A New Era for the Pac‑12
The Pac‑12 Conference announced a sweeping expansion that will reshape its competitive landscape. Seven institutions — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State — have been admitted as full‑time members, raising the total membership to nine. This influx is expected to bolster the league’s national profile and deepen its talent pool across both football and men’s basketball.
The expanded league will begin its first full season in the 2026‑27 academic year, a timeline that aligns with the arrival of 12 affiliate members spread across five Olympic sports. These partners will compete in baseball, men’s soccer, women’s gymnastics, women’s swimming and wrestling, adding depth to the conference’s championship offerings.
A centerpiece of the new arrangement is the return of the Pac‑12 basketball tournaments to Las Vegas. The 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 tournaments will be staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with a play‑in game opening the event and all nine teams in each gender’s bracket participating. The men’s championship will be televised nationally on USA Network, while the title game will also air on CBS and stream on Paramount+. The women’s semifinals and final will enjoy free‑to‑air broadcast on The CW.
Media rights have been secured through a multi‑year partnership with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports. These agreements cover all league‑controlled football broadcasts and the majority of regular‑season men’s and women’s basketball games. The deals underscore the conference’s ambition to deliver high‑profile content to a broad audience across traditional and streaming platforms.
Beyond the marquee sports, the Pac‑12 has announced sponsorship arrangements for ten women’s and nine men’s sports, ensuring championship competition throughout the fall, winter and spring seasons. This structure not only expands visibility for lesser‑known programs but also reinforces the conference’s positioning as a top‑tier league on the national stage.