Report: Villanova football leaving CAA for Patriot League

Field Level Media|published: 06/05/2025, 10:32am EDT

Delaware receiver Jake Thaw can't come up with a catch against Villanova's Ty Trinh in the third quarter of the Blue Hens' 38-28 loss at Villanova Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

The Villanova football program is leaving the Coastal Athletic Association to join the Patriot League, ESPN reported Thursday.

The move will take effect in 2026 for the Wildcats, who joined the CAA (formerly Colonial Athletic Association) of the Football Championship Subdivision in 2007.

Villanova finished 10-4 last season (6-2 CAA) and lost in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

The Patriot League's members include Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette and Lehigh.

Villanova previously competed in the Atlantic 10 (1997-2006) and Yankee conferences (1987-96).

The school's basketball programs are members of the Big East Conference.

--Field Level Media