The Pac-12 Conference and The Big West announced on Mar. 30 a new men’s soccer partnership aimed at strengthening Division I opportunities across the western United States.
The collaboration is intended to help sustain competitive men’s soccer programs in the region, while preserving opportunities for student-athletes and ensuring long-term stability for the sport.
Under this agreement, California Baptist, Cal Poly, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego will join Pac-12 men’s soccer as affiliate members starting with the 2026–27 season. The two conferences will also introduce a scheduling arrangement that includes crossover matches between their member institutions. Beginning this fall, Utah Valley will compete against several Big West teams including UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Sacramento State, CSUN, and Cal State Bakersfield. Details about Utah Valley’s crossover games with Pac-12 teams are expected to be released later.
Utah Valley Men’s Soccer Head Coach Michael Chesler said: “We are thrilled about the Big West and Pac-12 men’s soccer alignment. This exciting partnership elevates the competition to an entirely new level, delivering intense, high-quality weekly battles against some of the best programs in the West. For our team, it means weekly tests that will accelerate our growth, sharpen our competitive edge, and provide the demanding environment we need to reach their full potential both on and off the field. We embrace these new challenges with great enthusiasm and look forward to representing UVU with pride as we compete in this stronger, more dynamic conference landscape. This is a tremendous step forward for our program and for college soccer in the West — and we cannot wait to get started.”
Big West Commissioner Dan Butterly said: “This partnership represents what can happen when conferences work together with purpose… 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.”
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said: “The Pac-12 is proud to partner with the Big West on this important initiative… 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.”
