East Long Beach braces for 100,000 Visitors for CSULB Graduations

 NEWS UPDATE

LB4D News Local

East Long Beach braces for 100,000 Visitors for CSULB Graduations 

Sunday May 10, 2026  3:20 pm

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)  is preparing to host more than 100,000 visitors onto campus over five days as the university returns its commencement ceremonies to campus. The event will create major impacts for parking, traffic and neighborhood activity surrounding the East Long Beach campus.

According to the university’s commencement website, CSULB expects between 10,000 and 12,000 graduates, guests and volunteers to attend each individual ceremony at the campus’ George Allen Field between May 17 and May 21. University officials estimate the total attendance across all ceremonies will exceed 100,000 people throughout the week. 

Because of the anticipated crowds, the university is encouraging attendees to use carpooling, rideshare services and public transportation whenever possible. 

To add to the anticipated traffic congestion is the construction on Studebaker, a major campus exit point from the 405/22/605 interchange. In addition, the loss of one north bound lane on Bellflower after that street's upgrades will impact attendees returning to the 405 after visiting the campus.

The university has announced that parking in general campus lots will be free during commencement events, though employee-designated lots will remain restricted. Officials are also advising visitors to arrive early due to expected congestion around campus entrances and nearby streets.

CSULB parking and cermony map 

The return of commencement ceremonies to campus represents a significant traditional shift from the CSULB graduations at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. The university’s official commencement page states that the Spring 2026 ceremonies will once again include graduates walking across the stage while their names are read aloud, restoring a traditional commencement experience that many students had requested.

The decision to move ceremonies back to Long Beach came after prolonged student complaints that the stadium ceremonies felt impersonal and lacked traditional graduation elements.

Criticism of the pandemnic holdover Angel Stadium ceremonies had intensified as early as 2023. At that time, then-CSULB President Jane Close Conoley defended the stadium format by citing staffing shortages, financial costs, accessibility concerns and post-pandemic logistical issues. Students and alumni, however, continued organizing petitions and protests calling for a return to traditional on-campus commencements.

In September 2025, the Long Beach Current reported that CSULB would abandon the off-campus model and return commencement ceremonies to George Allen Field.

That change that will now bring thousands of additional visitors and vehicles into surrounding Long Beach neighborhoods during graduation week.

For a complete list of commencement ceremony days and times CLICK ON:  CSULB 2026 SCHEDULE