2025 Winter Commencement

Tickets are not required for the ceremony. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance ticket reservations will be required. If you have a split group they can enter from different entrances and sit wherever they like.

In an effort for all graduates to bring guests, we kindly ask graduates to limit their guests to 10 or fewer.

Morning Ceremony

Ceremony Starts: 10:00 AM MST

Doors Open: 9:00 AM MST

Participating Colleges:

• College of Business and Economics

• College of Education

• College of Health Sciences

Afternoon Ceremony

Ceremony Starts: 3:00 PM MST

Doors Open: 2:00 PM MST

Participating Colleges:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• College of Innovation and Design
• School of Public Service

Elevator Access:

• Elevators are available in Lobbies 1 and 2.

Hearing Impairment Assistance Available:

• The Arena has an Assistive Listening System (ALS). At the entry, ask a Guest Services staff member for a receiver unit.

Accessible Parking

• West Stadium parking lot, located between ExtraMile Arena and Albertsons Stadium, will be reserved for accessible parking for patrons and their families. Accessible parking is also available in the Lincoln Avenue Garage.

• Elevators are located in the lobby of entrances 1 or 2 of the ExtraMile Arena. Guests who are unable to walk a long distance may be dropped off in front of the Arena.

Seating for Guests with Accessible Needs:

• Seating for guests with accessible needs and guests in wheelchairs is available.
• Spaces to accommodate wheelchairs and/or chairs required for accessible seating needs are limited and located on all three seating levels.
• The top row of seats in the parquet level will be signed/reserved for guests with accessible seating needs. These seats are available on a first-come/first-served basis.
• If you or a member of your party sit in this top row but don’t have an accessible seating need, you may be relocated.

Sensory Kits:

• ExtraMile Arena is equipped with complimentary sensory kits, complete with passive noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a weighted lap pad, and a verbal cue card.
• A guest in need of a sensory kit can request one from any of our Guest Services staff.
• When checking out a kit, guests will be required to leave valid identification (e.g., a driver’s license) as collateral.

Sensory Room:

• ExtraMile Arena has a sensory room that creates a safe and calming environment for guests who are experiencing sensory issues.
• Located in Lobby 3, the sensory room provides a space for guests who may feel overwhelmed or overstimulated.
• See a Guest Services staff member for additional information on access to and use of this room.

Spanish Translation:

• Receiver units that transmit the ceremony into Spanish can be checked out at a table in Lobby 2.

Wheelchair Assistance:

• Guest Services staff wheelchair escorts are available at any entry point for transportation to and from seating areas.
• Please work with staff if you need help in finding a seat for the duration of the event, as Arena wheelchairs are reserved for guests requesting assistance.

By entering, you agree to the following (and if you are a minor, your parents/guardians agree to the following on your behalf):

• Assumption of Risk: You assume all risk and accept all responsibility for any injuries or illnesses that might result not only from your actions, inaction, or negligence, but also that of others, the condition of the venue, and/or your presence at this event. Boise State University, the State Board of Education, and the State of Idaho are not responsible for any such injuries or illnesses, or any lost, damaged, or stolen property.
• Screening: If applicable, you agree upon entry to security and advanced medical screenings and consent to such screening. You waive and release Boise State, the Idaho State Board of Education, and the State of Idaho for any claims which might arise related to such security and advanced medical screenings. In the event you choose to not submit to security and advanced medical screening, you will be denied entry into the venue.

• The Arena is not responsible for any items left inside or outside the facility.
• However, there are times when items left in the Arena are turned into our front desk.
• Call 208-426-1900 to check for a lost item.

• Clear bags no larger than 12" x 12" x 6" are required.
• Small purses or wallets 6.5" x 4" are allowed.
• Backpacks, regardless of size, are not allowed.
• Exceptions may be made (but are not guaranteed) for bags necessary for medical or children's needs.

• Professional cameras (defined as cameras with detachable lenses) ARE allowed into the venue for this event.
• Bipods and tripods are NOT allowed.

• Light food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.
• A map of concessions locations at ExtraMile Arena is available on the Eat & Drink Page*.
  • *Please note, concessions will change on an event-by-event-basis.

Payment Type Options

• To increase efficiency with concessions sales and enhance customer experience, ExtraMile Arena only accepts credit/debit cards, phone payment apps, and prepaid debit cards.
• Reverse ATMs have been added to convert cash to prepaid debit cards at no cost to patrons.
• For more information, please visit the Cash-to-Card FAQ Page.

• Re-entry (entering, exiting, and entering again) is permitted for this event.
• Re-entry will require guests to be screened again prior to re-entry.

• Gifts, flowers, and other items are allowed into the venue for this event.
• Glass items/flower vases will be allowed in but must be checked and held in the lobby for pickup after the event.
• Flowers and related graduation items will be available for purchase at the Arena while supplies last.

Ceremonies will be livestreamed. Please check the Boise State University Commencement Page to find the livestream links. 

Parking on Campus is Free All Day*

• This includes reserved parking lots, pay lots, and parking garages on campus. 
• Parking is available to attendees in the stadium lots at University and Broadway and at the Lincoln Avenue Garage at University and Lincoln.
• Please do not park in spaces with signage designated for specific purposes or service vehicles.

      *All metered spaces require payment at all times.

Accessible Parking

• West Stadium parking lot, located between ExtraMile Arena and Albertsons Stadium, will be reserved for accessible parking for patrons and their families. Accessible parking is also available in the Lincoln Avenue Garage.

• Elevators are located in the lobby of entrances 1 or 2 of the ExtraMile Arena. Guests who are unable to walk a long distance may be dropped off in front of the Arena.

Shuttles

• Shuttles will run between the Lincoln and Brady Garages at ExtraMile Arena. 

Student Drop Off

• Bronco Lane accessed through east side University Drive will be open for student drop off before the ceremony. 

At the end of the ceremony, graduates will exit out of the auxiliary gym on both the northwest and southwest sides of the Arena.

In order to keep guests safe and reduce unnecessary touchpoints, the following items are prohibited*:

• Weapons of any kind including but not limited to: guns, knives, chains, spikes, collars, and some jewelry
• Outside food, beverages, and alcohol of any kind
• Any opaque backpacks, bags, or purses larger than 12" x 12" x 6"
• Wrapped packages, briefcases, or suitcases
• Animals, pets, and emotional support animals - unless certified service animal with official documentation
• Laser pointers/pens
• Drones, video cameras, cameras with removable lenses, tripods, selfie sticks, laptops, or tablets
• Illegal substances
• Objects that can used as projectiles
• Large signs, banners, or props which would disrupt an event or show, unless expressly authorized by the event or show
• Artificial noisemakers, including air horns or whistles
• Unauthorized fireworks, chemicals, or pyrotechnics of any kind
• Any item that creates a disruption, health or safety hazard to the event
• Other items expressly prohibited by the event or show

*ExtraMile Arena is not restricted to or limited to these listed items and management reserves the right to handle each occurrence on a case-by-case basis. Each patron is subject to search. Refusal of search will result in non-admittance.

Depending on the item, the patron may either be asked to remove them from the facility, dispose of them, or may be denied entrance or be ejected from the facility.

Changes to prohibited items are subject to change without notice at any time and at the discretion of ExtraMile Arena Management. It will be the responsibility of the patron to establish clarification on these items specific to the event at ExtraMile Arena's website or by call (208) 426-1900.

Guest Entrances

• Guest Entrances: Entry 1* & Entry 2*
• Morning Ceremony Doors Open: 9:00 AM MST
• Afternoon Ceremony Doors Open: 2:00 PM MST

*There is an elevator available for use in each entry. 

• For your safety, all guests entering the Arena are subject to a metal-detector screening, visual inspection, and bag inspection conducted by Arena security personnel.
• Refusal to agree to the search may result in non-admittance.
• Prohibited items include anything that can be deemed a threat to public safety, regardless of permit.
• In the event that prohibited items are revealed during a search, guests may either return the item to their vehicle or the item will be surrendered.
• Surrendered items will be disposed of and not returned.

Smoking and vaping are only permitted in the designated area outside of Lobby 4.