The new Pac-12 Conference officially launches with the addition of seven full-time members
7/1/2026 7:31:00 AM | Gonzaga Athletics, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State officially join Oregon State and Washington State to chart the next era of the league’s 110-year-old legacy
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University are proud to announce their partnership, celebrating the addition of the eighth university during this transformative era for the century-old conference. This partnership marks an exciting chapter in expansion history for the conference as it strategically builds a formidable basketball powerhouse.
Today, seven new full-time member institutions officially join the Pac-12 Conference, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. With the additions, the new Pac-12 features nine full-time members and is set to compete in its first season with the 2026-27 campaign.
The league also officially welcomed 12 new affiliate members today across five Olympic sports, including baseball (Dallas Baptist), men's soccer (Cal Baptist, Cal Poly, UC Riverside, UC San Diego), women's gymnastics (Southern Utah), women's swimming (Cal Baptist) and wrestling (Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, South Dakota State).
In addition to official member admissions and the launch of the new Pac-12, and amid celebrations across new member communities, the league also made a series of other announcements related to its basketball tournaments, its official sports sponsorship and championships and a special edition content series in promotion of its first football season.
PAC-12 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS RETURN TO LAS VEGAS
In partnership with MGM Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the Pac-12 announced today details for its men's and women's basketball tournaments, returning to Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
Set to tip off on Tuesday, March 9, 2027, both men's and women's postseason events will take place on the same days as part of two eight-game tournaments held over five days.
All nine teams for both sports will participate in the tournaments, beginning with a play-in game on the first day between the lowest two seeds, as set by regular season performance and any necessary tiebreakers. The tournaments will continue on day two with the first round featuring two games for both the men's and women's tournaments, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship rounds. Formats for both tournaments will see the two highest seeds receive a double-bye into the semifinal round and the third- and fourth-highest seeds a bye into the quarterfinal round.
For each day and round, the women's tournament games will take place ahead of the men's, all at MGM Grand.
Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament Format Overview
"Bringing the next era of the Pac-12 and our basketball tournaments back to Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Garden Arena is a testament to the strength of our teams and brands," said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. "With combined dates and new formats for both our men's and women's events, our rich basketball legacy meets transformation with exciting new energy. We look forward to creating all-new memories for our student-athletes and fans by continuing to work with great partners in MGM Resorts and the LVCVA."
National TV Coverage for Pac-12 Basketball Tournaments
As previously announced, the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament will see its first seven games and four rounds broadcast nationally on USA Network in partnership with USA Sports, ahead of the title game also being featured nationally via free-to-air broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament will also be featured on national television with free-to-air broadcast coverage on The CW for its semifinal round and title game, with broadcast information and details of the first five games and three rounds to be announced at a later date.
Pac-12 Basketball Tournament History in Las Vegas
The Pac-12 previously held its men's and women's basketball tournaments in Las Vegas in partnership with MGM Resorts and LVCVA. The men's tournament previously took place in Las Vegas for 12 seasons from 2013-24, including at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for four seasons from 2013-16. The women's tournament was held in Las Vegas for six seasons from 2019-24, including at the MGM Grand Garden Arena twice in 2019 and 2024.
MGM Resorts' Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Arena & Venue Operations Dan Quinn added: "We are proud to welcome the return of the Pac-12 Conference to the MGM Grand Garden Arena and the opportunity to continue our longstanding partnership. Bringing together both the men's and women's Conference basketball championships under one roof creates an exciting experience for the student-athletes and fans. We look forward to providing a world-class stage for the next chapter of Pac-12 basketball in Las Vegas."
NEW PAC-12 SPORTS SPONSORSHIP & CHAMPIONSHIPS
The new era of the Pac-12 will see sponsorship of 10 women's sports and nine men's sports, providing championship competition across the fall, winter and spring seasons in 18 of those 19 sports, including the first-ever championship events for men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball in the league's 110-year history.
Below is the comprehensive list of Pac-12 sports beginning in the 2026-27 athletic season, along with the championship dates and locations for the 26-27 campaign.
2026-27 Pac-12 Men's Sports & Championships
2026-27 Pac-12 Women's Sports & Championships
NEW PAC-12: A TIER OF ITS OWN
Over the last five seasons since 2021—the beginning of the NIL/Transfer Portal era—and considering conference compositions beginning with the 2026 season, the new Pac-12 has stacked up competitively as a Top 5 league in a tier of its own across a number of notable data points in both football and men's basketball, as well as other sports, including:
Pac-12 Men's Basketball: Last Five Seasons
In addition, and over the last six seasons dating back to the 2020-21 campaign, the new Pac-12 has seen multiple teams reach the National Championship game (2021 Gonzaga, 2023 San Diego State), as one of only three conferences with multiple men's programs appearing in the title match since 2021 (also Big Ten & Big 12).
NEW PAC-12 MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS
The new Pac-12 launches with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports as its media partners for all league-controlled football broadcasts as well as the vast majority of its regular season men's basketball home games and 20-25 women's basketball home regular season games.
Across the three partnerships, the Pac-12 will see 100% of its football slate featured across national linear television, including national over-the-air broadcasts and wide-reach cable television, culminating with the Pac-12 championship game on CBS and Paramount+.
The Pac-12 and its broadcast partners also feature a fan-friendly slate of scheduled kickoff times for the full season, as announced in May 2026.
New Pac-12's Broadcast Highlights
Today, seven new full-time member institutions officially join the Pac-12 Conference, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, San Diego State, Texas State and Utah State. With the additions, the new Pac-12 features nine full-time members and is set to compete in its first season with the 2026-27 campaign.
The league also officially welcomed 12 new affiliate members today across five Olympic sports, including baseball (Dallas Baptist), men's soccer (Cal Baptist, Cal Poly, UC Riverside, UC San Diego), women's gymnastics (Southern Utah), women's swimming (Cal Baptist) and wrestling (Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, South Dakota State).
In addition to official member admissions and the launch of the new Pac-12, and amid celebrations across new member communities, the league also made a series of other announcements related to its basketball tournaments, its official sports sponsorship and championships and a special edition content series in promotion of its first football season.
PAC-12 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS RETURN TO LAS VEGAS
In partnership with MGM Resorts and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the Pac-12 announced today details for its men's and women's basketball tournaments, returning to Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Garden Arena for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
Set to tip off on Tuesday, March 9, 2027, both men's and women's postseason events will take place on the same days as part of two eight-game tournaments held over five days.
All nine teams for both sports will participate in the tournaments, beginning with a play-in game on the first day between the lowest two seeds, as set by regular season performance and any necessary tiebreakers. The tournaments will continue on day two with the first round featuring two games for both the men's and women's tournaments, followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship rounds. Formats for both tournaments will see the two highest seeds receive a double-bye into the semifinal round and the third- and fourth-highest seeds a bye into the quarterfinal round.
For each day and round, the women's tournament games will take place ahead of the men's, all at MGM Grand.
Men's & Women's Basketball Tournament Format Overview
- All nine teams participate in both sports.
- 2027 tournaments take place March 9-13 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, with the women's tournament games taking place ahead of the men's each day.
- Both tournaments begin with a play-in game on day one between seeds No. 8 and No. 9, with all seeds determined by the regular season.
- No. 1 and No. 2 seeds receive a double-bye into the semifinals on Friday, March 12, while the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds receive a single-bye into the quarterfinals on Thursday, March 11.
- Both championship games will take place on Saturday, March 13.
"Bringing the next era of the Pac-12 and our basketball tournaments back to Las Vegas and the MGM Grand Garden Arena is a testament to the strength of our teams and brands," said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. "With combined dates and new formats for both our men's and women's events, our rich basketball legacy meets transformation with exciting new energy. We look forward to creating all-new memories for our student-athletes and fans by continuing to work with great partners in MGM Resorts and the LVCVA."
National TV Coverage for Pac-12 Basketball Tournaments
As previously announced, the Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament will see its first seven games and four rounds broadcast nationally on USA Network in partnership with USA Sports, ahead of the title game also being featured nationally via free-to-air broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. The Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament will also be featured on national television with free-to-air broadcast coverage on The CW for its semifinal round and title game, with broadcast information and details of the first five games and three rounds to be announced at a later date.
Pac-12 Basketball Tournament History in Las Vegas
The Pac-12 previously held its men's and women's basketball tournaments in Las Vegas in partnership with MGM Resorts and LVCVA. The men's tournament previously took place in Las Vegas for 12 seasons from 2013-24, including at the MGM Grand Garden Arena for four seasons from 2013-16. The women's tournament was held in Las Vegas for six seasons from 2019-24, including at the MGM Grand Garden Arena twice in 2019 and 2024.
MGM Resorts' Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Arena & Venue Operations Dan Quinn added: "We are proud to welcome the return of the Pac-12 Conference to the MGM Grand Garden Arena and the opportunity to continue our longstanding partnership. Bringing together both the men's and women's Conference basketball championships under one roof creates an exciting experience for the student-athletes and fans. We look forward to providing a world-class stage for the next chapter of Pac-12 basketball in Las Vegas."
NEW PAC-12 SPORTS SPONSORSHIP & CHAMPIONSHIPS
The new era of the Pac-12 will see sponsorship of 10 women's sports and nine men's sports, providing championship competition across the fall, winter and spring seasons in 18 of those 19 sports, including the first-ever championship events for men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball in the league's 110-year history.
Below is the comprehensive list of Pac-12 sports beginning in the 2026-27 athletic season, along with the championship dates and locations for the 26-27 campaign.
2026-27 Pac-12 Men's Sports & Championships
| Sport | Championship | Location | No. Teams (Championship) |
| Football | Fri., Dec. 4 | High-Seed Hosts | 2 |
| Baseball | May 27-30 | Oregon State | 7 |
| Basketball | March 9-13 | MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas, NV) | 9 |
| Cross Country | Fri., Oct. 30 | Boise State | 7 |
| Golf | April 30 - May 2 | Washington State | 9 |
| Soccer | Nov. 7 - 13/14 | High-Seed Hosts | 4 |
| Tennis | – | – | – |
| Outdoor Track & Field | May 13-15 | Fresno State | 7 |
| Wrestling | March 4-5 or 5-6 | Little Rock | 9 |
2026-27 Pac-12 Women's Sports & Championships
| Sport | Championship | Location | No. Teams (Championship) |
| Basketball | March 9-13 | MGM Grand Garden Arena (Las Vegas, NV) | 9 |
| Cross Country | Fri., Oct. 30 | Boise State | 9 |
| Golf | April 25-27 | San Diego State | 8 |
| Gymnastics | March 20 | Oregon State | 4 |
| Soccer | Nov. 11-15 (week of) | Best 2026 non-con RPI | 4 |
| Softball | May 12-15 | Texas State | 6 |
| Swimming & Diving | Feb. 24-27 | Houston, TX | 5 |
| Tennis | April 23-25 | Colorado State | 8 |
| Outdoor Track & Field | May 13-15 | Fresno State | 9 |
| Volleyball | Week of Nov. 23 | Best first-half win % | 4 |
NEW PAC-12: A TIER OF ITS OWN
Over the last five seasons since 2021—the beginning of the NIL/Transfer Portal era—and considering conference compositions beginning with the 2026 season, the new Pac-12 has stacked up competitively as a Top 5 league in a tier of its own across a number of notable data points in both football and men's basketball, as well as other sports, including:
Pac-12 Men's Basketball: Last Five Seasons
- Top 6 average in NET ranking (91.1), just behind the ACC (89.9) for 5th and well ahead of the next closest (Atlantic 10, 135.4). Closer to 1st (Big 12, 48.2) than 7th.
- Six of the Pac-12's nine men's basketball programs have a Top 100 average NET ranking in that span, the 5th-highest percentage (66.7%) of all conferences.
- Top 6 average in KenPom ranking (89.8), just behind the ACC (86.0) for 5th and well ahead of the next closest (Atlantic 10, 135.2). Closer to 1st (Big 12, 47.1) than 7th.
In addition, and over the last six seasons dating back to the 2020-21 campaign, the new Pac-12 has seen multiple teams reach the National Championship game (2021 Gonzaga, 2023 San Diego State), as one of only three conferences with multiple men's programs appearing in the title match since 2021 (also Big Ten & Big 12).
NEW PAC-12 MEDIA PARTNERSHIPS
The new Pac-12 launches with CBS Sports, USA Sports and CW Sports as its media partners for all league-controlled football broadcasts as well as the vast majority of its regular season men's basketball home games and 20-25 women's basketball home regular season games.
Across the three partnerships, the Pac-12 will see 100% of its football slate featured across national linear television, including national over-the-air broadcasts and wide-reach cable television, culminating with the Pac-12 championship game on CBS and Paramount+.
The Pac-12 and its broadcast partners also feature a fan-friendly slate of scheduled kickoff times for the full season, as announced in May 2026.
New Pac-12's Broadcast Highlights
- Football's maximum reach & national exposure - The new Pac-12 will see the entirety of its football slate, its home game broadcasts, available either to 100% of U.S. television households via national over-the-air broadcast networks (CBS & The CW) or via cable, satellite or over-the-top streaming on national cable networks (CBS Sports Network & USA Network).
- Men's Basketball - Similarly for men's basketball the league will see the overwhelming majority (over 70 percent) of its regular season home games broadcast across the same networks (CBS, The CW, CBS Sports Network and USA Network). In addition, the league's men's basketball tournament will be featured on USA Network leading up to the championship game on CBS.
- Women's Basketball - The new Pac-12 will see women's basketball featured across The CW (15 regular season games) and USA Network (5-10 regular season games) as well as its semifinals and championship game of the league's tournament on The CW.
- Pac-12 Enterprises production - The league's best-in-class broadcast production company, Pac-12 Enterprises, will produce 150+ broadcasts for the new Pac-12's media partners across football, men's basketball and women's basketball as part of its long-term partnerships.
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