The Big West Conference is rumored to be voting on inviting Utah Valley University to join the league in the 2026 season, along with California Baptist, according to reports by Brett McMurphy of Action Network. This comes after Hawaii and UC Davis announced they are leaving the conference for the Mountain West in 2026. Big West officials have recently visited both campuses, including a trip to Utah Valley University in Orem.
The Big West Conference, founded 55 years ago and headquartered in Irvine, California, currently fields 19 sports and is based primarily in Southern California. If the invitation is extended and accepted, Utah Valley will be joining a conference that previously included other Utah schools like Utah State before they moved to the Mountain West.
Utah Valley University, which moved to NCAA Division I in 2003, has had a tumultuous journey in Division I athletics, including stints in the Great West Conference and the WAC. The departure of Utah Valley and California Baptist to the Big West would leave the WAC with just seven members in the 2026 season.
This potential conference realignment could have significant implications for Utah Valley University’s athletic programs and the landscape of college sports in Utah County. The decision will be made after the Big West Conference votes on the matter on Friday.
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