Tudor Fieldhouse Ceremonies

Helpful details for your visit to Tudor Fieldhouse are available below.

Ceremony Ticketing

Rice University’s commencement ceremonies are private, ticketed events. A ticket is required for entry to both the Tudor Fieldhouse and Rice Stadium ceremonies. Below is important information about the ticket claiming process for all ceremonies.

  • Each degree candidate can request up to fifteen (15) guest tickets. Degree candidates may request additional tickets, as needed. Tickets are not transferable. Requests for additional tickets must be submitted by Wednesday, May 7, and will be approved if space permits.
  • An email with details on how to claim tickets has been sent to each degree candidate’s Rice email address. It is the degree candidate’s responsibility to claim their guest tickets via the unique URL sent to them.
  • Once guest tickets have been claimed by the degree candidate, it is their responsibility to send the tickets to their guests. The system will provide an option to either email the tickets to guests or to print the tickets. Guests will need to either pull up the ticket on their mobile device or have a physical copy to gain entry to the venue.
  • All guests over the age of 2 years old will be required to have a ticket for entry.
  • Rice students, faculty and staff guests will be granted entry with their Rice ID.
  • Re-entry into the stadium or fieldhouse will not be permitted after exiting.

Invitations to claim guest tickets will remain open until the conclusion of commencement weekend.

Tudor Fieldhouse Entry and Security Protocols

Doors will open 1.5 hours prior to each ceremony. There will be a bag-check at each of the entrances to Tudor Fieldhouse for both guests and degree candidates. Only small (4.5" x 6.5" max) or clear (12"x16" max) bags will be permitted. Please allow extra time for bag check and security.

Prohibited items for both guests and degree candidates include:

• Weapons of any kind
• Unauthorized banners, signs or flags
• Artificial noisemakers
• Balloons
• Oversized bags, large diaper bags, coolers, etc. (Exception: diaper bags)
• Pets (Exception: service animals)
• Tobacco products
• Food and Beverages (Exceptions: food for small children or medical issues; factory sealed bottled water)
• Laser pointers
• Drones

Restrooms, Water, First Aid

Restrooms are open throughout Tudor Fieldhouse. First aid triage is located in the lobby.

Photography and Videography

A professional photographer will take two (2) photographs of each diploma recipient. To help ensure that your eyes are open in the photo, make eye contact with the university official shaking your hand after you receive your diploma tube. Information on availability of those images will be sent to each graduate’s email address at their permanent email address on file.

Optional, complimentary Cap & Gown portrait sessions will be available at the following times:
May 7, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Farnsworth Pavilion, Ley Student Center
May 8, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - Farnsworth Pavilion, Ley Student Center
May 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. - 2nd Floor Conference Room, Ley Student Center
May 10, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. - Room 1402, Alice Pratt Brown Hall

To book an appointment for a complimentary Cap & Gown portrait session, please visit rice2025capgown.youcanbook.me/. (Walk-ups are welcome if time allows.) If you have any questions, please contact grads@mnathanphoto.com or 281-549-2367.

A recording of the entire ceremony will be made and will include each graduate receiving the diploma. Video recordings of ceremonies will be available the week following Commencement on Rice’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/RiceUniversity.

We ask that guests not leave their seats during the ceremony to take photographs of their graduate. Please observe all directions from the Marshals and ushers as they work to ensure the safety of our guests.

Web Broadcast

Commencement will be broadcast over the internet for family members and friends who are not able to attend the ceremony. The links will go live 20 minutes before scheduled start times. They also appear on the home page of https://commencement.rice.edu/video/current-event on the day of the event.