Akins Ford Arena is located at 300 N Thomas Street in Athens, GA. It is part of The Classic Center campus.

There is parking throughout downtown Athens. Most spots will require payment. Please see the parking information above to help.

For BASA families and guests, we ask that you please leave your parking space as soon as you can after the ceremony to allow for the next ceremony’s families to have a place to park. Thank you.

All guests will enter through Gate 1 at the Main Concourse level.

For BASA, the doors will open to BASA guests at 1 p.m.

Due to preparations for the next ceremony, no guests will be allowed to remain in the arena after the BASA graduation.

For AHS, the doors will open to AHS guests at 5 p.m.

BASA Graduates should arrive at Noon.

AHS Graduates should arrive at 4:30 p.m.

Graduate Drop-Off Details Gate 2 (Foundry Street)

Before parking, families may drop off graduates at the Gate 2 entrance, located on Foundry Street, just past the Classic Center. 

How to Access: 

- From North Thomas Street, continue past the Classic Center Parking Deck. 

- Turn right onto Foundry Street. 

- Look for signage directing you to the designated Gate 2 Drop-Off Zone near the loading dock area. 

Please do not attempt to drop off students on Broad Street or Thomas Street. Those areas are not designated for drop-off. 

The Akins Ford Arena offers seating for 4,700 for our ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-seated.

For AHS, we strongly encourage no more than 10 guests per graduate. Please use every seat available.

Both graduations will be live-streamed through the schools’ YouTube channels. 

• BASA YouTube
• AHS YouTube

No, tickets will not be given out ahead of time. Seating is first-come. We ask all guests to use every seat available. Thank you.

Yes, all guests will need to enter Akins Ford Arena through weapons detectors. Thank you for your cooperation.

All Akins Ford Arena events require fans to use clear bags. Clear bags can not be larger than 12" x 6" x 12". Non-clear wallets must be smaller than 5" x 8" x 2".

Medical bags and diaper bags are allowed through with proper inspection.

Due to two of our high school ceremonies happening on the same day, photos on the floor with graduates or within the Akins Ford Arena with graduates will not be permitted. There is space outside the arena and also inside the Classic Center where you will be able to take photos.

All graduates and guests will exit to the Foundry Street area after the ceremony.

Concessions, including water, soda, juice, chips, candy, chicken tenders, and soft pretzels, will be available for purchase.

All purchases at Akins Ford Arena must be made with a credit or debit card. Cash is not accepted inside the venue.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted.

For security reasons, outside food and drink are not permitted.

Concessions will be available for purchase. Akins Ford Arena is a cashless facility.

Noisemakers, balloons, liquid string, signs, or anything that may draw attention away from the graduates are not allowed in the arena. Anyone attempting to bring these items will be asked to return them to their vehicle or throw them away before entering. Thank you.

Akins Ford Arena offers indoor, air-conditioned space and in-house services such as security and audio/visual displays so that all families will be able to see their graduate on the big screen.

Neighboring school districts held their ceremonies there and were pleased with their experiences. The Akins Ford Arena staff are excited to welcome us and host these wonderful events!