Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
We truly look forward to celebrating with you and your guests!
Refer to the “Student Registration & Guest Tickets” section to register yourself and secure tickets for your guests.
Please continue to review all the information below over the next few weeks for updates about Commencement Weekend, May 22-24, 2026. Thank you!
1st Ceremony 8:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 12:30 p.m. – arrive on Arts Quad to prepare for procession Arrive on Arts Quad, wear cap & gown, assemble with your conferring college for the procession to Schoellkopf Field. Ushers will assist in organizing the procession lineup. Your family should be seated at the stadium by this time, not on the Arts Quad with you.
Arts Quad Diagram for 1st Ceremony lineup
Arts Quad Diagram for 2nd Ceremony lineup
1st Ceremony 9:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 1:30 p.m. – procession to stadium begins The academic procession will move counterclockwise around the Arts Quad and proceed to Schoellkopf Field. The university marshal will lead the procession past the presidential reviewing party on Olin Terrace and continue on to Schoellkopf Field.
1st Ceremony 9:15 a.m./2nd Ceremony 1:45 p.m. – procession arrives at Schoellkopf Field Upon arrival at the stadium, ushers will direct you to seats on Schoellkopf Field. Rapid movement is essential, with no stops or gaps in the procession. You will be seated with your conferring college, just as you assembled and processed to the stadium.
1st Ceremony 10:00-11:00 a.m./2nd Ceremony 2:30-3:30 p.m. – Commencement Ceremony Following the university president’s speech, each college will be asked to rise at appropriate times for degree conferral. At the conclusion of the ceremony, please remain standing as the president, college deans, trustees, administrators, and the faculty exit from Schoellkopf Field. Please refrain from throwing your caps, as the hard edges can be dangerous and cause injury.
1st Ceremony 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m./2nd Ceremony 3:30-4:00 p.m. – Exiting Stadium You will exit at field level while your family exits at other locations. Due to large crowds leaving the stadium, plan to meet your family at your next event.
Make sure everyone in your party knows your college and department so they can meet you at the correct location.
Commencement Program
The 2025 electronic Commencement program containing all of the graduates’ names is posted here.
Commencement Programs listing the events are distributed at Schoellkopf on Saturday. Programs also list the Saturday college events and a map of their locations. Please make sure everyone in your party knows your college and department in advance! If you have an event following the university Commencement ceremony, they will need this information in order to find the location and review the nearest bus stop in order to meet you there.
Note: Cell service may not be reliable inside the full stadium, making it temporarily difficult to reach your guests for information while in the stadium.
Names in the electronic program are taken directly from your Student Center profile. If you have a preferred name on file, that name will be used.
If you do not have a preferred name entered, your legal name will appear in the electronic program.
Preferred name changes must be made in Student Center by April 10th and remain unchanged for the program. Refer to the information on the Office of the University Registrar website for more details on how to change your name.
Walking Early: Candidates for future degrees in August 2026 who wish to “walk early” may also participate in the 2026 Commencement. The Commencement Office does not need to be notified of your plans to walk early.
You will need to order your cap & gown to wear in the ceremony.
If you want to walk early at your college event, please check directly with the appropriate event planner.
Dining
Food and beverages will be available at several locations on and off campus during the weekend. Check our Dining section. We encourage guests to bring snacks to have on hand, especially for young children, elderly family members, or guests with special dietary needs.
Lodging
Visit our Lodging section for more information about on-campus housing. Reservations for on-campus housing will begin January 7th.
Information on local housing options is at the lodging section also.
Commencement is the university ceremony for conferring all graduate and undergraduate degrees in all colleges. The two ceremonies take place Saturday at Schoellkopf Stadium. Wearing cap & gown, you will assemble on the Arts Quad to march with your college in the academic procession to Schoellkopf, then rise with your college for degree conferral during the ceremony. You will not cross the stage for individual recognition at these ceremonies. Please visit the Commencement Ceremonies section for details.
College events take place throughout the weekend, and vary from recognition ceremonies to informal receptions. Be sure everyone in your party knows your college and department, as well as the date, time, and location of your specific event so they may plan accordingly to meet you there. You and your family don’t want to miss your college or department event, especially if it offers individual recognition.
The Cornell Store
The Cornell Store is happy to welcome graduates and guests to our stores during Commencement Weekend, Thursday, May 21 – Sunday, May 24!
All updates regarding Commencement Weekend at The Cornell Store will be posted at: The Cornell Store.
List of all retail locations and hours.
The Cornell Store (Main Campus, 135 Ho Plaza)
Friday, May 22: 8:30am-7pm
Saturday, May 23: 9am-7pm
Sunday, May 24: 10am-5pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): Closed
The Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons
Friday, May 22: 10am-9pm
Saturday, May 23: 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 24: 10am-6pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): 11am-5pm
The Cornell Store at the Statler Hotel (Statler Hotel Lobby)
Friday, May 22: 8am-7pm
Saturday, May 23: 8am-7pm
Sunday, May 24: 8am-5pm
Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day): 10am-3pm
Announcements
Order formal customized graduation announcements from Balfour to inform family and friends of accomplishments. The ceremony date of May 23, 2026 is on the announcement. Balfour also offers thank you notes, etiquette seals, custom seal note cards, return address labels, and certificates of appreciation. For questions regarding specific degree information to print on customized announcements, please contact your college registrar.
Class Rings
The Cornell Store works with Balfour to provide Cornell rings in a variety of styles for men and women.
Diploma Frames
Diplomas are mailed to graduates in late June. They are not given out at the ceremonies.
A variety of quality USA made diploma frames are available in-store and online at The Cornell Store throughout the year.
Flower Bouquets to Order
Flower Bouquets may be pre-ordered online here through The Cornell Store. Orders may be picked up at the booth located conveniently at: The Cornell Store on May 23-May 24 from 9am-5pm or Schoellkopf Stadium at a table on the Crescent concourse on May 23 from 8am-5pm.
Cornellian Yearbook
Order your 2026 yearbook, Cornell University’s official yearbook, “The Cornellian”, now! The Cornellian Yearbook ordering information. Please direct yearbook questions to Cornellian.
Pets are not allowed at any Commencement events during the weekend, be it indoors or outdoors.
In accordance with State and Federal requirements, service animals are permitted.
SAFETY: To enroll your cell phone to receive emergency notifications, text “CornellVisitor” to 226787. The safety and security of everyone on campus is of great importance to Cornell University. so please review security measures for Commencement Weekend.
LOST AND FOUND:
The weekend hours in Barton Hall, G-2 are:
Friday, May 22 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Saturday, May 23, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday, May 24 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Weekday hours are 8 am – 4 pm
PHONE: 607-255-7197
EMAIL: lostand found@cornell.edu
CLEAR BAG POLICY: To uphold health and safety protocols, minimize contact and ensure a swifter entry process, a clear bag policy is strongly encouraged at the University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday at Schoellkopf Field. Other weekend events are encouraging clear bags as well.
All bags will be screened via metal detectors and if needed, subject to careful inspection.
Permissible bags include clear totes (not exceeding 12”x6”x12”), 1-gallon clear storage bags, or strapless/handheld clutches (not exceeding 6.5″ x 4.5″).
Bags carrying necessary medical supplies will be carefully inspected.
Diaper bags must be accompanied with a child.
Cornell reserves the right to search persons, property, and non-transparent bags at all the entrances.
No alcohol or glass bottles allowed in the Stadium.
No pets allowed, unless a service animal at Schoellkopf Stadium.
Graduates must register themselves and indicate the number of guests (age 2 and above) by reviewing the information and completing the registration form.
After submitting, an email is sent confirming registration.
We encourage 4-6 guests per graduate.
Note: College/School and Department Events are listed here and some may require graduates to RSVP separately from the University Commencement ceremony. Be sure to review the information for the college/school and department to know when and where event(s) will take place during Commencement weekend.
Tickets for guests attending either of the University Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, will be required and obtained by graduates completing the Campus Groups registration form noted above.
Tickets are only sent to the registered graduate, who will then distribute the electronic tickets or printable ticket file to the guests, attending the University Ceremonies at the stadium on Saturday.
Graduates do not need tickets to attend the University Commencement Ceremonies.
We encourage 4-6 guest tickets per graduate.
