Utah State leaving Mountain West for Pac-12 in 2026
LOGAN, Utah (ABC4) — It is now official. Utah State University gave written notice that it is leaving the Mountain West Conference and announced that it will be joining the Pac-12 Conference beginning in 2026.
Utah State University informed the Mountain West conference in writing that it will be departing the conference on May 29 and paid the mandatory deposit for exit fees, according to a statement from Utah State Athletics.
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'Utah State will compete in the Mountain West in 2025-26 and begin competition in the Pac-12 in the fall semester of 2026,' Utah State Athletics said in its statement.
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According to documents obtained by ABC4.com through a public records request, Utah State University will be leaving the Mountain West Conference on June 30, 2026. USU has competed in the Mountain West the last 13 years.
Utah State had to notify the Mountain West of its decision by June 1st, otherwise its exit fee would increase from $18 million to $36 million.
Interim President of USU Dr. Alan Smith wrote in his notice to Commissioner Nevarez, 'Utah State appreciates the years of competition and collaboration within the Mountain West and
wishes each of the member institutions success in the future.'
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Utah State will enter the newly revamped Pac-12 Conference with Oregon State, Washington State, Colorado State, Boise State, Fresno State and San Diego State. Gonzaga will compete in the Pac-12 in basketball. The conference still needs to find one more football school by July 1st to be eligible for the College Football Playoffs.
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