Tickets

2026 Final Exercises Tickets were distributed to graduates Tuesday, May 5, 2026.


Degree candidates are eligible to receive 6 tickets to Final Exercises on the Lawn for family and guests. If the event moves to John Paul Jones Arena due to severe weather, candidates will receive 3 tickets.

Ticketing Terms & Conditions:

  • Guest tickets for Final Exercises at the University of Virginia have NO cash value.
  • The selling or bartering of Final Exercise tickets is strictly prohibited and is considered an honor offense.
  • If you are discovered to be selling or bartering Final Exercises tickets:
    • May lead to loss of guest ticket access.
    • Your guest ticket(s) being voided.
    • Referral to the Honor Committee.

 

For Questions about Final Exercises tickets email [email protected]

REQUEST YOUR FINAL EXERCISES TICKETS

  • To ensure you receive your tickets in May, log in to your athletics ticket account (uvashots.com) and request the number of tickets you would like to receive (up to 6 total guest tickets).
  • Ticket request will close Friday, May 1 at 11:59 p.m.
    • You must use your @virginia.edu email address to access your tickets. Alias or a school specific email address will not grant you access to tickets.
    • Examples: @darden.virginia.edu / @comm.virginia.edu 

 

  • Tickets will be distributed digitally to graduates via the Virginia Athletics ticketing system (Paciolan) on Tuesday, May 5th. Once distributed graduates can transfer tickets to their guest(s).
    • Your guest(s) must have a UVA athletics ticketing account to receive transferred tickets.
    • Make sure guests download tickets to their digital wallet before arriving on the Lawn. Cellular data and Wi-Fi are extremely unreliable once you reach the lawn, so downloading tickets onsite will be difficult. 

 

  • Requesting tickets early ensures timely delivery and helps resolve any issues before the second week of May.

 

  • Graduates who need more than the allotted 6 tickets can enter the ticket lottery for a chance to receive up to 2 additional tickets, based on availability.
    • To participate, simply log in to your athletics ticketing account. The option to request lottery tickets will appear right below where you selected your 6 guests tickets.  

 

Requesting tickets does not guarantee delivery.   
Only graduates approved to graduate as of May 1st by the university registrar will receive tickets.

 

Degree Candidate Entry

Degree candidates will need to be wearing academic regalia and scan their Final Exercises student ticket to gain access to the Lawn or John Paul Jones Arena. Student tickets will be available in the student's Virginia Athletics ticket account and should be added to their mobile wallet. Students only receive one student ticket. This ticket should not be transferred to family or guests, it is only valid at the entrances to the student assembly areas.

Download Your Tickets

 

Please be sure to download your tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone prior to departing for the Lawn.

Please make sure you are using a smartphone and browser in order to download tickets. Login at uvashots.com using your virginia.edu email address. 

Ticket only need to be downloaded to the phone that will be used at the guest entrances. Graduates do NOT need to download tickets unless they plan to use their phone and walk in with their guest. 

PDF Download Final Exercises Tickets

Step-by-Step

  • Tap the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.
  • Tap on My Tickets
  • Tap My Upcoming Events
  • Tap on Final Exercises to download tickets for:
    • ANDROID
      • Tap Save to Google Wallet
      • Tap Save
      • Complete these steps for all tickets you wish to download.
    • IPHONE
      • Tap Add to Apple Wallet
      • Tap Next in the top right corner.
      • Tap Done in the top right corner.
      • Complete these steps for all tickets you wish to download. 

Note

  • Download your tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone prior to departing for the lawn. Wifi and cell service are not reliable once you arrive on Grounds.   

  • Screenshots of tickets will not work!  

  • We recommend that you keep all the tickets on one phone and have everyone arrive together. This makes it easier to keep up with all your tickets and expedites your entry to the event.   

  • Tickets can only be scanned once!  

 

Transfer Your Tickets

Please be sure to download your tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone prior to departing for the Lawn.

To transfer your tickets, please make sure you are using a smartphone and browser. Login at uvashots.com using your virginia.edu email address 

PDF Transfer Final Exercises Tickets

Step-by-Step

  • Sign in to your account  

  • On the Account home screen, click “Transfer Tickets” from the middle menu. OR, click on the event you wish to transfer tickets from under “My Upcoming Events."  

  • If you clicked the “Transfer Tickets” button in the middle menu, select the ticket(s) you wish to transfer. Then hit the continue button. If you clicked “Transfer” on the event page, select the ticket(s) you wish to transfer.   

  • Enter the contact information for the person you would like to transfer the tickets to. You can choose to either transfer tickets via email OR mobile text. Click “Review Transfer” at the bottom of the screen.  

  • Once you have reviewed that the recipients’ phone number and ticket information are correct, click “Transfer Tickets” at the bottom of the screen.   

  • You will see a confirmation screen once the transfer has been sent. The recipient will receive a text message inviting them to accept the tickets.  

 

Accepting Transferred Tickets

Please be sure to download your tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet on your smartphone prior to departing for the Lawn.

To accept transfer your tickets, you must have an account.

  • Tickets when transferred move from account to account which is the reason for needing an account to accept transferred tickets. Once a person accepts a transfer, they will be prompted to create an account if they do not already have one.
PDF Accepting Transferred Final Exercises Tickets

Step-by-Step

  • You will receive a text message from 87593 saying that your friend is sending you tickets. Click on the link in the text message to accept. OR you will receive an email from [email protected], click Accept Transfer.  

  • If you already have a UVA ticket account, sign in using your email address and password. If you do not have a UVA ticket account, please click Create Account, and create an account.  

  • Click on the icon to Add to Your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Click “Add” to save to your Apple Wallet or “Save” to save the ticket to your Google Wallet.  

 

Severe Weather Tickets

  • If Final Exercises is moved to John Paul Jones Arena under the severe weather plan, degree candidates will receive three (3) guest tickets to Final Exercises.   

  • Once the weather call is made, all digital tickets for the ceremony on the Lawn will be canceled and new severe weather tickets will be sent to the degree candidates Virginia Athletics ticket account. Degree candidates can then transfer the tickets to their guests.   

Note

  • For ease of access, it is recommended that the degree candidate download all severe weather tickets to their mobile device and enter John Paul Jones Arena with their guests. 

 

TICKET REMINDERS & TIPS

  •  Ticket only need to be downloaded to the phone that will be used at the guest entrances. 

     

  • Graduates do NOT need to download tickets in order to transfer tickets.

 

  • Once you accept a transferred ticket do NOT try to transfer the ticket to yourself that you accepted. You simply need to download the ticket into your digital wallet.

 

  • You cannot transfer tickets from a digital wallet. Please log into your uvashots.com account from your phone in order to transfer the tickets. 

 

  • Printed / Screenshots of tickets will not be accepted at the guest entrances. Tickets must be in a digital wallet in order to work.

 

  • Make sure you are using a smartphone in order to download and transfer the tickets.

 

  • You will need to check with your department/school contact specifically on whether they are ticketing their ceremony or not. Digital tickets are strictly for Final Exercises on the lawn.

 

  • Tickets can be downloaded and transferred beginning Tuesday, May 5. 

 

  • If you are having any difficulties with tickets email [email protected] and include a description and screenshot of the issue along with your University ID and Computing ID.
    • Emails regarding ticket request or eligibility must come from graduates. 

Ticket FAQs

Does a toddler need a ticket?

  • Children under two years old do not need a ticket to attend Final Exercises if they are sitting on someone’s lap. All children three and older will need a ticket to attend.   

What if my guest doesn't have a smartphone?

  • Our recommendation is that the student downloads the tickets onto their device, and the guests should arrive with the student if they do not have a smartphone.   

Are tickets designated for the day I am graduating?

  • Tickets are specific by day (Saturday or Sunday, not both). Tickets are not interchangeable. For example, if a friend has an extra ticket for Saturday, it is only valid for use on Saturday and cannot be transferred for use on Sunday.   

Is there a specific ticket for accessibility seating?

  • Those utilizing the accessibility seating will be ticketed the same as general seating guests.

  • Accessible seating is available in front of Cocke Hall. Once inside of the Lawn parameters they can proceed to this seating area. It is intended for individuals using wheelchairs, or other mobility devices, along with one companion.   

What if I need more than 6 tickets?
  • Your options:
    • If another graduate has an extra guest ticket, they may transfer it to you.
    • Graduate tickets are not transferable. Only guest tickets can be transferred.
  • Important:
    • Tickets have no cash value. Selling or bartering tickets is strictly prohibited.
    • Tickets are day-specific (Saturday or Sunday). They cannot be used on a different day.
       
How does my guest create a UVAShots account to receive transferred tickets?
  • Your guest must create a UVAShots account before you can transfer tickets to them.
  • Use this link.
Can one person hold all guest tickets on their phone?
  • Yes. You may transfer all guest tickets to one person, and that person may enter with the entire group.
  • Important:
    • Do not print or screenshot tickets. Screenshots and printed tickets will not scan.
I requested two extra tickets. Why did I only receive one?
  • Requesting extra tickets entered you into a lottery for up to two tickets.
  • It did not guarantee that you would receive two tickets.
My Sunday Graduate Ticket says 5/16/26. Do I have the wrong ticket?
  • No. You have the correct Sunday ticket if:
    • The ticket is yellow, and
    • It says “Sunday” after “Graduate Ticket.”
  • The date shows 5/16/26 because Final Exercises Weekend begin that day.

 

Updated: January 22, 2026