Main Stage Commencement Ceremony

This year’s Main Stage Commencement Ceremony will take place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. This landmark celebration will include the official conferral of degrees for the Class of 2025, along with the presentation of honorary degrees, a keynote address by acclaimed director Jon M. Chu, and more!

Tickets are required to attend this event. Learn more about commencement ticketing.

Faculty and staff who wish to attend the Main Ceremony as general audience members may enter through Gates 4, 8, 19 and 23 with their USCard ID.

Important Information to Know Before You Go

• Gates at the LA Memorial Coliseum will open at 5:00 p.m.
• Guests may enter at gates 4, 8, 19, and 23. Faculty and staff who wish to attend the Main Ceremony as general audience members may also enter through these gates with their USCard ID.
• Graduating students should enter at the gate designated on their student ticket (Gate 1 & 28 for access to the peristyle or the Tunnel Gate via South Dr. and Bill Robertson Drive). Please see the student processional map below for details.
• Graduates are required to wear academic regalia in order to participate in the ceremony. Please bring your regalia with you; regalia will not be available for pick-up at the Coliseum.
• It is suggested that graduates and any processional participants wear comfortable, flat shoes as they will be processing downstairs to field level.
• The student processional will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m., and participating students must arrive no later than 6:15 p.m.
• Any students arriving after 6:45 p.m. will be directed to enter at the field tunnel for the processional.
• Upon arrival, attendees will proceed to general guest seating and all graduating students will proceed to the student processional points (please see below).
• All seating is outdoors and evening temperatures will be cool; please dress accordingly.  
• Following the ceremony, graduates will exit the Coliseum to meet their families.
• Alcohol of any kind is not allowed in the Coliseum. Tailgating is not permitted in the parking lots or any other areas of Exposition Park. Please visit the Coliseum website for further details regarding Coliseum policies.
• Be sure to download your tickets before you arrive to campus and bring your mobile device with you. Attendees will be required to present a mobile ticket; printed copies will not be accepted.  
• Attendees may only enter with a bag that adheres to the clear bag policy. Similar to security checks at Trojan football and basketball games, all persons and their belongings will be subject to metal detector screening and bag inspection prior to entering the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
• Parking at the LA Memorial Coliseum and University Park Campus (UPC) is limited. Use of rideshare and public transportation options are highly encouraged. Please see the Transit and Parking Page for more details.
• On Thursday, May 15, a Coliseum shuttle will run continuously between 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., traveling between Pardee Way Gate at Exposition Boulevard (on the UPC campus) and Gate 19 near Bill Robertson Lane and Exposition Park Drive. Please note that wait times for pick-up and drop-off may be approximately 15–20 minutes.
• Please allow ample time to park and make your way through security lines. To avoid potential delays, we recommend you arrive at least two hours prior to Commencement.
• Factory-sealed water will be permitted inside. 
• Cameras are allowed, but balloons, beach balls, confetti, and noise-making devices are prohibited.
• The Coliseum is cashless — only credit/debit cards and mobile payments are accepted.
• Concession stands will be open, but alcohol will not be served.
• ADA accessibility information can be found here.