Grand Canyon University may be interested in joining the Pac-12, but its lack of a football program could hurt its chances of switching conferences in the immediate future.
Gonzaga accepted its invitation to the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday morning, becoming the eighth school in the Pac-12 and sixth new addition in recent weeks.
The conference has had conversations with GCU and Saint Mary’s about following Gonzaga’s lead, two schools that appeared in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last season. But, according to ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura, the conference is shifting its focus to football now that Gonzaga formally announced it will join the conference.
However, according to sports columnist John Canzano, GCU’s interest in joining the Pac-12 is mutual.
RELATED STORIES
In May 2024, GCU accepted its invitation to the West Coast Conference and is set to join it beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. The Antelopes are currently in the Western Athletic Conference.
Gonzaga, much like GCU, does not have a football program, but its accomplished basketball program is an addition to the conference expansion.
Last year, Washington State, Boise State, San Diego State, Colorado State, Utah State and Gonzaga all reached the NCAA Tournament in men’s basketball and two seasons ago San Diego State reached the national championship game.
The Bulldogs have thrived in the WCC, reaching the NCAA Tournament every year it has been played since 1998, with two Final Four appearances and eight seasons of at least 30 victories.
The school has in the past talked to the Big East about conference affiliation, and the Big 12 had discussed adding Gonzaga to its strong men’s basketball lineup, as it did with UConn earlier this year.
The Zags have also become a perennial tournament team in women’s basketball.
“Following discussions with Pac-12 member presidents, I believe membership will represent an opportunity to participate in building a conference that imagines new, forward-thinking ways to support student-athletes in a rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape,” Gonzaga president Thayne McCulloh said.
Pac-12 rebuilds with Gonzaga, others after exodus
From last season, the Pac-12 lost a total of 10 teams to three conferences as it failed to come to a new media rights deal.
Washington, Oregon, UCLA and USC left for the bigger footprint and money in the Big Ten.
Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado soon followed, leaving for the Big 12’s stability as their old conference appeared destined to crumble.
And Cal and Stanford departed with few options left, joining the ACC.
The Pac-12 began to restock for a 2026 relaunch last month by nabbing the five schools from the Mountain West to join Washington State and Oregon State, the only two Pac-12 schools left after a dramatic round of realignment took effect this summer.
Gonzaga now joins Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State as part of the conference’s expansion. Oregon State and Washington State were the last active Pac-12 members left at the start of the 2024 season.
The Pac-12 must have eight members in all sports by 2026 to be recognized as a conference and have access to NCAA championships and the College Football Playoff.
Gonzaga, a former WCC member, does not count as the league’s eighth full-time member because the school lacks a football team.
“We are delighted to welcome Gonzaga into the Pac-12 as they embark with us on this incredible path ahead,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said in a release.
“President McCulloh and athletics director Chris Standiford not only bring strategic expertise and forward thinking to the conference, but they are two incredible leaders who care deeply about student success and fortifying student-athlete academic and athletic experiences. Today represents an exciting milestone for the Pac-12 as we welcome another outstanding institution with a rich history of success into our league.”
The Associated Press contributed to this story.