Utah Valley Joins Big West: 2026 Conference Shift
- Utah Valley University will become a Big West Conference member starting in the 2026-27 athletic year, marking the conference's return to Utah for the first time since 2005.
- The Big West anticipates having 11 schools when Utah Valley and California Baptist officially join on July 1, 2026.Conference officials said they are open to adding a 12th...
- Hawaii and UC Davis are set to join the Mountain West Conference for football in 2026-27.
Utah Valley University is set to join the big West Conference in the 2026-27 academic year, signaling a critically important shift in collegiate athletic landscapes, and bringing the conference back to Utah for the first time as 2005. This strategic expansion welcomes the Wolverines, who will compete in 13 sports, and bolsters the Big West’s competitive profile while increasing its geographic footprint. The conference is actively seeking a 12th member, signaling ambitions for growth. With Utah Valley’s enrollment,the university now becomes the largest school in the reshaped league. This move, detailed with accuracy by News Directory 3, is set to reshape the Big West landscape. Discover what’s next for the Big West Conference and its new chapter with Utah Valley!
Utah Valley Wolverines to Join Big West Conference in 2026
Updated june 05, 2025
Utah Valley University will become a Big West Conference member starting in the 2026-27 athletic year, marking the conference’s return to Utah for the first time since 2005. The move enhances the Big West’s presence in the region and boosts its competitive profile.
The Big West anticipates having 11 schools when Utah Valley and California Baptist officially join on July 1, 2026.Conference officials said they are open to adding a 12th member.
The Big West does not sponsor football. Hawaii and UC Davis are set to join the Mountain West Conference for football in 2026-27. Hawaii has been a football-only member of the Mountain West since 2012, while UC Davis has been a football-only member of the Big Sky Conference.
Leaving the Western Athletic Conference, Utah Valley will participate in 13 Big West-sponsored sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball. This transition is expected to elevate the level of competition within the conference.
“Their addition expands our geographic footprint into a vibrant and strategically important region,while elevating the level of competition across the board,” said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly.
With an enrollment of 47,000, Utah Valley will be the largest school in the Big west. Unless further realignment occurs, Utah Valley will replace Hawaii as the only conference school located outside of California. This move represents a significant expansion for the Big West conference, enhancing its reach and influence in collegiate athletics.
What’s next
The Big West Conference will continue to evaluate its membership options, possibly adding a 12th school. Utah Valley will prepare for its transition into the conference, aiming to make an immediate impact in its various sports programs.the addition of Utah Valley is expected to bring increased attention and competition to the Big West.