Grand Canyon Accelerates Move to Mountain West

Grand Canyon University (GCU) will join the Mountain West Conference starting in the 2025-26 academic year, one year earlier than originally planned. This move follows the announced departures of San Diego State, Boise State, Fresno State, Utah State, and Colorado State to the Pac-12, prompting the Mountain West to quickly add new members. GCU, which does not sponsor football, brings strong men's and women's basketball programs and has recently won multiple conference championships and made several NCAA Tournament appearances. The early entry was approved after the departing schools lost voting rights, and while there have been some internal tensions, legal action appears unlikely. With GCU's addition, the Mountain West will have 12 basketball schools and is preparing for further restructuring. The conference aims to enhance its national competitiveness amid ongoing changes in college athletics.