Grand Canyon University will officially join the Mountain West Conference by July 1, 2026, setting the stage for a budding rivalry with UNLV as the league undergoes major realignment.

Grand Canyon University has officially joined the Mountain West a year early. On Tuesday, the conference announced that GCU has joined the league as a member for the 2025-2026 season. The Lopes are eligible to compete for Mountain West conference championships and NCAA postseasons immediately.

Grand Canyon University is joining a high-profile conference beginning next sports season. GCU struck a deal to join the Mountain West Conference on July 8, with all sports to begin conference play this fall.