As the 2026/27 NCAA women’s college basketball season approaches, nearly 30 programs are set to change conferences in what represents one of the most significant single-year realignments in recent NCAA history. This sweeping reshuffle affects multiple tiers of the sport and promises to redefine competitive landscapes across the country.
The Pac-12 Returns to NCAA Women’s College Basketball
At the heart of this transformation is the revitalization of the Pac-12 Conference, which had been on the brink of collapse with only two remaining members: Oregon State and Washington State. The conference has now bolstered its ranks by adding Texas State, Gonzaga, and five former members of the Mountain West Conference—Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State.
This influx of new members restores the Pac-12’s presence to nine teams, reestablishing its geographical footprint throughout the Western United States. The conference’s women’s basketball tournament is scheduled for March 9-13, 2027, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, setting the stage for a highly anticipated postseason event.
Outside of the Pac-12’s restructuring, other conferences are also undergoing notable changes. The Mountain West Conference has lost five programs but has replenished its lineup by bringing in Hawaii, UC Davis, and UTEP. Meanwhile, the Western Athletic Conference has undergone a rebranding, relaunching as the United Athletic Conference and incorporating six former members of the ASUN Conference.
Additionally, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego will transition to the West Coast Conference beginning in 2027, further adding to the evolving conference landscape.