Boise State among four to join Pac-12 Conference in 2026

Boise State announced early Thursday morning that it has accepted an invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference.

The Broncos will join San Diego State, Colorado State and Fresno State as new members of a rebuilt Pac-12 along with Oregon State and Washington State on July 1st, 2026.

The news comes out of nowhere. Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports first reported the possibility around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. Other national reporters soon followed with reports, and by 7 a.m. Thursday – barely 10 hours later – the move was official.

Boise State has long wanted to get into the Pac-12, although this version looks nothing like the iconic one of just a few years ago.

“What a great day to be a Bronco!” Boise State Athletics Director Jeramiah Dickey said in a release. “I extend my gratitude to Dr. Tromp, our Office of General Counsel, and the many members of our state board, university, and athletics leadership groups who contributed to this process. We evaluated this move from many angles and considered it with our head and our heart, and most importantly, with our 350+ student-athletes in mind.

“When it came down to making the final decision, we chose this path because it puts Boise State in the best position for success, and is in the best interest of this university and community. From the storytelling opportunities with Pac-12 Enterprises to recruiting and revenue opportunities, we feel this best aligns with our department’s goal of elevating its national reputation through competitive excellence and aggressively moves us into What’s Next. We won’t ever stop!”

The Pac-12 must add at least two more schools to get to the minimum of eight needed to remain an FBS conference. Other potential targets could be UNLV, Memphis, Tulane and South Florida. A return to the Pac-12 for Stanford and Cal also could be possible.

“Boise State University has excelled across every metric by which we are measured, from the lab to the classroom to the field of play. We have shattered records for research awards, graduation numbers and philanthropic giving. Our exciting trajectory matched by the prowess of our storied athletic programs makes this the moment to advance to the Pac-12 conference,” Boise State president Dr. Marlene Tromp said in a release.

Dickey went into more detail on the move in an email to BAA members and other donors and ticket holders. Here’s that letter:

“Today is a transformational day.

When we set the course for Boise State with the What’s Next Initiative back in 2021, we envisioned a future for the Broncos where we worked for the future we wanted, not what we were left with. Today, we took a huge step towards that future.

We are beyond excited to formally accept the invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference and be a part of this reimagined league with Oregon State and Washington State, as well as our fellow partner schools Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, effective July 1, 2026. Pending approval of the full agreement by the Idaho State Board of Education.

We evaluated this move from many angles and considered it with our head and our heart, and most importantly, with our 350+ student-athletes in mind. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Tromp, our Office of General Counsel, and the many members of the Idaho State Board of Education, university, and athletics leadership groups who contributed to this process. When it came down to making the final decision, we chose this path because it puts Boise State in the best position for success. We have always chosen that path, and this one was no different.

College athletics is a relationship-based industry, and this decision was not easy from that perspective. We are grateful for the relationships in the Mountain West Conference for the last 13+ years, and we look forward to being proud members and great partners through the end of our time in the conference.

From a competitive excellence standpoint, we have celebrated 32 team conference championships and 78 individual conference titles since joining the Mountain West. We are second in the Mountain West in total team championships across football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. We are also one of two teams to have won a conference title in each of football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, volleyball and softball since 2011-12, our first year in the Mountain West.

Nationally, we are one of four schools in the last three years to qualify for a bowl game and reach the NCAA Tournament in men’s basketball. We have won seven national championships in the last 13 years.

In other words, we believe our success in athletic competition shows we are ready for What’s Next. We are a national brand, and we do not shy away from that and what that means for us going forward.

College athletics has undergone incredible change over the last few years. We as Broncos are not ones to stand on the sidelines. We are always forward-thinking and constantly evaluating what can help set us apart for the betterment of our student-athletes, our coaches and staff, our university, our community – and our future.

There are several questions yet to be answered, and we have a strong direction with time to build something epic. I have faith in our staff and Bronco Nation, and I will always bet on us.

Now is the time to show your support of the Broncos even more. Whether it is season tickets to all of our sports, attending any of our competitions and events, becoming a member of the Bronco Athletic Association, or supporting the Horseshoe Collective, all of it matters. We are in a great position and that is a reflection of all the support demonstrated by Bronco Nation to this point. We are grateful for all of you.

There has been great momentum for Boise State lately – and we strongly believe this next chapter in our history will elevate us even faster for What’s Next. We won’t ever stop.”

The Pac-12, Fresno State, Colorado State and San Diego State also officially announced the move on Thursday morning.