The big day is here: Northeastern’s 2021 Commencement ceremonies at Boston’s famed Fenway Park. Here’s everything you need to know to hit it out of the park.

When should I arrive?

In order to maintain healthy distancing and stay below state density requirements, both undergraduate and graduate Commencement exercises will take place over two ceremonies. Students should refer to their email for information about the ceremony to which they’ve been assigned.

Undergraduate ceremonies will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8.

Graduate ceremonies, including those for graduates from the School of Law, will run from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 9.

A separate ceremony for the College of Professional Studies will take place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 8.

For every ceremony, doors to the park open 90 minutes before the start of the event.

What do I need to bring?

Everyone entering Fenway Park must fill out a health survey before they’re allowed in. Students and guests should download the MLB Ballpark app prior to the ceremony—the health survey can be found on the app, along with Commencement tickets and other important information about Fenway Park.

Bring a mask: Face coverings are required for everyone ages 2 and up. Gaiters, bandanas, and masks with exhalation valves are prohibited.

Don’t bring a bag: With the exception of diaper bags and medical items, bags are prohibited at the park.

Where should I enter?

Both undergraduate and graduate students have assigned seats either on the field or in designated sections in the stands along the first- and third-base lines. Guests also have assigned seating in the designated sections in the stands. Both have already been selected by students when they obtained their tickets. 

Students and guests should use the entrance designated on their tickets—the most convenient entrance has been assigned based on where each person is sitting.

In general, students and their guests can use the following entrances to Fenway Park: Gate E on Lansdowne Street; Gate B and Gate K on Van Ness Street; or Gate A, Gate D, and 20 Jersey St. on Jersey Street.

In addition to assigned seating in the turf outfield, designated seating for students and guests has been reserved in the following sections:

• Dugout Box 72-79
• Field Box 9-19
• Field Box 70-82
• Loge Box 98-106
• Loge Box 157-162
• Right Field Box 4-8
• Right Field Box 92-97
• Grandstand 26-31
• Grandstand 6-14

Turf sections, located in the outfield of the ballpark, are labeled A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2, and are only for graduating students.

Refer to your email or your ticket for the best entrance based on your assigned seat.

Where can I park?

Students and their guests can park at one of the parking garages near Fenway Park, or on Northeastern’s Boston campus and walk or take public transportation to Fenway.

Parking on the Northeastern University campus will be available for a fee. Use this link to select your preferred parking location: Columbus Garage, Gainsborough Garage, or Renaissance Park Garage.

For those who choose to walk, each garage is a 1 mile walk or less to Fenway Park. Students and their guests can also take the MBTA: Take the D branch of the Green Line to the Fenway stop, then it’s a short walk to the park.

Where else can I watch the ceremony?

Each graduating student is allowed to bring one guest to the live ceremony—a figure based on state and federal guidelines for mitigating the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

For those who can’t attend in person, there are several other ways to watch the university’s 2021 Commencement exercises.

Matthews Arena on Northeastern’s Boston campus will be showing a livestream of the Commencement exercises. Admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis to family members and friends who are unable to attend the Fenway Park ceremony in person. Doors will open one hour before each ceremony. Per state and university guidelines, masks will be required, and no concessions are allowed at the venue. Large bags are prohibited, and small bags must be checked.

All ceremonies will also be streamed live on the university’s Commencement page and the undergraduate ceremonies will be streamed on Northeastern Facebook page, as well. Full coverage of the entire weekend by News@Northeastern can also be found on its dedicated Commencement page, which will be updated throughout every ceremony both Saturday and Sunday.

For media inquiries, please contact media@northeastern.edu.