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 has finalized a deal allowing it to join the Mountain West Conference in time to participate in the 2025-26 athletic calendar, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander. Grand Canyon was originally set to join the Mountain West no later than July 1,

A present comes early for Lopes fans. GCU left the WAC and will be heading to the Mountain West for this school year. The school initially announced it was headed to the WCC before accepting a last-minute bid to the Mountain West instead. The Mountain West invite was set for 2026-2027 season.