CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The University of Virginia has made some logistical changes to graduation weekend this year.

Over 8,000 students and their guests will be participating in the weekend.

Most notably is that tickets are now all electronic. Graduating students will receive their free tickets by May 9.

The tickets are the same ones used at sporting events. Students can transfer tickets to guests, but selling them would be an honor violation.

“The new electronic ticketing system will allow the university to distribute the tickets sooner and for the students and their families to have a smoother day of celebration when the big day comes,” said Bethanie Glover with UVA.

Friday's valedictorian event will start later and the days programs graduate are being switched around.

UVA is encouraging students to get their tickets sorted out as soon as possible to avoid confusion the day of.