Tickets Required for 2026 All-University Commencement
A live stream broadcast is also available
Graduating seniors must get free tickets for themselves and their friends and family to attend the All-University Commencement ceremony this year. Graduates can request up to four tickets for their guests.
Tickets Required for May 17, 2026, All-University Commencement
A live stream broadcast is also available
Boston University will again require graduating students attending the 2026 All-University Commencement at Nickerson Field to get tickets for themselves and their family and friends. Graduating students can request up to four tickets for guests, and all tickets are free.
On April 6, eligible graduates will receive an email with instructions for obtaining tickets. Only those graduating may request tickets; family members cannot do so on their behalf.
Individual school and college convocation ceremonies do not require tickets for entry, and there are no limits on how many guests can be invited. These celebrations are held over the course of a few days leading up to, and including, the day of the All-University Commencement. Graduates receive individual recognition—name reading, crossing the stage, and receiving diploma covers—at these smaller convocation ceremonies.
The All-University Commencement at Nickerson Field starts at 1 pm on Sunday, May 17. Guest access to Nickerson Field will begin at 11 a.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and be seated on Nickerson Field prior to the start of the ceremony. In case of safety or crowd control considerations, later arrivals may be directed to Agganis Arena to view the high-quality, real-time live stream of the ceremony, which includes ASL interpretation and closed captioning. (Agganis will also be used as a cooling station for the event.)
Graduates with unused tickets may transfer them to classmates through the Ticketmaster app. Tickets will be required for anyone attending the day’s ceremony, whether they are at Nickerson Field or Agganis Arena.
Per tradition, in addition to the conferring of degrees, the ceremony will include an address from BU President Melissa Gilliam and presentations to several honorary degree recipients and Metcalf Award winners. The names of the Commencement speaker, student speaker, honorary degree recipients, and Metcalf Award winners will be revealed at the annual Senior Breakfast in May.