Photo by: Matt Brown
The Big West and Pac-12 Conference Announce Collaborative Men's Soccer Partnership
March 30, 2026 | Men's Soccer
SAN RAMON, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer as part of the Big West will have a newer look starting in the 2026-27 season as The Pac-12 Conference and The Big West jointly announced today a collaborative men's soccer partnership.
"This partnership represents what can happen when conferences work together with purpose," said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly. "Our shared goal has been clear — protect opportunities for student-athletes, preserve Division I men's soccer in the West, and ensure our institutions continue to have meaningful access to NCAA championship pathways. This collaborative approach reflects the strength of our partnership with the Pac-12 and our collective commitment to the future of the sport."
"The Pac-12 is proud to partner with the Big West on this important initiative," said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. "By working together, our conferences are ensuring stability for men's soccer programs across the region and maintaining strong competitive opportunities and postseason access for our student-athletes. This collaboration and partnership advances our goal of supporting competitive and viable Olympic sports."
This joint initiative reflects a shared commitment to preserving competitive opportunities for student-athletes and ensuring long-term sustainability for men's soccer programs across the region. This strategic partnership is designed to strengthen and sustain Division I men's soccer opportunities across the western United States. As part of it, new member California Baptist along with Cal Poly, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego will compete as affiliate members in Pac-12 men's soccer beginning with the 2026–27 season joining full-time conference members Oregon State, Gonzaga, and San Diego State. The Big West will be made up of UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara, and new full-time additions Sacramento State and Utah Valley. In addition, the Pac-12 and Big West will implement a scheduling collaboration featuring crossover matches between member institutions of both conferences.
Additional information including scheduling details will be release as the 2026 season approaches. For updated information and schedules on UC Irvine men's soccer, fans can stay tuned in to ucirvinesports.com
"This partnership represents what can happen when conferences work together with purpose," said Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly. "Our shared goal has been clear — protect opportunities for student-athletes, preserve Division I men's soccer in the West, and ensure our institutions continue to have meaningful access to NCAA championship pathways. This collaborative approach reflects the strength of our partnership with the Pac-12 and our collective commitment to the future of the sport."
"The Pac-12 is proud to partner with the Big West on this important initiative," said Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould. "By working together, our conferences are ensuring stability for men's soccer programs across the region and maintaining strong competitive opportunities and postseason access for our student-athletes. This collaboration and partnership advances our goal of supporting competitive and viable Olympic sports."
This joint initiative reflects a shared commitment to preserving competitive opportunities for student-athletes and ensuring long-term sustainability for men's soccer programs across the region. This strategic partnership is designed to strengthen and sustain Division I men's soccer opportunities across the western United States. As part of it, new member California Baptist along with Cal Poly, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego will compete as affiliate members in Pac-12 men's soccer beginning with the 2026–27 season joining full-time conference members Oregon State, Gonzaga, and San Diego State. The Big West will be made up of UC Irvine, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Bakersfield, CSUN, UC Santa Barbara, and new full-time additions Sacramento State and Utah Valley. In addition, the Pac-12 and Big West will implement a scheduling collaboration featuring crossover matches between member institutions of both conferences.
Additional information including scheduling details will be release as the 2026 season approaches. For updated information and schedules on UC Irvine men's soccer, fans can stay tuned in to ucirvinesports.com
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