Graduation
2026 Spring Ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies for the class of 2026 will be held May 9 at First Bank & Trust Arena on campus. Graduates who complete the RSVP will receive six complimentary guest tickets for their designated ceremony.
Graduates, associate through doctoral degrees, will walk with their respective colleges at the following times:
- 10 a.m. – College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences and the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering.
- 2 p.m. – College of Education and Human Sciences, College of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.
- 6 p.m. – College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Natural Sciences.
Ticket and Arena Information
Event Venue Information:
Graduation will be held at the First Bank & Trust Arena on Saturday, May 9.
Visitors will be able to access the venue by the main entrance at the southeast side of the building (facing the parking lots) or by using the student game day entrance on the southwest side of the building (facing the University Student Union).
- The arena doors will open one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Please have your tickets downloaded before arrival to ensure a smooth entrance process for all guests.
ADA Information:
We want to ensure a positive experience for all our graduates, their families and friends. First Bank & Trust Arena is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and has guest elevators and access to seating for all abilities. We know many attending this event will need accommodations and have identified additional areas in which accessible viewing can take place.
The individual in need and a companion will be accommodated in the accessible seating area, but other guests may need to sit in general seating in proximity. Campus volunteers and admissions ambassadors will be available to help direct guests to the closet available seating.
- First Bank & Trust Arena locations.
Service Animal Information:
- Please follow the linked information about SDSU's service animal policy for the day of graduation.
Ticket and Bag Policy:
Please have your graduation tickets downloaded prior to your arrival for a smooth entrance experience. Volunteers will provide directions when loading and unloading into the arena.
- Seating for the day is general admission. Please leave no gaps between you and other families.
First Bank & Trust Arena is a clear bag-recommended event venue.
- All visitors and bags are subject to search.
- Prohibited items include: Artificial noise makers, balloons, balls, umbrellas, tobacco and tobacco-related products, outside food and beverages, laser pointers, confetti, party poppers and unauthorized weapons.
- No reentry will be allowed.
Transferring Tickets Instructions
Parking Information
A SDSU parking map can be found here: Parking lot map.
ADA parking will be located in lots 151 and 152 between the University Student Union and First Bank & Trust Arena.
Guests will find the most parking in the parking lots directly east of First Bank & Trust Arena.
- Parking lots 158, 159 and 160.
What is Open on Campus?
Campus Food options for Saturday, May 9, will include:
- Union Coffee 8 a.m.-noon
- Ice Cream pop-up shop (Yummobile)
- Noon-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
- Concession stands in First Bank & Trust Arena
Please note that ice cream can be found at the Yummobile pop-up locations posted above, as the SDSU Dairy Bar will be closed on Saturday, May 9.
Campus Activity Locations:
Jackrabbit Central
- Open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the University Student Union
McCrory Gardens
- Open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Free for all SDSU students (we ask that guests be with the graduate to obtain the free admission)
South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum
- 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Free admission.
South Dakota Art Museum
- 10 a.m-4 p.m.
- Free admission
Brookings Community:
To learn more about places to stay, eat and explore in the city of Brookings, go to .
Graduates who complete the RSVP will receive six complimentary guest tickets for their designated ceremony.
