COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West announced today a significant expansion of its sport sponsorship portfolio with the addition of men’s soccer and men’s swimming and diving as the league’s 20th and 21st sponsored sports, beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. In conjunction with this expansion, Utah Tech University will join the Mountain West as an affiliate member in both baseball and men’s soccer.
“The addition of men’s soccer and men’s swimming and diving to the Mountain West represents a bold step forward in our commitment to broad-based excellence,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “These sports not only elevate our competitive profile but also reflect the growing interest and investment from our member institutions. We’re proud to support student-athletes in these disciplines and excited to see the impact they’ll have on our Conference’s future.”
The Mountain West becomes the first NCAA Division I conference to add men’s soccer since the Ohio Valley Conference in 2023 and the Sun Belt Conference’s reinstatement in 2022. The inaugural MW men’s soccer lineup will feature the United States Air Force Academy; University of California, Davis; Grand Canyon University; San José State University; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Utah Tech University.
Men’s swimming and diving returns to the Mountain West for the first time since 2011, with the following institutions set to compete: the United States Air Force Academy; Grand Canyon University; University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and University of Wyoming.
The addition of Utah Tech will bring the total of MW baseball programs to nine and include 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; and Utah Tech University.
“Welcoming Utah Tech as an affiliate member in baseball marks an exciting milestone for the Mountain West,” said Nevarez. “Their dedication to competitive excellence and institutional growth aligns seamlessly with our strategic vision. This addition not only deepens our baseball lineup but also reinforces our commitment to providing elite opportunities for student-athletes across the Conference.”
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