Four Utah schools officially changed conference affiliations on July 1, 2026, according to a report published October 18, 2026. Utah State, Utah Valley, Southern Utah, and Utah Tech all moved to new leagues for the 2026-27 academic year.
Utah State became a full member of the rebuilt Pac-12 on July 1, 2026, after the university announced its membership in September 2024. The Pac-12 currently has nine full-time members, including Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Gonzaga, Oregon State, San Diego State, Texas State, and Washington State. The conference's football lineup consists of eight teams, and the football championship game is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. Southern Utah is also listed as a Pac-12 affiliate in women's gymnastics.
Utah Valley joined the Big West as a full member on July 1, 2026, marking the return of Big West competition to Utah since Utah State left the league in 2005. While UVU sponsors 13 Big West sports, it does not have a football program. Additionally, UVU wrestling is a Big 12 affiliate for the 2026-27 season. The Big 12's wrestling regular-season championship features a nine-program slate with dual meets running from Nov. 7 to Feb. 17.
Southern Utah and Utah Tech joined the Big Sky on July 1, 2026, after both schools were announced for the move on June 25, 2025. They previously competed in the Western Athletic Conference. The Big Sky now has 11 full-time members, including Weber State. Utah Tech maintains a split arrangement where baseball and men's soccer are Mountain West affiliates, while women's swimming remains in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
Several institutions saw no change in their conference affiliations for the 2026-27 academic year. BYU and Utah remain in the Big 12, while Weber State remains a full member of the Big Sky. Westminster competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, and Snow College, Salt Lake Community College, and USU Eastern continue in the Scenic West Athletic Conference.
