Grand Canyon joining Mountain West Conference

Grand Canyon University officially accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference on Friday.

The Phoenix-based Antelopes will become members no later than July 1, 2026, the school said.

"We want to best position ourselves to be nationally competitive, and we are excited about the vision and future of the Mountain West," athletic director Jamie Boggs said in a statement. "We are joining a conference that has enjoyed national success, has developed a rich tradition in its 26 years and has financially positioned us for competitive success in this changing collegiate landscape. We are eager to compete for championships with our future peers in the Mountain West."

Including men's basketball, Grand Canyon will compete in 17 sports in the Mountain West. Grand Canyon does not have a football program.

The Antelopes have been to the men's NCAA Tournament in three of the past four seasons and finished 30-5 in 2023-24 under head coach Bryce Drew. Grand Canyon defeated Saint Mary's for its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.

"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," Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. "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."

Members of the Western Athletic Conference since 2013, Grand Canyon had previously announced in May that it would be joining the West Coast Conference in 2025.

Friday's announcement was not well received by WCC commissioner Stu Jackson.

"We are disappointed with its decision to seek conference membership elsewhere just months after completing its membership agreement with the WCC that would have enhanced its national profile," Jackson said, per ESPN. "The WCC views GCU's decision as a missed opportunity to be part of one of the premier conferences in men's basketball. The WCC is a perennial multibid league with a rich history that includes multiple national champions, six Final Four appearances and countless deep runs in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship."

--Field Level Media