A New Era for the Pac‑12
The Pac‑12 Conference officially launched on Tuesday, unveiling seven new full‑time members — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State — while also welcoming a dozen affiliate members across five Olympic sports, including baseball, men’s soccer, women’s gymnastics, women’s swimming and wrestling.
The reshaping marks a decisive shift in the league’s composition, expanding its footprint across the western United States and signaling a renewed focus on competitive balance in football and men’s basketball.
As part of the rebranding, the conference announced that its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments will return to Las Vegas, with games staged at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 2026‑27 and 2027‑28 seasons. All nine teams will compete, beginning with a play‑in game that pits the two lowest seeds against each other.
Broadcast coverage will be split among USA Network, CBS and The CW, ensuring a national audience for every contest. In addition, a special edition football series titled “The Dawn” will debut on July 1, featuring weekly conversations with head coaches and Commissioner Teresa Gould.
The league also highlighted its standing as a Top 5 conference in both football and men’s basketball, citing multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and high‑ranking teams. Partnerships with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports will further amplify the exposure of these events.
The expansion includes affiliate members in baseball, men’s soccer, women’s gymnastics, women’s swimming and wrestling, broadening the conference’s Olympic sport portfolio and providing additional scholarship opportunities for student‑athletes.
The Road Ahead
With a refreshed roster, expanded media reach and a revamped tournament format, the Pac‑12 is poised to reassert its place among the nation’s premier collegiate conferences. Fans can expect heightened competition, new rivalries and a continued commitment to excellence on and off the field.