Basketball powerhouse Gonzaga to join Pac-12 for 2026 season

The Pac-12 announced that Gonzaga will be joining the conference in all sports starting in July 2026, bringing a strong basketball tradition and media value. Talks intensified over the past few days, with Gonzaga being known for its consistent success in the NCAA tournament. Head coach Mark Few is highly respected, and the move will add to the Pac-12’s basketball strength. While Gonzaga will be the eighth member of the conference, it does not have football, so the Pac-12 still needs to add another member to meet conference requirements. The conference has had discussions with other schools but is primarily focused on adding a football-playing school next. Gonzaga’s departure is a significant loss for the West Coast Conference, where they have been a member since 1989.