Know Before You Go
Please see below copies of the emails containing important day-of information for graduates and their guests.
One June 9, 2026. the Commencement Team sent detailed emails to graduates with all the information guests will need to know before they attend the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
You can see the full copy of those emails below.
Guest Information - Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony
The 2026 Commencement Ceremony is approaching quickly. Be sure to forward this email to your guests or share these important details with them prior to the ceremony so they know what to expect.
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Guest Doors Open: 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony Begins: 11:00 a.m.
Expected Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Family and friends enter via the main east and west entrances – Entries 1 and 8. Each entrance has an accessible entry point to assist guests who need additional assistance. As required by Climate Pledge Arena, all guests will be subject to security screening through metal detectors prior to entry.
Note: Outside food or drinks are NOT allowed in the Climate Pledge Arena. Climate Pledge Arena is a cashless facility. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards are accepted. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
Personal storage is also available at The Mediterranean Inn (425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109), where belongings can be stored for $8 per item.
Seating inside Climate Pledge Arena is General Admission. There is no assigned seating. Ticket numbers listed on guest tickets are solely for tracking purposes, not for seat assignments. We ask that you only occupy the number of seats for which you have tickets.
Date: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Guest Doors Open: 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony Begins: 11:00 a.m.
Expected Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Transportation and Parking
Navigate to our Transportation and Parking webpage to read more about complimentary parking on campus and parking and drop-off zones at the Climate Pledge Arena.Guest Entry
Climate Pledge Arena is located at , on the grounds of Seattle Center in the shadow of the Space Needle. We encourage you to arrive early to park, walk, and enter the arena in time for the ceremony start. Guest doors to Climate Pledge Arena will open at 10 a.m. for the undergraduate ceremony.Family and friends enter via the main east and west entrances – Entries 1 and 8. Each entrance has an accessible entry point to assist guests who need additional assistance. As required by Climate Pledge Arena, all guests will be subject to security screening through metal detectors prior to entry.
Permitted/Prohibited Items and Bag Policy
View for the full bag policy and lists of permitted and prohibited items. You will be asked to return any items to your car that are prohibited or deemed inappropriate or dangerous by Climate Pledge Arena and its league affiliates, in their sole discretion. Or they can be surrendered at the doors.Note: Outside food or drinks are NOT allowed in the Climate Pledge Arena. Climate Pledge Arena is a cashless facility. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards are accepted. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
Personal Lockers and Storage
Locker rentals to store personal belongings during the ceremony will be available at , located just steps from Climate Pledge Arena. All lockers are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis on the locker-specific mobile app, . The mobile app also tracks and displays locker availability. Within Tom's Watch Bar, the lockers are located in the back corner of the bar. Tom's Watch Bar staff can assist guests with accessing the lockers, if needed.Personal storage is also available at The Mediterranean Inn (425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109), where belongings can be stored for $8 per item.
Ticketing and Seating
Students must distribute their tickets to guests in advance of the ceremony to ensure a smooth entrance. Please work directly with your graduating student to obtain your tickets - the Commencement Team will not be able to assist. Students should refer to the "There's Still Time to Claim and Distribute Guest Tickets" email sent by our office for instructions. Guests may scan their ticket on their phone or print it and scan it.Seating inside Climate Pledge Arena is General Admission. There is no assigned seating. Ticket numbers listed on guest tickets are solely for tracking purposes, not for seat assignments. We ask that you only occupy the number of seats for which you have tickets.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Guests requiring additional assistance due to limited mobility should notify the Climate Pledge Arena Guest Services member at the entry door for assistance with wheelchair transport and guidance to accessible seating. Please see Climate Pledge Arena's for specific information to support a low-stress, comfortable event. If you have remaining questions, please reach out to Climate Pledge Arena Guest Services directly at guestinfo@climatepledgearena.com or by calling 206-752-7200.Ceremony
Graduates will process from the north end of the arena to the south end and will be seated by college/school. Students are not lined up alphabetically.
Students' names, degrees, and honors (if applicable) will be displayed on the large screens, and their names will be read over the speakers as they cross the stage.
In keeping with the Climate Pledge Arena mission, an e-program will be available to view on your smartphone. You can view the e-program here on the day of the ceremony.
Students' names, degrees, and honors (if applicable) will be displayed on the large screens, and their names will be read over the speakers as they cross the stage.
In keeping with the Climate Pledge Arena mission, an e-program will be available to view on your smartphone. You can view the e-program here on the day of the ceremony.
Photographs
Guests will not be permitted to approach the stage to take photographs. University photographers and media representatives will provide photo coverage. There will be an opportunity for families and friends to take pictures outside the arena after the ceremony. We thank you for your cooperation.
Post-Ceremony
After the ceremony is over, graduates will exit the arena through the Loading Dock and join their guests on the Climate Pledge Arena Plaza. Plan to meet your graduate at a specific spot outside of Climate Pledge Arena. Graduates will not be permitted into guest areas inside Climate Pledge Arena. The arena must be promptly vacated after the ceremony to prepare for the next event.
We appreciate your help in taking the celebration outside to the plaza, International Fountain, or any other location on the Seattle Center grounds for photos, hugs, and high-fives.
More details about Commencement 2026 can be found on our website. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates on Sunday, June 14!
Best,
The Commencement Team
We appreciate your help in taking the celebration outside to the plaza, International Fountain, or any other location on the Seattle Center grounds for photos, hugs, and high-fives.
More details about Commencement 2026 can be found on our website. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates on Sunday, June 14!
Best,
The Commencement Team
Guest Information - Graduate Commencement Ceremony
The 2026 Commencement Ceremony is approaching quickly. Be sure to forward this email to your guests or share these important details with them prior to the ceremony so they know what to expect.
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2026
Guest Doors Open: 4:00 p.m.
Ceremony Begins: 5:00 p.m.
Expected Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Family and friends enter via the main west entrance – Entry 1. This entrance has an accessible entry point to assist guests who need additional assistance. As required by Climate Pledge Arena, all guests will be subject to security screening through metal detectors prior to entry.
Note: Outside food or drinks are NOT allowed in the Climate Pledge Arena. Climate Pledge Arena is a cashless facility. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards are accepted. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
Personal storage is also available at The Mediterranean Inn (425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109), where belongings can be stored for $8 per item.
Seating inside Climate Pledge Arena is General Admission. There is no assigned seating. Ticket numbers listed on guest tickets are solely for tracking purposes, not for seat assignments. We ask that you only occupy the number of seats for which you have tickets.
Students' names, degrees, and honors (if applicable) will be displayed on the large screens, and their names will be read over the speakers as they cross the stage.
In keeping with the Climate Pledge Arena mission, an e-program will be available to view on your smartphone. You can view the e-program here on the day of the ceremony.
We appreciate your help in taking the celebration outside to the plaza, International Fountain, or any other location on the Seattle Center grounds for photos, hugs, and high-fives.
More details about Commencement 2026 can be found on our website. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates on Sunday, June 14!
Best,
The Commencement Team
Date: Saturday, June 14, 2026
Guest Doors Open: 4:00 p.m.
Ceremony Begins: 5:00 p.m.
Expected Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Location: Climate Pledge Arena, 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Transportation and Parking
Navigate to our Transportation and Parking webpage to read more about complimentary parking on campus and parking and drop-off zones at the Climate Pledge Arena.Guest Entry
Climate Pledge Arena is located at , on the grounds of Seattle Center in the shadow of the Space Needle. We encourage you to arrive early to park, walk, and enter the arena in time for the ceremony start. Guest doors to Climate Pledge Arena will open at 4 p.m. for the undergraduate ceremony.Family and friends enter via the main west entrance – Entry 1. This entrance has an accessible entry point to assist guests who need additional assistance. As required by Climate Pledge Arena, all guests will be subject to security screening through metal detectors prior to entry.
Permitted/Prohibited Items and Bag Policy
View for the full bag policy and lists of permitted and prohibited items. You will be asked to return any items to your car that are prohibited or deemed inappropriate or dangerous by Climate Pledge Arena and its league affiliates, in their sole discretion. Or they can be surrendered at the doors.Note: Outside food or drinks are NOT allowed in the Climate Pledge Arena. Climate Pledge Arena is a cashless facility. Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards are accepted. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for sale.
Personal Lockers and Storage
Locker rentals to store personal belongings during the ceremony will be available at , located just steps from Climate Pledge Arena. All lockers are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis on the locker-specific mobile app, . The mobile app also tracks and displays locker availability. Within Tom's Watch Bar, the lockers are located in the back corner of the bar. Tom's Watch Bar staff can assist guests with accessing the lockers, if needed.Personal storage is also available at The Mediterranean Inn (425 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109), where belongings can be stored for $8 per item.
Ticketing and Seating
Students must distribute their tickets to guests in advance of the ceremony to ensure a smooth entrance. Please work directly with your graduating student to obtain your tickets - the Commencement Team will not be able to assist. Students should refer to the "There's Still Time to Claim and Distribute Guest Tickets" email sent by our office for instructions. Guests may scan their ticket on their phone or print it and scan it.Seating inside Climate Pledge Arena is General Admission. There is no assigned seating. Ticket numbers listed on guest tickets are solely for tracking purposes, not for seat assignments. We ask that you only occupy the number of seats for which you have tickets.
Accessibility and Accommodations
Guests requiring additional assistance due to limited mobility should notify the Climate Pledge Arena Guest Services member at the entry door for assistance with wheelchair transport and guidance to accessible seating. Please see Climate Pledge Arena's for specific information to support a low-stress, comfortable event. If you have remaining questions, please reach out to Climate Pledge Arena Guest Services directly at guestinfo@climatepledgearena.com or by calling 206-752-7200.Ceremony
Graduates will process from the north end of the arena to the south end and will be seated by college/school. Students are not lined up alphabetically.Students' names, degrees, and honors (if applicable) will be displayed on the large screens, and their names will be read over the speakers as they cross the stage.
In keeping with the Climate Pledge Arena mission, an e-program will be available to view on your smartphone. You can view the e-program here on the day of the ceremony.
Photographs
Guests will not be permitted to approach the stage to take photographs. University photographers and media representatives will provide photo coverage. There will be an opportunity for families and friends to take pictures outside the arena after the ceremony. We thank you for your cooperation.Post-Ceremony
After the ceremony is over, graduates will exit the arena through the Loading Dock and join their guests on the Climate Pledge Arena Plaza. Plan to meet your graduate at a specific spot outside of Climate Pledge Arena. Graduates will not be permitted into guest areas inside Climate Pledge Arena. The arena must be promptly vacated after the ceremony.We appreciate your help in taking the celebration outside to the plaza, International Fountain, or any other location on the Seattle Center grounds for photos, hugs, and high-fives.
More details about Commencement 2026 can be found on our website. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates on Sunday, June 14!
Best,
The Commencement Team