The Mountain West Conference has announced that Grand Canyon University (GCU) will join its ranks in the 2025-26 academic year, a year ahead of schedule. Originally set to join on July 1, 2026, GCU is extended a unique opportunity by the Mountain West, allowing its student-athletes to immediately compete for conference championships and NCAA postseason eligibility.
According to MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, the inclusion of Grand Canyon marks a strategic enhancement for both GCU athletes and the Mountain West. Nevarez stated, “Grand Canyon brings elite recruiting, a passionate fanbase, and state-of-the-art facilities, elevating the Mountain West’s competitiveness and national profile. The early integration allows student-athletes to compete for conference championships and the NCAA postseason immediately, which aligns with our commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience. GCU is a great addition to the Mountain West, promoting higher levels of competition.”
Grand Canyon will participate in 17 sports under the Mountain West banner. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. Men’s sports include basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, tennis, and indoor and outdoor track and field.
GCU’s transition to the Mountain West follows a successful period in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), where the university secured its fifth consecutive WAC Commissioner’s Cup. Highlights from the recent athletic season include remarkable performances by GCU’s basketball teams, which secured a combined record of 58-11 (.841), won conference tournament championships, and participated in the NCAA Tournament. Notably, the men’s basketball team has qualified for four of the last five NCAA tournaments, progressing to the second round in 2024 with a victory over Saint Mary’s.
Lopes’ teams captured seven conference championships in the 2024-2025 season, with notable achievements by the softball and women’s basketball teams, both of which claimed regular-season and tournament titles. The GCU softball team not only debuted in the top 25 but also made their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, achieving a tournament win for the third straight year.
Furthermore, GCU earned tournament championships in women’s tennis and men’s indoor track and field, while the men’s golf team secured an at-large bid for the NCAA Regionals.
The Mountain West will comprise 14 universities during the 2025-26 academic year. This includes the United States Air Force Academy, Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San Diego State University, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Utah State University, and the University of Wyoming. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will compete solely in football, while Colorado College will participate in women’s soccer.
GCU President Brian Mueller expressed gratitude towards the Mountain West Conference, stating, “We are incredibly appreciative of the Mountain West Conference’s support of our student-athletes, our university, and our fans. Lope Nation has expanded significantly due to our innovative strategies and creative delivery models that offer cutting-edge academic programs both on-campus and nationwide. This momentum continues to benefit our athletic programs.”
Established in 1949, Grand Canyon University has experienced exponential growth, becoming the largest private Division I university in the United States. Situated in the heart of Phoenix, the country’s fifth-largest city, GCU has transformed over the past two decades, growing from the brink of closure to an enrollment exceeding 25,000 on-campus students and over 100,000 online students. With more than 17,000 students residing in its 32 on-campus residence halls, GCU represents the largest residential campus among private universities nationally, and it is ranked No. 21 for best college campuses in America by Niche.com. The university’s enrollment growth reflects significant expansion in its academic offerings—from four to 10 distinct colleges and over 350 programs, emphases, and certificates.
Jamie Boggs, GCU Vice President of Athletics, highlighted the strategic advantages of joining the Mountain West, stating, “GCU is excited for this opportunity for our student-athletes, the Havocs, and our fanbase. After winning 76 conference championships, this opportunity best positions GCU to become nationally competitive. We are thrilled about the Mountain West’s vision and future, and grateful to Commissioner Nevarez and member institutions. We eagerly anticipate competing for championships alongside our new peers in the Mountain West.”