Undergraduate, Graduate School, Graduate School of Management and Health Sciences professional Commencement 2026 will be held at Fiserv Forum
Marquette’s 145th undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies will be held either Saturday, May 9, 2026 or Sunday, May 10, 2026, at Fiserv Forum, located at 1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave., Milwaukee. As has been the case in recent years, the exact date is not yet known because it is dependent upon the NBA playoffs schedule. So that families can plan, the university is sharing anticipated schedules for Commencement Weekend below.
The university will share the Commencement date – either May 9 or 10 – as soon as possible based on the Milwaukee Bucks’ playoff schedule. It is possible the exact date may not be known until early May 2026.
Due to venue capacity limits and the orientation of the stage within the venue, guest tickets will be required for the undergraduate Commencement ceremony. Each student will receive five guest tickets. Further information regarding the RSVP and ticketing processes will be shared in Marquette Today and via email in the coming months.
The School of Dentistry, Law School and some College of Health Sciences’ professional programs will hold separate ceremonies and will not be part of the Fiserv Forum festivities; details will be announced later. There are no other college-specific ceremonies.
Importantly, the Commencement ceremony RSVP process is entirely separate from the application for graduation process, which is handled by the Registrar’s Office. The application for graduation opened on Monday, October 6. Graduating students, please ensure to include your parents/guardian email addresses on your application for graduation to ensure they receive all pertinent information regarding Commencement details.
Marquette invites families of graduating students to celebrate Commencement Weekend in Milwaukee. Events will begin the evening of Friday, May 8, and continue throughout the weekend, including the president’s reception and the Baccalaureate Mass. Below are the anticipated schedules for each date scenario. Times will be announced later:
If commencement is on Saturday, May 9
Evening of Friday, May 8
President’s Reception
Saturday, May 9
Baccalaureate Mass at the Al McGuire Center
1 p.m. — Undergraduate Commencement ceremony at Fiserv Forum
5 p.m. — Graduate Commencement ceremony at Fiserv Forum
If commencement is on Sunday, May 10
Evening of Friday, May 8
President’s Reception
Saturday, May 9
Baccalaureate Mass at the Al McGuire Center
Sunday, May 10
11 a.m. — Undergraduate Commencement ceremony at Fiserv Forum
3 p.m. — Graduate Commencement ceremony at Fiserv Forum
The university understands that uncertainty with timing may create scheduling challenges for some families. Fiserv Forum is the best venue in Milwaukee for an event of this size with all the pomp and circumstance our graduates deserve.
Travel
Graduating student and their families are asked to consider travel accomocations as soon as possible. Please watch your email, Marquette Today and check the Commencement website for updates on the Fiserv Forum ceremonies as Commencement approaches.
Volunteering
Faculty and staff interested in volunteering for Commencement should contact University Special Events.
