UC Davis basketball to be added to Mountain West Conference

While the local buzz surrounding the growth of college sports has primarily revolved around Sacramento State, UC Davis Athletics has been called up to the Mountain West Conference first.

Reports circulated Tuesday that UC Davis sports—except football—will be added to the Mountain West Conference in 2026. The conference confirmed the news shortly after, meaning the Aggies will be the tenth and final basketball program to join the conference.

The move lifts UC Davis Athletics (basketball, volleyball, soccer, etc.) from the FBS level into the FCS division of the NCAA.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭, 𝐔𝐂 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐬! 🤝 pic.twitter.com/9aB5rvJxwx

— Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 10, 2024

More on UC Davis Athletics joining the Mountain West Conference

Release courtesy of the Mountain West Conference

The Mountain West Conference today announced the addition of the University of California, Davis, beginning July 1, 2026.

“Adding UC Davis further strengthens the trajectory of the Mountain West as it continues to build its brand that has proven to elevate institutions and student-athletes,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez.  “Chancellor Gary S. May and Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca have shared their strategic plan and financial vision for enhancing student-athlete development, welfare, and competitive excellence, and I believe UC Davis brings a wealth of positives in the continuing growth of the Mountain West.”

Starting with the 2026-2027 academic year, the Mountain West will feature the United States Air Force Academy, University of California, Davis, Grand Canyon University, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of Texas, El Paso and the University of Wyoming.

UC Davis will compete in 16 conference-sponsored sports. Women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, soccer, softball, swim and dive, tennis, and volleyball. Men’s sports include basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, outdoor track and field, and tennis.

“We are thrilled to join the Mountain West Conference, and we look forward to an incredible experience for our student-athletes and for our fans,” said UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May. “Our transition to the highly regarded Conference will introduce our Aggie community to a broader audience in major metropolitan areas and through increased media coverage. It also provides us with an opportunity to align with universities that share similar academic strengths—such as agriculture, engineering, and sciences—while also expanding our competitive presence in the Western United States.”

The University of California, Davis, was founded in 1908 primarily as an agricultural campus. Over the past century, it has expanded to include graduate and professional programs in medicine (including the UC Davis Medical Center). The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is the largest veterinary school in the United States.

UC Davis is classified among “R1: Doctoral Universities—Very high research activity.” UC Davis athletes have won a total of 10 Olympic medals, and university faculty, alumni, and researchers have received two Nobel Prizes, one Fields Medal, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, three Pulitzer Prizes, three MacArthur Fellowships, and a National Medal of Science.

With the move to Mountain West, UC Davis has committed to continuing to invest in its basketball program, which will parallel its new conference brethren.

“We are grateful to the Mountain West Conference membership for this incredible opportunity and for sharing our vision of academic and athletics excellence,” said UC Davis Director of Athletics Rocko DeLuca. “Our campus leadership, students, Aggie alumni, fans, the Davis community, and the broader Sacramento region all recognize the unique spirit of UC Davis and carry Aggie Pride with them each and every day. They have invested their time, talent, and resources in supporting our growth, and the success of our fall sports is a clear reflection of those efforts. Now is the time to showcase Aggie Pride on a national stage, and the Mountain West’s brand and strategy align perfectly with our aspirations.”

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