CMS’ biggest graduations are next week. Here’s where traffic could stack up
Thousands of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools students will cross the stage in their caps and gowns this month, drawing large crowds – and heavy traffic – to several of Charlotte’s largest venues.
While some schools, including early and middle colleges, have already held their ceremonies, the majority of the district’s 34 high schools will hold ceremonies from June 10 to June 13.
The events will be held at Ovens Auditorium, Bojangles Coliseum, UNC Charlotte’s Halton Arena and Truliant Amphitheater, formerly known as PNC Pavilion. Attendees should anticipate significant traffic delays.
Here’s the 2026 graduation schedule and roads to avoid around the Charlotte area leading up to the ceremonies.
2026 CMS graduation schedule
Wednesday, June 10: Ovens Auditorium
- 8 a.m.: Charlotte Mecklenburg Virtual High/ Elbert Edwin Waddell/ PACE/ Charlotte-Mecklenburg Academy
- 11:30 a.m.: Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
- 3:00 p.m.: Cochrane Collegiate/ iMeck Academy
Thursday, June 11: Bojangles Coliseum
- 3:30 p.m.: South Mecklenburg High School
- 7 p.m.: Myers Park High School
Thursday, June 11: Ovens Auditorium
- 8 a.m.: Northwest School of the Arts
- 11:30 a.m.: JT Williams Secondary Montessori School
Friday, June 12: Bojangles Coliseum
- 8:30 a.m.: West Charlotte High School
- 12:00 p.m.: Ardrey Kell High School
- 3:30 p.m.: Mallard Creek High School
- 7:00 p.m.: Providence High School
Friday, June 12: Truliant Amphitheater
- 8:30 a.m.: Harding University High School
- 12:00 p.m.: William Amos Hough High School
- 3:30 p.m.: Garinger High School
- 7:00 p.m.: Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
Saturday, June 13: Bojangles Coliseum
- 8:30 a.m.: West Mecklenburg High School
- 12:00 p.m.: Olympic High School
- 3:30 a.m.: Ballantyne Ridge High School
- 7:00 p.m.: Palisades High School
Saturday, June 13: Truliant Amphitheater
- 8:30 a.m.: Julius L. Chambers High School
- 12:00 p.m.: David W. Butler High School
- 3:30 p.m.: Independence High School
- 7 p.m.: East Mecklenburg High School
Saturday, June 13: UNC Halton Arena
- 8:30 a.m.: Rocky River High School
- 12:00 p.m.: North Mecklenburg High School
- 3:30 p.m.: Hopewell High School
Links to livestream each of the ceremonies are available here.
Roads to avoid
Drivers should expect heavier-than-usual traffic on I-277, East Independence Boulevard and Monroe Road near Ovens Auditorium and Bojangles Coliseum from June 10-13.
Truliant Amphitheater, formerly known as PNC Pavillion, is located near the U.S. 29 and Interstate 485 interchange. Drivers should expect heavy traffic on June 11-13. In the past, concert-goers have complained of heavy traffic, including hourslong backups.
Traffic will also likely be heavier around UNC Charlotte on June 13, near North Tryon Street, University City Boulevard and West W.T. Harris Boulevard, according to the campus map.
Venue bag policies
Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium: Clear bags are permitted up to 12” x 6” x 12”, and non-clear bags are restricted to 4.5” x 6.5”.
Truliant Amphitheater: The venue allows clear bags no larger than 12” x 6” x 12” and unclear bags no larger than 6”x9”. This applies to all bags including totes, clutches, and fanny packs. All bags are subject to search upon entry.
UNC Charlotte Halton Arena: Only clear bags (Dimensions: 12” x 6” x 12”) are allowed into Halton Arena.
