BENDER ARENA LAYOUT
AU’s commencement ceremonies are held in Bender Arena on campus. Guest seating depends upon the number of graduates (and faculty) attending the ceremonies, and tickets are required for our two largest ceremonies—9:00 a.m.,School of Public Affairs and Kogod School of Business, and 4:30 p.m., School of International Service and School of Communication. See Ticketing & Remote Viewing for more information.
Doors open approximately 45 minutes before each ceremony. No one will be permitted inside prior to that time. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Guests should arrive in time to park and be seated in the arena no later than ten minutes before the start of each ceremony. No one will be admitted during the processional.
To ensure the comfort of our guests and in accordance with local fire safety laws, aisles must be kept clear at all times. Guests are asked to cooperate with ushers and public safety officers and to keep designated areas clear. All bags are subject to search, and large signs, banners, and other objects that impede visibility are not permitted.
Floorplans for each of the ceremonies appear below.
