The Mountain West announced Tuesday that it is adding UC Davis as a non-football member, effective July 1, 2026.
UC Davis will continue to keep its football program in the Big Sky at the FCS level. The school’s other sports, including men’s and women’s basketball, will be part of the Mountain West.
The addition gives the Mountain West eight football members and 10 overall. The conference is adding members to replace five that are leaving for the Pac-12 in 2026 — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State.
“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,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. “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.”
UC Davis is located about 15 miles west of Sacramento, the capital of California.
UC Davis is in its 18th basketball season in the Big West and felt ready to make an upward move.
“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.”
UC Davis joins Grand Canyon as a non-football member in the Mountain West.
The eight football programs that will make up the future Mountain West include Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV and Wyoming. UTEP of Conference USA will also join the league in 2026.
