick up their honors cord at Grad Central on the day of the ceremony. Cord designation will be determined by the graduate's current GPA at the time of commencement.
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 ý 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 toGrad Centrallocated through the loading dock ramp.
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:
NRPto purchase regalia.Credit card accepted, no cash.
Grad supplieswith bobby pins and safety pins
Military and honor cordsavailable 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.
Sample name card:
After collecting all needed materials from Grad Central, graduates will be directed to line up according to their degree level.
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 ý is not responsible for any damage or loss to personal property.
Bag policy
Liacouras Centerhas a strict clear bag policy to ensure guest safety and an enjoyable experience.
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 other non-compliant bags are prohibited.
For a detailed breakdown of allowed bags, prohibited bags and other items, please . All bags are subject to search.
The University has coordinated with GradImages Photography to photograph you at commencement. There will be two photo opportunities during the ceremony: one just before going up to the stage and another when crossing the stage. You'll receive an email within two weeks after the ceremony with a link to your photographs.
Remember to take a moment to pause, look and smile!
If you have questions regarding your photos, please contact GradImages Photography service@gradimages.com or 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 last approximately two hours and concludes 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.
Commencement day
From arrival to celebration, here’s everything you need to make graduation day unforgettable.
Entering Liacouras Center:
Guests will enter through the main entrance, located on the east side of the building.
Associate, bachelor's and master'sgraduates will enter through the loading dock just south of the main entrance. Signs, flags and staff will guide graduates to the correct location.
Doctoral graduates will enter through the main entrance front doors and take an immediate left to enter the Doctoral Reception area.
This is a . 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). After receiving tickets electronically, graduates can send tickets to their guests via smartphone.
As you enter 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.
Ceremony:
- Processional: Graduates will enter the arena in the processional and be seated by degree level: doctoral, master's, bachelor's and 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 ý branded congratulatory envelope.
- Doctoral graduates will be hooded on stage.
Transportation
Check thefor any road closures the weekend of commencement.
Airports
The closest airport is.
Parking
The Liacouras Centeris located on the campus of Temple University. It is easily accessible by public transit and within walking distance of several parking lots..
The address of The Liacouras Center is:
1776 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
For venue-related inquiries, The Liacouras Center can also be reached at 215-204-2400.
On-campus parking is managed by Temple University Office of Parking Services. There are over 3,500 cashless parking spaces within walking distance of the Arena, payable by debit or credit card only. Parking lots will open two hours before the scheduled time of the event.
There are over 3,500 cashless parking spaces within walking distance of the arena, payable by debit or credit card only. Parking lots will open two hours before the scheduled time of the event.
Rideshare
For safety reasons, rideshare vehicles are not allowed to pick up passengers directly in front of the N. Broad Street main doors. Please utilize the following designated rideshare drop-off and pickup locations:
- 1800 North Broad Street
- 1300 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
The venue has a . While bags of any kind are not encouraged, the following outlines the bags that are permitted:
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12" x 6" x 12" -- A logo can be displayed on one side of a permissible clear bag.
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
- Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" -- approximately the size of a hand, with or without a handle or strap.
- Medically necessary items and diaper bags (after proper search and inspection)
For safety and enjoyment, the following items are prohibited at Liacouras Center:
- Aerosol cans or noisemaking devices (including whistles, foghorns/air horns, plastic airhorns)
- Alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia
- Animals (except for service animals)
- Attire that conceals identity*
- Backpacks & Oversized Bags
- Banners, signs, and flags
- Cigarettes, Vapes, and other E-Cigarette Devices
- Concealed packages of any kind (such as a wrapped gift)
- Coolers, hydration packs, bottles, cans or other beverage containers
- Drones (UAS Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other remote-controlled vehicles
- Drugs or other illegal substances (including medical marijuana)
- Explosives and hazardous chemicals
- Fuels of any kind (inc. lighter fluid)
- Hoverboards, skateboards, and E-Scooters
- Laser pointers or any items intended to create optical distraction
- Long, classical umbrellas with pointed tips (collapsible and foldable umbrellas with a flat top are allowed)
- Outside food and beverage (except baby food and medically necessary items)
- Pets (other than service animals or service animals in training)
- Projectiles of any kind
- Razor-type blades (including scissors)
- Selfie sticks or telescopic devices
- Video/audio recording devices and professional cameras
- Weapons (guns, knives, self-defense sprays, chains, tasers, firearms, bats, clubs, sticks, etc.)
- Any other items deemed inappropriate by arena personnel
*Exceptions are made for medical and religious purposes, after proper inspection.
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.
We ask all guests to stay until the end of the ceremony out of respect to the remaining graduates.
The ceremony will last approximately two hours and 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.
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.
