We are attending a family member's graduation this Friday. So very proud of him! But we are wondering about parking. The graduation ceremony, as long as it is outdoors, is at the stadium? Is that the only place to park? I saw that the parking there opens at 6:30am? How early is that expected to fill? Is there an exact street address for accessing the parking lot? Is there any other parking place nearby, or any others that would have shuttles?
Seeking Advice for Visitors for Graduation Day - Parking? Anything Else?
- Thread starter Bertie
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,470
Parking opens at 6:30 because, yes, you’ll see breakfast tailgating and adult beveraging. There will be long lines to get in for security reasons, especially since the President is the speaker. There will be gridlock after the game. It’s a long morning but a great day.
Entrances to the stadium parking lots are Taylor Ave and Farragut Ave on the other side. There should be room. It’s not like a sold-out home football game, and the max number of graduate guests/mid usually doesn’t max out.
There is no need to dress up to a serious degree for family members in the stands. Comfortable but nice casual clothes. Definitely hats, sunglasses, sunscreen. It can be hot and muggy or cool and rainy - watch the weather report. One of those packable plastic ponchos with the little hood is a good choice for a rain prediction.
Be prepared to follow stadium rules for what can be brought in, if they are following football season rules. They usually follow NFL stadium rules - very small wristlet or clear tote of a specific sizes, no backpacks, etc. Pockets are a good thing.
This year’s event guide:
Download the 2023 Commissioning Week Visitors Guide
2023 Commissioning Week is approaching! This Visitors Guide provides important information about the week, as well as gift ideas for graduating Midshipmen.
go.navyonline.com
More:
Commissioning Home
Commissioning Home page for Commissioning Week at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Mar 05 12:09:30 EST 2024.
www.usna.edu
This is last season’s stadium football gameday guide. Has a link to stadium map and regular season guidance on what can be brought in.
Last edited:
Old Navy BGO
10-Year Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2012
- Messages
- 4,600
The good news is that Navy-Marine Corps stadium has a listed capacity of 34,000. Graduating class is roughly a thousand, so even with 10 guests per graduate (10K attending), the parking lot should not be even close to full l and there is no need for shuttles. As for address, I'm sure there is a general address for the stadium, just get near and I'm sure there will be signs for parking!
(Funny, I don't recall ever parking at the stadium -- I've always walked from the Yard, or downtown Annapolis when attending for Reunions)
(Funny, I don't recall ever parking at the stadium -- I've always walked from the Yard, or downtown Annapolis when attending for Reunions)
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,835
Parking should not be a problem in terms of finding a space. ARRIVE EARLY. Cannot emphasize this enough.
There are very few roads to the stadium. Some are two lane, residential streets. The local police give priority to local residents trying to get OUT rather than to the mobs of people trying to get in. So traffic backs up all the way to Route 50. Note: If you are sitting on the BLUE SIDE, you may be better off coming in from Rte 450 (vs. taking Rowe Blvd).
Security will be tight. Lines will be long. They will start on time regardless of whether throngs are still in the parking lot.
It is better to get there early and sit in the stadium for a time than to be outside the stadium in line, listening to the music of the ceremony starting. There are plenty of restrooms inside the stadium, there is plenty of covered area (not the seating area but where you can go to get out of the sun / rain), and they may sell water at the stadium (not sure of this).
If you arrive at the stadium at 0800, I can almost guarantee that you will miss the graduate march-on.
There are very few roads to the stadium. Some are two lane, residential streets. The local police give priority to local residents trying to get OUT rather than to the mobs of people trying to get in. So traffic backs up all the way to Route 50. Note: If you are sitting on the BLUE SIDE, you may be better off coming in from Rte 450 (vs. taking Rowe Blvd).
Security will be tight. Lines will be long. They will start on time regardless of whether throngs are still in the parking lot.
It is better to get there early and sit in the stadium for a time than to be outside the stadium in line, listening to the music of the ceremony starting. There are plenty of restrooms inside the stadium, there is plenty of covered area (not the seating area but where you can go to get out of the sun / rain), and they may sell water at the stadium (not sure of this).
If you arrive at the stadium at 0800, I can almost guarantee that you will miss the graduate march-on.
I can recall one year when it was so HOT some people passed out and needed medical attention. The stadium have virtually no shaded areas so be sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly (sunscreen, lightweight clothing, hats/etc.). Be sure to review the list of what is/isn't allowed to be brought into the stadium to avoid surprises. I was amazed at how some people dressed like they had never been to a lengthy outdoor event in hot weather or somehow mistakenly thought it was going to be held indoors. It is a LOT different venue from being indoors in an air conditioned arena.
Thanks for your reply and for everyone else's information too.Parking opens at 6:30 because, yes, you’ll see breakfast tailgating and adult beveraging. There will be long lines to get in for security reasons, especially since the President is the speaker. There will be gridlock after the game. It’s a long morning but a great day.
Entrances to the stadium parking lots are Taylor Ave and Farragut Ave on the other side. There should be room. It’s not like a sold-out home football game, and the max number of graduate guests/mid usually doesn’t max out.
There is no need to dress up to a serious degree for family members in the stands. Comfortable but nice casual clothes. Definitely hats, sunglasses, sunscreen. It can be hot and muggy or cool and rainy - watch the weather report. One of those packable plastic ponchos with the little hood is a good choice for a rain prediction.
Be prepared to follow stadium rules for what can be brought in, if they are following football season rules. They usually follow NFL stadium rules - very small wristlet or clear tote of a specific sizes, no backpacks, etc. Pockets are a good thing.
This year’s event guide:
Download the 2023 Commissioning Week Visitors Guide
2023 Commissioning Week is approaching! This Visitors Guide provides important information about the week, as well as gift ideas for graduating Midshipmen.
More:
Commissioning Home
Commissioning Home page for Commissioning Week at USNA.edu. Updated Tue Mar 05 12:09:30 EST 2024.www.usna.edu
This is last season’s stadium football gameday guide. Has a link to stadium map and regular season guidance on what can be brought in.
I have a question. If the ceremony gets moved indoors due to weather, is there a schedule posted for what will be included in the livestream? And the time that the livestream will start?
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,835
They make the decision re indoors / outdoors pretty early in the morning (as in around 0600). The reason is that any late decision / change would create absolute traffic chaos. Your mid will definitely know where the ceremony will be held. 
I would expect the USNA.edu website would also have information and the live stream link / start time. I would expect it to start NLT 0900 (when the march on starts) but could be a bit earlier.
I would expect the USNA.edu website would also have information and the live stream link / start time. I would expect it to start NLT 0900 (when the march on starts) but could be a bit earlier.