Penn's 271st Commencement Ceremony Information

Penn's 271st Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2027 will take place on Monday, May 24, 2027 in Franklin Field at 10:15 a.m., and is preceded by student and academic processions to the stadium.

The gates to Franklin Field will open at 8:00 a.m. Guests should enter the stadium through the entrance located at South Street and Convention Avenue. All guests will be subject to security screening.

franklin field at commencement

Degree candidates will assemble on campus, process to Franklin Field, and enter the stadium at 9:30 a.m. All degree candidates are required to wear academic regalia. The ceremony will begin at 10:15 a.m. once the academic procession (the President's party and the faculty) has arrived at Franklin Field. Commencement will conclude at approximately noon. 

The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker, who will be announced in the spring. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Tickets are not required for admission.

Please visit Franklin Field Policies for a list of prohibited items for the ceremony in Franklin Field.  Guests and graduates will not be permitted inside Franklin Field if they have any of these prohibited items.

Candidates for degrees in May, as well as graduates who completed degree requirements in August or December 2026, are invited to march in the procession and attend the Commencement ceremony.

Disability Seating at Commencement

Seating is available if you require special seating due to a wheelchair, limited physical mobility, or other medical condition. Due to space constraints, guests on the track level may be accompanied by only one companion. The stadium is bench seating. Personal seat cushions/chair backs are allowed, provided they are all canvas (no metal).  Information on reserving this seating will be available in March 2027.

Accessible Seating for School Ceremonies

Accessible seating for School ceremonies is coordinated separately, by each School. Please see the School ceremonies page for contact information.

Commencement information materials are available in alternate formats upon request. Advance notice is required.

/ceremonies/school-ceremonies

School Ceremonies

/ceremonies/baccalaureate

Baccalaureate Ceremony

/ceremonies/speaker-and-honorary-degrees

Speaker & Honorary Degrees

/ceremonies/history-and-traditions

History & Traditions

/ceremonies/historical-notes

Historical Commencement Notes

PHILADELPHIA WEATHER

Address & Phone

1 College Hall, Room 211
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7006