Grand Canyon University head coach Bryce Drew. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Grand Canyon accelerates entry into new conference

By Pearson Gillam | Last updated Jul 8, 2025 8:25 PM ET

Grand Canyon University was in danger of being left out of a conference for the 2025-26 season. However, that concern has been alleviated.

Grand Canyon University’s entry request has been accepted one year early by the Mountain West Conference’s board of directors, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger.

As a result, GCU will play for an MWC championship across 17 different sports beginning this fall.

Originally, the Antelopes planned on becoming members of the West Coast Conference this summer, before Gonzaga made the decision to join the restructured Pac-12. The premature acceptance is a step in the right direction for the MWC, which will see five of its members depart for the Pac-12 in 2026.

The Mountain West has finalized an agreement with Grand Canyon for the school to join the league as a member this fall, a year earlier than anticipated, sources tell @YahooSports.

GCU, which does not play football, is expected to be added to MWC schedules for 2025-26.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) July 8, 2025

While GCU lacks a football team, it brings a hefty amount of talent to the league, especially when it comes to college basketball. The men’s and women’s squads went a combined 58-11 this past season.

The men have punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament three years in a row, which includes an upset victory over fifth-seeded Saint Mary’s in 2024. Not to mention, the Antelopes boast one of the more underrated home-court advantages in the country.

The MWC put four teams in the NCAA Tournament in March, with a fifth narrowly missing out. Now with the addition of GCU, all signs point toward the conference being even more competitive this season.

Although it will take some time for conference schedules to be fully adjusted, anticipate some high-stake showdowns on the hardwood in the MWC this winter.

Pearson Gillam

I am a writer from Atlanta, Georgia, who attends Oklahoma State University. I am majoring in Sports Media and have experience covering the school's track and field team for the local newspaper. I have expertise in college football and college basketball, but I also enjoy the NFL, cross-country running, and track and field.

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