In a major shakeup of the college athletics landscape, UC Davis has announced that it will be joining the Mountain West Conference (MWC) in all sports except football, starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Aggies will become the 12th member of the MWC, which is currently made up of schools from California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
UC Davis has cited several reasons for its decision to join the MWC, including:
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Geographic Alignment: The MWC's geographic footprint aligns well with UC Davis's location in Northern California, providing the Aggies with more regional rivalries and reduced travel costs. -
Academic Prestige: The MWC is known for its academic excellence, with several of its member schools ranked among the top public universities in the nation. This alignment provides UC Davis with opportunities for collaboration and research partnerships. -
Increased Competition: The MWC offers a higher level of competition than UC Davis's current conference, the Big West. This will challenge the Aggies' student-athletes and provide them with a more rigorous athletic experience.
While UC Davis will be joining the MWC in all other sports, the Aggies' football program will remain a member of the Football Championship Series (FCS), the second-highest level of college football. This decision was made due to the significant financial and logistical challenges associated with moving to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football.
The move to the MWC is expected to have a significant financial impact on UC Davis's athletic department. The MWC provides its members with a larger share of television revenue and other conference distributions, which will increase the Aggies' operating budget and provide resources for facility upgrades and scholarships.
| Source of Revenue | Amount |
|---|---|
| Ticket Sales | $10.2 million |
| TV Rights and Media | $6.5 million |
| Conference Distributions | $3.8 million |
| Donor Contributions | $2.7 million |
| Other | $1.4 million |
| Total Revenue | $24.6 million |
| Team Expenses | $15.2 million |
| Administrative Expenses | $4.8 million |
| Scholarships | $3.1 million |
| Other | $1.5 million |
| Total Expenses | $24.6 million |
Source: UC Davis Athletic Department
The UC Davis community has expressed mixed reactions to the decision to join the MWC. Some supporters believe that the move will enhance the university's athletic reputation and provide student-athletes with a better competitive experience. Others are concerned about the potential for increased expenses and the loss of traditional rivalries with Big West schools.
Athletic Director Dan Guerrero has defended the decision, stating that it is in the best long-term interest of UC Davis Athletics. "The Mountain West Conference provides us with the opportunity to compete at a higher level, align with like-minded institutions, and enhance our student-athlete experience," Guerrero said.
UC Davis's decision to join the Mountain West Conference is a significant step in the evolution of its athletic program. The move will bring both opportunities and challenges, and it will be up to the university and its supporters to ensure that the transition is a success. Only time will tell what the full impact of this decision will be on UC Davis Athletics and the wider college sports landscape.
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