Guests

Viejas Arena Information

Viejas Arena is SDSU’s primary commencement venue, with open air concourse perfect for greeting your new graduates after the ceremony.  Here are a few things you need to know about the arena before your visit:

• Please arrive early and be patient as we work to ensure a safe environment. All bags are subject to inspection before entering and while inside the facility.
• Viejas Arena is a clear bag venue. Bags must be clear plastic or clear vinyl and may not exceed 12" x 6" x 12" or a one-gallon clear plastic freezer bag. Small purses, bags, clutches or wallets (clear or non-clear) no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" will be allowed.
• A full list of prohibited items can be found on our Viejas Arena Venue Information page.
• All guests will require a mobile ticket to enter the venue. Visit the Ticket section of this page for additional information.
• Viejas Arena is a top-loading venue. There is no bottom- or mid-level guest entry into the arena. When guests enter the arena, they will be at the TOP of every section. Stairs with handrails are available in each section that guests can use to access their seats. More information about Viejas Arena’s seating arrangement can be found on our Viejas Arena Venue Information page.

Parking

Commencement 2026 parking information is forthcoming. Vehicles that are linked to an active student or employee parking permit do not need to pay the fee. Visit Transportation for directions, shuttle information and a campus map.

Graduates or guests with SDSU or disabled parking permits may park in any legal stall on campus.

Tickets

Graduates of each college will receive a specific allotment of guest tickets, based on number of graduates and venue capacity, that they can then transfer to their guests. All guests must have a mobile ticket to enter the arena.

Once commencement tickets are made available for graduates to claim, you will be able to coordinate the transfer of these tickets with your graduate.

Lodging

If you will be traveling to San Diego, be sure to reserve hotel accommodations in advance, as thousands of families will be coming to town that weekend. We are pleased to offer our out-of-town guests the "SDSU Friends and Family Rate" in partnership with Bartell Hotels. Visit SDSU Partnership to inquire about the special rate and to check out the amenities at Bartell's eight participating properties.

Accessibility and Accommodations

SDSU and Viejas Arena offer a number of accessibility and accommodation resources to ensure all graduates and guests have a positive commencement experience. Graduates or guests with SDSU or disabled parking permits may park in any legal stall on campus. There will also be a limited number of wheelchairs available for guests to use at no charge at the beginning of each commencement ceremony.

Visit our Disability Access page for more information on disabled parking/shuttles, wheelchairs, hearing/visual aid, and other accommodations.

Photography

Guests must remain seated until the conclusion of the ceremony. You will not be allowed to stand in the aisles or block the views of others in order to take photos or videos. Camera tripods are not allowed in Viejas Arena. There will be ample time after each ceremony to take photographs on campus with a wide variety of backdrops.

Graduation portrait photographers will be available during GradFest on March 24-26, 2026.

GradImages Photography will take photographs of each graduate on stage during the commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be sent no-obligation proofs of the commencement photographs via email and text after the event. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail. They will have the opportunity to purchase prints after they have seen their proofs.  

Prior to the ceremony, graduates can also pre-register by visiting the GradImages Photography website and clicking on “Pre-Event Email Registration.” There they will enter their email address and up to six emails for others to view and order photos.

If you have any questions about commencement ceremony photographs, please visit the SDSU photo portal of the GradImages Photography website or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.

Ceremony Livestreaming

Unable to attend Commencement in person? Watch our Commencement livestream from wherever you are! 

All ceremonies will be broadcast online on the SDSU homepage and Commencement site. All ceremonies will also stream on Facebook Live through the San Diego State University Facebook page.