UC Davis is joining the Mountain West as a non-football member in 2026.
The big picture: UC Davis will officially leave the Big West Conference for the Mountain West on July 1, 2026.
- The university’s football team is slated to remain in the Big Sky Conference.
- The addition of UC Davis to the Mountain West brings the conference to 10 members, with several universities – including Fresno State – departing.
Zoom out: Come 2026, the Mountain West will include Air Force, UC Davis, Grand Canyon University, Hawai’i, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
- UC Davis is bringing 16 sports to the conference, including men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball.
- In a press release, the Mountain West said UC Davis has committed to continuing to invest in its men’s basketball program. The Aggies have had four-straight seasons with a winning record.
What they’re saying: “Adding UC Davis further strengthens the trajectory of the Mountain West as it continues to build its brand that has proven to elevate institutions and student-athletes,” said Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “Chancellor Gary S. May and Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca have shared their strategic plan and financial vision for enhancing student-athlete development, welfare, and competitive excellence, and I believe UC Davis brings a wealth of positives in the continuing growth of the Mountain West.”
- May said the university is thrilled to join the Mountain West.
- “Our transition to the highly regarded Conference will introduce our Aggie community to a broader audience in major metropolitan areas and through increased media coverage,” May said in a statement. “It also provides us with an opportunity to align with universities that share similar academic strengths – such as agriculture, engineering, and sciences – while also expanding our competitive presence in the Western United States.”
