The Gonzaga Bulldogs will officially become members of the Pac‑12 Conference on July 1, 2026, marking the culmination of a multi‑year realignment effort that has reshaped the western collegiate sports landscape.
That accession is more than a symbolic gesture; it secures guaranteed competition against perennial powerhouses in men’s and women’s basketball, as well as baseball, while unlocking a share of a lucrative media‑rights package that includes CBS, The CW, USA Network and a direct‑to‑consumer streaming option.
Financial analysts project that Gonzaga’s annual payout from the conference will exceed $8 million, a figure that will fund facility upgrades, scholarship expansions and broader athletic scholarships.
Regional Rivalries Rekindled
The addition also restores regional rivalries that have long defined the Pacific Northwest and the Mountain West, with Boise State’s head coach Leon Rice — a former Gonzaga assistant — adding a narrative thread that fans will follow closely.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga’s women’s basketball program will test its mettle against Oregon State’s storied legacy, and the baseball team will enter a conference where the Oregon State Beavers have historically dominated.
Mark Few, who has guided the Bulldogs to multiple Final Four appearances, will now navigate the next chapter of his tenure amid heightened expectations and a broader national spotlight.