UCF Graduation: A Guide to Commencement and Ticket Information

The University of Central Florida (UCF) celebrates its graduates at the Spring 2026 commencement ceremonies, a momentous occasion held at the Addition Financial Arena. This article provides essential information for graduates and their guests regarding tickets, regalia, accessibility, and other important details to ensure a smooth and memorable graduation experience.

Arrival and Venue Information

Graduates arrive at the Addition Financial Arena, located at 12777 Gemini Blvd N., Orlando FL, 32816, on the main campus. Complimentary parking is available in Garage D, F, and H. Mobility-impaired individuals may be dropped off in front of the Addition Financial Arena prior to parking. A security check will be conducted for all guests and graduates entering the arena.

Tickets and Admission

Tickets are required for admittance to the Addition Financial Arena for adults, children, and infants. Graduates do not need to register for or order their commencement ceremony tickets. All graduates who have filed an intent to graduate on time and place a regalia order on time will automatically receive their ceremony tickets during the designated dates/times established for guest ticket and reader card pick up. Each graduate can bring up to 10 guests.

Guest tickets must be picked up along with reader cards by each graduate at the main campus during the specified ticket-pickup week. UCF Online students who have preordered regalia pick up guest tickets at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center located near the Addition Financial Arena on the main campus during one of the ticket pickup dates. Tickets are picked up during ticket-pickup week at the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center located near the Addition Financial Arena on the main campus.

Graduates unable to pick up their guest tickets may designate a third party to do so by providing them with a letter authorizing UCF to release the tickets during ticket-pickup week. Letters must include the name of the designated pick-up person, along with the graduate’s full name, UCF ID, college of major, and their signature on the letter.

Read also: UCF Graduation Parking Info

There will be no ticket lottery offered for additional tickets for graduates. Any forfeited tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Addition Financial Arena Box Office two hours prior to each individual commencement ceremony. Guests will need to provide a photo ID, as well as their graduate’s name.

Guests who do not have tickets may watch the live ceremony via a simulcast viewing in the FAIRWINDS Alumni Center and the Student Union. The Alumni Center’s seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are not required for the live telecast, and it is closed captioned.

Regalia

Graduates are encouraged to order their cap and gowns sooner rather than later to allow ample time for them to be delivered to their home. There is a late deadline for regalia on April 3, 2026. All rental orders placed after March 20 will be assessed a rush fee. Availability of sizes for official regalia cannot be guaranteed after April 3.

Note: Guest tickets and reader cards will only be distributed to graduates with current semester (Spring 2026) regalia rental orders and who filed an approved Intent to Graduate application on time.

The tassel on a graduate’s cap must be their college tassel and not the black and gold souvenir tassel. Baccalaureate degree candidates wear tassels on the right; graduate degree candidates wear tassels on the left.

If you have any questions regarding returning regalia, please contact the bookstore at 407-882-0365. Doctoral tams must be returned in original condition, or a fee will be charged.

Academic Honors

The university shall confer baccalaureate honors recognition on those students who have completed a minimum of 48 credit hours at UCF. Baccalaureate honors awarded will be based on the overall cumulative GPA including transfer credit at the start of the term in which they will graduate. Records for the term of graduation are incomplete at the time the commencement program is printed. For students who earn baccalaureate honors, the honor cords will only be available for purchase at the time of ticket pickup during the designated ticket-pickup week at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore on East Plaza Drive. Honor cords from various honor societies may be worn if they are the designation of an officially recognized group.

Reader Cards and Diplomas

Reader cards for bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates will available for pick up with ticket packets during the designated ticket pick up week. Bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates should remember to bring their reader card to the ceremony. Extra reader cards are available prior to the ceremony at the Registrar’s Office table located inside the Addition Financial Arena. It is important that each graduate fill out his or her address information on the back of the reader card. During individual recognition, graduates should hand their reader card to the announcer. The card is preprinted with the graduate’s college and name.

Diplomas are not issued at the ceremony. Diplomas and official transcripts are not provided until all degree requirements are certified by the college academic success coaching office and awarded by the Registrar’s Office. This process begins after final grades are posted and can take 4 to 6 weeks to complete. Diplomas will not be issued if graduates have a hold on their accounts. All financial and disciplinary obligations must be met in order to receive a diploma. Graduates should check their myUCF portal for any holds that may exist and clear up those obligations as early as possible.

Incomplete grades, whether at UCF or a transfer institution, will prevent a candidate from graduating. If this occurs, the candidate must reapply to graduate in a later semester.

Read also: Commencement Speakers at UCLA

Transcripts that reflect the degree earned will be available approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the ceremony once degrees are awarded. Recent graduates should not select the “hold for degree” option when ordering transcripts, as the system will interpret this as a next semester graduation and may delay processing. Please place your transcript order only after confirming your degree status shows as “Awarded” in myUCF under Intent to Graduate. Graduates may submit transcript requests online at myUCF > Student Self Service > Student Center > other academics: (drop down menu) > Transcripts: Request Official. Be sure to turn off pop-up blockers.

Intent to Graduate

Graduates must submit their Intent to Graduate form well before their actual graduation ceremony. Please review the UCF Academic Calendar to find the specific Graduation Application deadlines for your term. Once these deadlines have passed, graduates will need to contact their college advising office of their major to inquire about earning their degree this term. An Intent to Graduate application must be filed for each active program a student has declared.

Accessibility Services

UCF Student Accessibility Services (SAS) will respond to completed questionnaires within 3 business days. Please note: Wheelchairs are not provided. Accessible parking is available in parking Garage D and F. Those with state disability parking permits may park in either. Mobility-impaired individuals may also be dropped off in front of the Addition Financial Arena prior to parking.

An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be provided at the commencement ceremony for guests with hearing impairments. Closed captioning is also provided on large screens near the commencement stage. Assistive listening system receivers are available at Guest Relations, located on the main concourse level. Personal identification must be submitted and will be held until the receiver is returned. Seating near the interpreter is available to guests with hearing impairments. Guests should use the main entrance of the Addition Financial Arena. An elevator is located on the west side, to the left upon entering the main door of the lobby, to access seating areas. Posted signs and university staff will direct the guest and one companion to an accessible seating section in the Addition Financial Arena. Guests will have to check their walking assistive device if they choose to sit in the regular bowl seating area and not the accessible seating section. Posted signs and university staff will direct the guest and one companion to an accessible seating section in the Addition Financial Arena. Guests may park in Garage D and Garage H. Accessible parking is available in parking Garage D and F. Those with state disability parking permits may park in either Garage D or F. Mobility impaired individuals may be dropped off in front of the Addition Financial Arena prior to parking. Guests with questions should contact the Addition Financial Arena at 407-823-3070.

Arena Policies and Prohibited Items

The Addition Financial Arena does not allow backpacks of any kind or bags larger than 12’’ x 6’’ x 12’’ inside the arena. Guests who bring backpacks or large bags will be asked to return them to their car before entering the building. Plan to arrive approximately one hour prior to the ceremony.

Everyone is prohibited from bringing the following items into the Addition Financial Arena: balloons, bottles, cans, containers, glass vases, alcoholic beverages, noisemakers, air horns, laser pens, silly string, confetti, flags, banners, signs or posters.

Guests may bring one camera with a single lens no longer than 6 inches. Multiple lenses and additional camera equipment including camera bags are not permitted. Patrons are prohibited from taking pictures on the floors and the stairways of The Venue and Addition Financial Arena or near the Commencement stage. Guests should be made aware that the temperature inside the Addition Financial Arena is much cooler than outside, and they should plan to bring a jacket or sweater.

Other Information

Photography: Professional photography is available the day of commencement by GradImages.
First Aid: First aid is available on the main concourse level of the Addition Financial Arena. Paramedics will be available onsite throughout each ceremony.
Lost and Found: Lost and Found is located at the Addition Financial Arena Guest Relations office on the main concourse.
Flowers: Guests can purchase graduation day flower bouquets and leis at the Addition Financial Arena the day of commencement. Guests can also pre-order flower items online prior to the day of commencement at a discount price. Orders can be picked up at the Addition Financial Arena before and during each ceremony, but they are only permitted to be given to graduates after the ceremony.
Smoke-Free Campus: UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus.
Hotels: A variety of hotel accommodations are available near UCF. Contact the hotels directly to inquire about any discounts or special rates for guests attending the UCF Commencement.
Decoration of Caps: For bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates, the top of the cap may be decorated. The decoration must lay flat against the cap and extend no higher than the cap button to prevent obstructing the view of others.

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