Family & Guest Information

Graduates claim guest tickets on Marching Order when they register to walk in the ceremony. Graduates are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests. Tickets can be printed or forwarded via email and presented digitally to enter the stadium. 

 Undergraduates can receive up to eight tickets.  Masters graduates can receive up to 10 tickets. 

All guests three years old and up must have a ticket to attend commencement. Children under the age of three do not need a ticket. 

Guest tickets are free and not available for purchase. Graduates needing more than their allotted tickets are encouraged to check with their fellow graduates to see if any extra tickets might be available. Please ensure these ‘extra’ tickets are for the proper ceremony. 

Gates open one hour before the ceremony.  Guests may start lining up as early as 90 minutes before the ceremony. There is ample seating in the stadium for all guests. 

Guests are advised to keep their tickets easily accessible as they approach the gates to enter the stadium.

On-site assistance for any guest ticketing issues or questions will be available at the Ticket Help Tents located outside of gates 1,2, and 4. 

There are several parking lots available on campus, and street parking is also available. To view all campus parking lots and the surrounding area please click the interactive campus/parking map available online.(opens in new window)(opens in new window)

Designated accessible parking spots will be available in the Health Center Parking Lot.

No drop-offs at the event location will be allowed before the ceremony or pick-ups following the ceremony. Please use caution as there may be many pedestrians, lots may be closed, and traffic may be diverted. 

No RVs, campers, or vehicles with trailers are allowed in any university parking area. 

Accessible seating is available inside the stadium for people who cannot navigate the bleachers. Accessible seating is first-come, first-served, and reservations are not required or accepted. One guest can accompany the person who requires accessible seating.

Accessible guest parking is available in the WellCat Health Center and University Stadium Parking lots. A DP placard or license plate is preferred but not required, and University Police will assess requests for vehicles without a DP placard or plate upon arrival. Courtesy shuttles between the Health Center and Stadium parking lots and the gates will also be available upon request (no prior reservation is required or accepted).

With advance notice, ASL interpreters may be available for stadium ceremonies.

All ceremonies will be live-streamed to the University’s stream page (see Broadcast Ceremonies below).  These live streams will be captioned.

Trained service animals are permitted inside the University Stadium. Pets are not allowed (comfort or emotional support animals are not service animals and are considered pets). Guests are encouraged to contact ARC if they plan to bring a service animal.

To request reasonable accommodations, please contact the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC) at 530-898-5959, arcdept@csuchico.edu, or visit the ARC website(opens in new window) for more information.

Most reasonable accommodation requests made at least two weeks in advance will be accommodated.  

• When you arrive at the stadium, text your grad to find out what COLOR section they will be seated in. Look for the color-coded flags and paint in the grad seating area.
• Make a plan in advance for where to meet your grad after the ceremony. Guests will not be permitted to come onto the field.
• A DIGITAL program will be available as guests enter the stadium. Look for the QR Code on the signs throughout the stadium.
• Each graduate will be given a PRINTED commemorative souvenir program when they line up. If there are extra printed programs at the end of a ceremony, they may be available to guests.
• In addition to the concessions for sale, FREE water refill stations will be available at the stadium's south end. You may use your container.
• No congregating on the track during the ceremony. This area must remain clear in the event of an emergency.
• In an emergency, take direction from the stage announcer and turn your attention to the slides on the jumbotron.
• If you leave the stadium during the ceremony, you can only re-enter at Gate 4 (southwest entrance).

Plan your visit accordingly to ensure a smooth entry.

The following items will not be permitted to enter University Stadium, and gate security will not hold these items, so please leave them at home: large bags/backpacks, coolers, umbrellas, banners/large signs, pop-up tents, balloon bouquets, weapons, fireworks, alcoholic beverages, glass containers, drugs, pets, skateboards.  

Chico State is a smoke-free, vape-free campus. 

All guests will undergo a security screening (metal detection system) when entering the stadium. Larger bags are subject to search. Confiscated items will not be returned, so please leave them at home. 

GradImages is the contracted photography vendor for Chico State commencement.  

Prior to the ceremony, graduates are invited to pre-register for their photos by visiting www.gradimages.com and clicking “Pre-Event Email Registration.” They can enter their email address and up to six additional emails for others to view and order photos.

During the ceremony, GradImages will take photos of each graduate before they get to the stage and then again while they are on stage. Shortly after the event, each graduate will be sent no-obligation proofs of their commencement photographs via email and text. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail to their “permanent” address on file with the University. These photos will be available for purchase.   

If you have questions about commencement ceremony photographs, please visit www.gradimages.com or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.

Guests can take photos and shoot cell phone videos from their seats. Guests will not be allowed to stand on the track or block the views of others in order to take photos or videos. Camera tripods are not allowed in the University Stadium.

Guests will also find the following items available for sale inside the stadium for their convenience: 

• University bookstore/dining selling snacks, beverages, and various commencement-related souvenir items. 
• The Commencement Group vendor selling flower leis, kukui leis, and the official 2024 Grad T-shirt 

If you will be traveling to Chico, reserve hotel accommodations in advance, as thousands of families will be coming to town that weekend. Here are something helpful links to inquire for more!

• Explore Butte County(opens in new window)
• City of Chico(opens in new window)
• Chico Chamber of Commerce(opens in new window)
• Downtown Chico(opens in new window)