XFINITY CENTER
The University of Maryland hosts 18 commencement ceremonies across four campus venues. This page covers information specific to the XFINITY Center. Be sure to find the information specific to the venue(s) you will be visiting. A full list of ceremonies and venues is available on the School & College Ceremony Overview page.
Location
- The XFINITY Center is located at 8500 Paint Branch Dr, College Park, MD 20740.
- Gates A-E are open to all guests and graduates.
- All gates open 1 hour prior to the first ceremony and remain open until the final ceremony of the day.
- Guests are recommended to enter at gates A, B, and E.
- Graduates should enter to line up at or near Gate D.
- Gates C and D may be held for graduate-preferred entrance at certain times.
Accessibility
- Accessible seating is available for guests in wheelchairs and limited mobility in Sections 120 and 121 (3rd level concourse), Section 216, and Section 225. Each guest utilizing accessible seating will be allowed three companion seats as well.
- The elevator located near Section 217 can be used to navigate between all levels of XFINITY.
- Accessible seating is available for guests with limited mobility in fixed seating, in and near section 120.
- Guests in wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility should park in Terrapin Trail Garage, and enter through Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway to section 120-121.
- This venue offers assistive listening devices and other accessibility services upon request.
- American Sign Language interpretation is available upon request. You must request this service from the ceremony coordinator in advance of the ceremony. Services are limited to availability. Contact the school ceremony planning team for seating instructions.
- Captions will be projected on the central video board, which is visible from all seating sections.
- Additional questions about accessibility, including seating, closed captioning, and sign language, can be found on the venue accessibility page.
Bag Policy and Prohibited Items
- All bags will be searched upon entry.
- Clear bags are not required, but are heavily encouraged for easiest entry. Bag policy requirements (such as size and discouraged bag types) that are usually required at UMD Athletics facilities are also recommended.
- Balloons, megaphones, noisemakers, poles, and sticks are not permitted.
- Personal signs are allowed. Please be mindful not to obstruct the views of other guests when holding your sign.
- The XFINITY Center follows the Prohibited Items & Behavior policy of UMD Athletics facilities.
Parking
Parking is available in the lots surrounding the XFINITY Center, including Terrapin Trail Garage, lots 9b, XX1, 11b, RR2, and 4b.
Guests in wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility should park in Terrapin Trail Garage, and enter through Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway.
When driving to XFINITY Center you should enter campus at Route 193 and Paint Branch Drive or at Terrapin Trail Garage. You should avoid the vehicle entrances on Baltimore Avenue.
Traffic on campus can be busy during commencement. Give yourself additional time to travel to campus for these ceremonies.
Obey all campus parking and traffic signage and regulations.
The following navigation recommendations are made for guests and graduates attending subsequent Commencement activities at XFINITY and SECU. These recommendations pertain to the transition between ceremonies, to allow everyone to make informed and efficient parking and travel decisions.
- For GRADUATES: Consider walking (for those who are able) to SECU Stadium by exiting through XFINITY Gate C. Proceed to the Campus Drive entrance of Historic Cole Field House to join the Procession Line-up in the adjoining Jones-Hill House. This route takes 15-20 minutes by foot.
- For GUESTS: If you park in an XFINITY Center parking lot, consider walking (for those who are able) to SECU Stadium by exiting through XFINITY Gate E. Gates A, B & C at SECU Stadium are the shortest distance from the XFINITY Center. This route takes 10-15 minutes by foot.
- For those in need of mobility assistance, ADA-accessible shuttles will be staged outside of the XFINITY Center, accessible by exiting through XFINITY Gate C. Stadium Drive Garage is also a designated ADA parking lot for all Main Ceremony attendees.
- Guests relocating their vehicles from the XFINITY Center should anticipate and expect delays.
- Visit the Graduate Checklist page for more Main Ceremony information for graduates.
Contact
If you have questions about attending a ceremony in the XFINITY Center, please contact the coordinator for your ceremony. Coordinator contact information for each ceremony is available on the School & College Ceremony Overview page.
For more information about the venue, visit the XFINITY Center website.