After months of speculation, Gonzaga University has accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Athletic Conference.

The Spokane-based Jesuit school’s athletic teams will participate in the conference beginning July 1, 2026, with all athletic teams participating in the conference beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Gonzaga is the eighth university to join the Pac-12 as the conference reshapes itself after 10 schools left the conference last year to join other conferences.

In a press release announcing the departure from the West Coast Conference, Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh says: “After discussions with Pac-12 member presidents, I believe membership will represent an opportunity to participate in building a conference that introduces new, forward-thinking ways to support student-athletes in a rapidly changing collegiate sports landscape.”

He adds that he is looking forward to it Opportunities to collaborate with other institutions in the conference that can provide inter-institutional collaboration for Gonzaga students, faculty and staff.

Gonzaga’s addition to the conference follows the recent additions of Boise State University, Colorado State University, San Diego State University, Utah State University and From California State University, Fresno to the Pac-12, whose founding members are Washington State University and Oregon State University.