The Marquette University community looks forward to celebrating the many accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during Commencement Weekend, May 8-9. As we near this special time for our graduating students, we wanted to share a few reminders.
As always, this and other Commencement information, including ticketing, parking, venue policies and more, are available on the Commencement website.
- A reception celebrating the Class of 2026 will be held on Friday, May 8, at 5 p.m., on Ray and Kay Eckstein Common (the outdoor gathering space east of the Alumni Memorial Union). The reception will be hosted by President Kimo Ah Yun. There is no formal program or dinner at the reception. All graduates and their families are invited to attend.
- Baccalaureate Mass will be held Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. at the Al McGuire Center on campus. All graduating Marquette students and their guests are welcome. Graduating students are invited to attend in their academic regalia and to participate in the annual procession of graduates at the start of Mass; students wishing to do so must arrive by 8:40 a.m.
- Marquette’s 145th Commencement ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 9, at Fiserv Forum, located at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee. The undergraduate ceremony will be at 1 p.m.; the Graduate School and Graduate School of Management ceremony will be at 5 p.m. The School of Dentistry, Law School and College of Health Sciences’ professional programs will hold separate ceremonies and will not be part of the Fiserv Forum ceremonies.
- Links to the livestreams of both the undergraduate and graduate ceremonies are available on the Commencement website.
Ticketing
For entry into the 2026 undergraduate Commencement ceremony, guests will need to provide a digital ticket. For easy access to digital tickets, direct guests to download the Ticketmaster app.
Please transfer tickets to your guests prior to the day of Commencement. Once tickets are transferred, the guest is the valid ticketholder.
- For details on transferring tickets, please see further instructions using this link to Ticketmaster.
- For details on accepting transferred tickets, please see further instructions using this link to Ticketmaster.
Fiserv Forum does not accept tickets printed in PDF format. All ticket holders arriving with a PDF ticket will be asked to use their digital ticket to gain entry.
There will be no ticketing requirement nor a limit on guests for the Graduate School, Graduate School of Management and Health Sciences professional ceremony because of the sizes of those classes.
Frequently asked questions
What time do doors open at Fiserv Forum?
Doors will open for the undergraduate ceremony at 11 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. for the graduate ceremony. Please arrive early to allow time to go through metal detection upon entry.
What options are there for parking?
Parking near Fiserv Forum is available in the Fifth Street Parking Structure (1215 N. 5th St.) or in the Highland Garage (1030 N. 6th St.). It is highly recommended to prepay for parking in either structure by going to the links posted on the left-hand column of the Commencement website.
For additional parking options, visit the Fiserv Forum website.
Can I bring a bag or purse into Fiserv Forum?
There is a no bag policy at Fiserv Forum. Wallets smaller than 4” x 6” x 1” are permitted. Exceptions to this policy are diaper bags and bags needed due to medical necessity, which will need to be x-rayed by security.
How long are the ceremonies?
The undergraduate ceremony is about two and a half hours, while the graduate ceremony is about an hour and a half.
Where can I watch the livestream?
The livestream will be available at the top of the Commencement page once available.
Can I bring flowers to the ceremony to give to my graduate?
Yes, guests can bring flowers.
Where can I pick up flowers that were preordered from the Commencement Group?
The Commencement Group will have tables in the main concourse and outside of sections 114 and 121.
Can I bring a sign or flag to the ceremony?
There will be no signs or flags allowed into Fiserv Forum for Commencement. All guests will go through security at the entrances.
Will concessions be open during graduation? Can I bring unopened water bottles into Fiserv Forum?
Concessions will be available. However, guests may not bring outside food or beverages into the venue.
What ADA accomodations are available at Fiserv Forum?
A drop-off area is located along Juneau Avenue and Vel R. Phillips Avenue near the BMO Entrance at the northeast entrance of the building. There are seven guest elevators throughout Fiserv Forum located in the northeast corner (by Section 120), southeast corner (by Section 102) and northwest corner (by Section 113). There are a number of ADA platforms located throughout the arena.
Can attendees bring a camera or bag?
Guests may bring non-professional cameras into Fiserv Forum, unless otherwise specified by Fiserv Forum Management. Guests may not engage in commercial photography of any kind without the prior written approval of Fiserv Forum Management. Prohibited visual and audio equipment includes:
- Flash photography
- Monopods or tripods
- Cameras with interchangeable or detachable lenses
- Cameras with lenses greater than 3.5 inches long (including through the use of the zoom feature)
- Selfie sticks
- Audio/visual recording devices including, but not limited to: GoPro, Google Glass, Spectacles, etc.
- Drones
Is there a photographer capturing anything for purchase as students receive and exit the stage with their diploma?
Empire Photography will take pictures of each graduate as they cross the stage. Proofs will be emailed the week of May 11 directly to graduates and the parent/guardian they included on their application for graduation. Photos will also be available on the Empire Photography website at empirephotos.com/MUgrad.
Are there any other items I am not allowed to bring?
A full list of prohibited items is available on the Fiserv Forum website.
