The Pac-12 Conference unveiled a series of updates for its 2026 football season, promising greater visibility for coaches and athletes, a revamped championship tiebreaker structure, and a broader slate of postseason bowl games.
Under the new 'Pac-12 Field Pass' initiative, head coaches and student‑athletes will receive enhanced in‑game access during broadcasts, a program developed by Pac‑12 Enterprises in partnership with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports.
The league finalized its 2026 Football Championship Game tiebreakers, introducing a home‑and‑home flex matchup scheduled for week 13 of the regular season to provide additional flexibility in determining the conference champion.
Postseason opportunities will expand as Oregon State and Washington State become eligible for the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl alongside the conference’s new members, giving more teams a chance to compete in a major bowl game.
A search is underway for a new head of officiating for the 2027 season, following the recent transition of Vice President of Officiating David Coleman, as the conference works to maintain high standards across its games.
The Pac‑12 Board of Directors and Athletics Directors Committee will see chairs and vice chairs appointed for the 2026‑27 term, with each committee role rotating on a one‑year basis to ensure fresh perspectives.
To accelerate strategic priorities, the league created a Senior Leadership Foundation that will soon hire a Chief Commercial & Growth Officer to drive revenue and partnership initiatives.
Pac‑12 Enterprises will produce the bulk of home games for national television partners, guaranteeing 100 % coverage of home contests across CBS, FOX, CBS Sports Network, ESPN and USA Network.
In a move toward greater transparency, the conference will begin reporting player availability for all conference and select non‑conference matchups in 2026, giving fans and media clearer insight into participation.