The Mountain West Conference has announced the addition of Grand Canyon University as the ninth member beginning July 1, 2026.
“Grand Canyon is a tremendous addition to the Mountain West. We are excited to expand our footprint into the City of Phoenix and the State of Arizona,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “Grand Canyon has been on an upward trajectory both academically and athletically for the past decade, and its addition to the league will enhance the competition across the Mountain West as we strive to earn NCAA postseason bids and compete for national championships.”
Starting no later than the 2026-2027 academic year, the Mountain West will feature the United States Air Force Academy, Grand Canyon University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Texas, El Paso and the University of Wyoming. Grand Canyon’s addition to the Mountain West expands the Conference footprint into the state of Arizona for the first time.
Grand Canyon will compete in 17 conference-sponsored sports in the Mountain West. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swim and dive, tennis, and volleyball. Men’s sports include basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, and tennis.
(Mountain West contributed to this report.)
