Frequently Asked Questions
SOM Match Day
Date: Friday, March 20, 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CDT
Location: UTRGV Fieldhouse
Address: N 5th Ave, Edinburg, TX 78541
Edinburg, TX 78539
Click here for map of location.
SOM Match Day is an invite-only event. Check-in at will call at the event is required for entry.
Match Day is a time-honored tradition through which graduating medical students receive an envelope revealing their residency match, which will determine where they will continue their medical training after graduation.
The celebration will begin with a warm welcome from UTRGV School of Medicine leadership, followed by opening remarks. Then, a countdown will then begin for the SOM matching students to open their envelopes precisely at 11:00 AM CDT (12:00 PM ET and not a minute sooner), as required by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP). Students will then be invited to come to the stage to announce their match and pin their location on a large map of the United States (optional, not required). The event will conclude with closing remarks and a group photo of the matching students by the stage.
Envelopes must be opened on the third Friday of March – March 20, 2026, starting at precisely 11:00 a.m. Central Daylight Time (12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and not a minute sooner), as required by the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).
Guest seating in on a first come, first-serve basis.
Yes, there will be a photographer at Match Day. Photos will be shared on the UTRGV.edu/MatchDay website after the event.
Yes, people may join the event virtually at UTRGV.edu/MatchDay.
Yes. In order to support a safe and enjoyable environment, students and guests are encouraged to review and adhere to the list of prohibited items. Prohibited items will be confiscated. Patrons may be refused entry if in possession of the following:
- Weapons
- Firearms
- Food and Drinks
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Illegal Drugs
- Inflatables/Balloons
- Streamers
- Aerosol Cans/Noisemakers
- Strollers
Pets are not allowed inside the UTRGV Fieldhouse. The only exception is for service animals, which the ADA defines as dogs individually trained to perform specific tasks for a person with a disability. Examples of qualifying tasks include:
- Guiding individuals with visual impairments
- Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Assisting during seizures
- Pulling a wheelchair
- Reminding someone to take medication
- Calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack
Emotional support, comfort, therapy, and companion animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted inside the venue. Service animals are welcome in all public areas of the Fieldhouse and must remain leashed, harnessed, or under effective control unless such equipment interferes with the service animal's work. A person with a disability cannot be asked to remove his service animal from the premises unless: (1) the dog is out of control, and the handler does not take effective action to control it or (2) the dog is not housebroken.
For accessibility questions or accommodation needs, please contact events@utrgv.edu before the event.
Business casual.
Student Regalia Pick-Up at Match Day:
The Campus Store will offer regalia rental pick-up for SOM graduating students at Match Day.
All graduating students must wear full regalia to participate in SOM Commencement.
- The deadline to order regalia is Wednesday, February 18, 2026. For questions, contact Herff Jones directly at gradsw@herffjones.com
- SOM graduating students’ rental regalia will be ready for pick-up at the Edinburg Campus Store on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, thru Friday, May 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
- The Edinburg Campus Store will also have a table at Match Day to pick up regalia after the event until 12:00 p.m.
- Reminder, payment is required at pick-up. The cost is $84 plus tax. Campus Store will only be accepting cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay - no cash or checks will be accepted on Match Day.
- Anyone can pick up the regalia as long as they provide payment upon pick up.
- Please plan to return the rented regalia on site at the conclusion of the Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026, or no later than Monday, May 11, 2026, at the Edinburg Campus Store. Please note the store closes at 5:00 p.m.
- For questions about pick-up, payment or returns, contact UTRGV Campus Store in Edinburg at campusstore.utrgv@bibliu.com or (956) 665-2252.
If your parent will be hooding you at SOM Commencement, regalia is required for parents to participate in the event. Your parent must be a physician to hood you at SOM Commencement. If they do not have regalia from their alma mater, they can rent regalia from Herff Jones. The Herff Jones order deadline is Monday, March 23, 2026. We will provide more details about parent’s regalia with our SOM Commencement communications. Please contact somcommencement@utrgv.edu with any questions.
RSVP Process & Event Check-In
SOM Match Day is an invite-only event. Check-in at the event is required for entry. You will receive an electronic invitation with an RSVP link. We kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend by Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Yes, we kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend. RSVPing on time will help us plan the best possible experience for all our guests. It will also prevent you from receiving follow-up reminders to complete the RSVP form. RSVPs will be due by Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Yes, we kindly ask that you please let us know whether you are planning to attend or not attend. RSVPing on time will help us plan the best possible experience for all our guests. It will also prevent you from receiving follow-up reminders to complete the RSVP form. RSVPs will be due by Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
SOM MATCHING STUDENTS:
Every matching student will be allowed to invite 15 guests. We have carefully planned arrangements to accommodate our students and their guests to provide the best experience.
Please be aware that physical tickets will not be issued for SOM Match Day 2026. Instead, check-in tables will be set up at the event, where attendees must check in to gain entry. Check-in at event is mandatory for event access.
Please make sure that you direct guests to the UTRGV School of Medicine Match Day website for all info related to the event.
SOM FACULTY & COMMUNITY FACULTY:
SOM faculty and community faculty should plan to not bring guests.
Additional Questions?
Contact the following:
SOM Matching Students
Office of Student Affairs
Email: MDStudentAffairs@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1596
Faculty & Community Faculty
SOM Faculty Affairs
Email: SOMFacultyAffairs@utrgv.edu
Phone: (956) 296-1438
Social Media
Show your support on social media! Connect with the UTRGV School of Medicine, students, friends, and family with #UTRGVMatch2026.
Facebook: @UTRGVSOM
Instagram: @UTRGVSOM
LinkedIn: UTRGV School of Medicine