Gonzaga joins Pac-12 as UNLV decides to stay in Mountain West

The Pac-12 has acquired another major member in its revival bid. On Tuesday, Gonzaga University announced that it had accepted an invitation to join the conference.

In a joint statement, the conference said Gonzaga — joining five Mountain West programs being added in 2026 — “collectively cement the conference’s geographic foundation while elevating its national presence and strengthening its basketball and football prestige.”

Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State will all depart the Mountain West conference over the next two years — part of an NCAA grace period granted to the now-two-member Pac-12. After 10 original members left for other power conferences this year, Washington State and Oregon State remained.