Gonzaga joins Pac-12, bringing powerhouse basketball but no football

The Gonzaga University Bulldogs will be joining the Pac-12 conference in 2026.

“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead," Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said in a statement Tuesday. “President McCulloh and Athletics Director Chris Standiford not only bring strategic expertise and forward thinking to the conference, but they are two incredible leaders who care deeply about student success and fortifying student-athlete academic and athletic experiences. Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”

RELATED: UW quits Pac-12 Conference alliance it co-founded in 1915

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will officially become part of the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026. Games will start in the 2026-27 academic year. Gonzaga does not have a football team. Its basketball teams will be joining the ranks of the Pac-12. For 25 years in a row, Gonzaga has made it to the NCAA's men's basketball tournament, while reaching the finals twice.

In addition to basketball, Gonzaga also has programs for baseball, cross country, golf, rowing, soccer, tennis, and track and field.

There have been major shakeups among college sports in the Pacific Northwest over the past year. In August 2023, the University of Washington announced its exit from the Pac-12, and entrance into the Big Ten conference. UW officially became part of the Big Ten in August 2024. The University of Oregon made the same move. Disagreements over broadcast rights partially led to the departures. Since then, the Pac-12 has endeavored to rebuild, adding Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, San Diego State University, and Utah State University. With the addition of Gonzaga, the Pac-12 still needs to get one more full-time member with a football team to meet the eight-team minimum required of the conference.

According to the Pac-12's announcement, with Gonzaga joining up, "the conference is poised to compete at the highest levels of women’s and men’s basketball." The conference noted that the university has a "286-44 (86.7 winning percentage) combined record in women’s and men’s basketball. Their women’s program has amassed a record of 138-23 (85.7 winning percentage) since the start of the 2019-20 season, and the men’s program is a national-best 148-21 (87.6 winning percentage)."

RELATED: What can the past tell us about the future of the PAC-12?

“Following discussions with Pac-12 member presidents, I believe membership will represent an opportunity to participate in building a conference that imagines new, forward-thinking ways to support student-athletes in a rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape,” Gonzaga University President Thayne McCulloh said.