Basketball powerhouse Gonzaga to join Pac-12 for 2026 season

Gonzaga Basketball to Join Pac-12 Conference Starting in 2026 Season

**Pac-12 Adds Gonzaga as Member for All Sports Starting July 2026**

The Pac-12 announced on Tuesday that Gonzaga will be joining the conference in all sports it competes in beginning July 2026. Known for its dominant basketball program, Gonzaga brings a storied tradition and significant media value to the revamped conference. The Zags have reached the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16 for nine consecutive seasons and have made every tournament since 1999, an impressive 25-year streak.

Discussions between Gonzaga and the Pac-12 intensified over the past few days, as the conference sought to bolster its basketball presence. With the addition, Gonzaga becomes the eighth member of the restructured Pac-12 but does not count as a full-time member since the school does not have a football program. To meet NCAA conference requirements, the Pac-12 will still need to add a football-playing member.

Gonzaga will join a lineup that includes San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State, Boise State, Washington State, and Oregon State, forming a strong regional basketball league. The addition further solidifies the Pac-12’s position as a premier basketball conference in the West.

Head coach Mark Few, who has led Gonzaga since 2000, brings a legacy of success that includes multiple Sweet 16 appearances and two Final Fours, enhancing the Pac-12’s overall competitiveness. The move marks a significant departure for Gonzaga, which has been a member of the West Coast Conference (WCC) since the 1989-90 season, and poses a major setback for the WCC.

The Pac-12 is now focused on adding another full member with a football program and has reportedly held preliminary talks with Grand Canyon University and Saint Mary’s, both of which competed in last year’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament. However, securing a football school remains a priority before the conference shifts its focus back to basketball additions. 

The addition of Gonzaga is a transformative step for the Pac-12 as it looks to reestablish its prominence and attract strong media partnerships.