The December commencement ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.

All graduates must have pre-registered to attend the Commencement Ceremony.

All guests must have a ticket to attend the University of Tampa Commencement ceremony at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Tickets are distributed electronically to all registered graduates to give to invited guests at their discretion.

To get to the Florida State Fairgrounds please use the address 4800 US-301, Tampa, FL 33610.

Graduates and Guests should enter the Florida State Fairgrounds via the US 301 or the MLK Blvd entrances only. 

The venue is about 15-20 minutes from campus without traffic. Please plan for congestion around the fairgrounds area, and at least a 45 minute drive with parking.

Parking is FREE, just let the attendant know that your are attending the commencement ceremony.

Graduate Check-In opens at 9 a.m. and is located in the Entertainment Hall at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Graduates and guests will park in the same lot, but enter through separate entrances. Staff and UTampa Diplomats will assist with directions. 

Tickets are not required for graduates.

Graduates will go through security screening upon arrival (metal detector and bag check), and should carry their regalia over their arm until after security.

Graduates can put on regalia in the check-in area. Graduates must be fully dressed in cap, gown, and hood (if applicable), and be checked-in no later than 9:35 a.m. 

Preseating will close at 9:45 a.m. Graduates arriving after this time will be seated after the National Anthem. Please note that seats cannot be held. If you plan to sit with friends, please line up for pre-seating together.

The ceremony lasts approximately two hours, please plan your post-ceremony activities accordingly. Graduates are expected to attend the ceremony in it's entirety.

All graduates must comply with the University of Tampa Student Code of Conduct and Fairgrounds rules. Violation of these policies may result in disciplinary action. Commencement is symbolic and does not constitute official degree conferral.

Doors open at 9 a.m., guests will not be admitted into the venue before this. 

All guests must have a ticket. Once a guest ticket has been scanned at the entryway, it cannot be scanned again. Graduates should refrain from inviting more than the allotted ticket amount as extra tickets on the day of the ceremony are not available, and guests without tickets will not be permitted to enter the ceremony. 

Tickets can either be presented and scanned from a printed copy or from any smart device. Each ticket has a unique QR code and cannot be scanned more than once.

All graduates and guests will pass through security gates and a bag check upon entrance to the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall. Prohibited items must immediately be returned to the owner’s vehicle or disposed of before entering the commencement venue. Failure to do so will result in being denied admittance to the ceremony.

Please review the Permitted and Prohibited Items list before the event. Concessions are available within the venue. Additionally, vendors will be selling flowers and gifts prior to each ceremony, so you can find the perfect memento to celebrate this special occasion.

Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and specific seating reservations are not available. The Expo Hall is an indoor venue with stadium seating and no elevators or escalators. If any guests need ADA seating, please have your graduate reach out to the Commencement team to request ADA tickets, as available.

To ensure a smooth experience, we recommend planning ample time for navigating traffic and getting through security.

The ceremony lasts approximately two hours, please plan your post-ceremony activities accordingly. Graduates are expected to attend the ceremony in it's entirety.

Guests attending the May 2026 Commencement ceremonies are encouraged to make lodging arrangements early, as local accommodations fill quickly during graduation weekend.

Courtyard Tampa Downtown
To reserve Courtyard online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. For questions or booking assistance, contact Courtyard Tampa Downtown reservations at (813) 229-1100 and use "University of Tampa" as the reservation code. 

Hampton Inn by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District
To reserve Hampton Inn online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. For questions or booking assistance, contact Hampton Inn by Hilton Tampa Downtown Channel District reservations at 1-800-HAMPTON (426-7800) and use "University of Tampa" as the reservation code. 

Home2 Suites
To reserve Home2 Suites online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. For questions or booking assistance, contact Home2 Suites reservations at 1-800-6HOME02 (646-6302) and use "University of Tampa" as the reservation code. 

Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore
To reserve Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. The "Corporate/Group Code" section under "Special Rates" will auto-populate with the reservation code 24922. For questions or booking assistance, contact Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore reservations at 1-800-233-1234 and state you are visiting "University of Tampa" and use "24922" as the reservation code to receive the special group rate. 

Palihouse Hyde Park Village
To reserve Palihouse online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. For questions or booking assistance, contact Palihouse Hyde Park Village reservations at (813) 820-1685 and use "UOFTAMPA" as the reservation code. 

Residence Inn Tampa Downtown
To reserve Residence Inn online, enter your arrival and departure dates and select "Check Availability" to view the University of Tampa rate. For questions or booking assistance, contact Residence Inn Tampa Downtown reservations at (813) 221-4224 and use "University of Tampa" as the reservation code.