What is the Pac-12 Conference?
The Pac-12 Conference — historically the "Conference of Champions," with more NCAA team titles than any other league — relaunched on 1 July 2026 as a rebuilt nine-member conference after the 2024 realignment stripped its former membership.[1] [2]
Members and sports
Oregon State and Washington State anchor the new league, joined in 2026 by Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, Texas State and (in all sports but football) Gonzaga — eight football members plus Gonzaga's marquee basketball program.[1] [3]
Since when does it exist?
The conference traces to the Pacific Coast Conference of 1915; its century of champions — from UCLA's dynasties to Stanford's Olympic pipelines — belongs to the legacy league whose name and history the rebuilt conference carries forward.[2]
Why does the Pac-12 Conference matter?
The Pac-12 name still signifies the deepest championship tradition in college sports, and the rebuilt league enters 2026 with FBS football status, a national media arrangement and Gonzaga basketball — a new chapter of a historically distinguished organization.[1] [3]
References
- Pac-12 — the new conference officially launches with seven additions. Accessed August 2026.
- Pac-12 — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- SI — What teams are in the new Pac-12 in 2026-27. Accessed August 2026.