What Happened to Western Athletic Conference (WAC)?
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC), established in 1962, has a storied history in collegiate athletics marked by significant membership fluctuations and realignments. It is currently in its final academic year under its historic name, as it will officially rebrand as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) on July 1, 2026, consolidating an existing football-only alliance into an all-sports conference.
Quick Answer
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC) is undergoing a significant transformation, culminating in its rebranding as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) on July 1, 2026. This change follows years of membership shifts and the prior formation of a football-only UAC alliance with the Atlantic Sun Conference. The 2025-26 academic year marks the WAC's final season under its historic name, with its remaining core members joining new institutions under the UAC banner, aiming for greater stability and regional competition. The final WAC basketball tournaments were held in March 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Founded
The Western Athletic Conference was officially established with six charter members: Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.
Merger with High Country Athletic Conference
The WAC merged with the High Country Athletic Conference, integrating women's sports into the conference structure.
WAC Reaches Peak Membership
The conference expanded to a peak of 16 full members, becoming the largest NCAA Division I-A conference at the time.
Major Departures to Form Mountain West Conference
Seven WAC institutions, including four charter members, seceded to establish the Mountain West Conference, significantly impacting the WAC's size and competitive standing.
Discontinuation of Football
Following years of membership losses, the WAC discontinued sponsoring football, transitioning to a Division I non-football conference.
Reinstatement of FCS Football and ASUN Alliance
The WAC reinstated football at the FCS level and formed a scheduling alliance with the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) for football.
Formation of Football-Only United Athletic Conference (UAC)
The football-only United Athletic Conference (UAC) officially began operations as an alliance between the WAC and ASUN football programs.
Grand Canyon and Seattle U Announce Departures
Grand Canyon University and Seattle University announced their intentions to leave the WAC for the West Coast Conference in 2025, though GCU later flipped to the Mountain West.
Rebekah Ray Appointed WAC Commissioner
Rebekah Ray was unanimously appointed as the eighth full-time Commissioner in the history of the Western Athletic Conference.
WAC Announces Rebranding to United Athletic Conference (UAC)
The WAC publicly announced its decision to rebrand as the all-sports United Athletic Conference (UAC), effective July 1, 2026, integrating the existing football alliance and adding new members.
Utah Valley Exit Fee Dispute and Tournament Participation
Utah Valley, set to join the Big West, was involved in a legal dispute with the WAC over a $1 million exit fee. A court injunction allowed them to participate in the WAC Basketball Tournament.
Final WAC Basketball Tournaments Begin
The 2026 WAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, the last under the Western Athletic Conference name, commenced at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
Final WAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship
The final WAC Men's Basketball Tournament Championship game was played between Utah Valley and California Baptist. California Baptist won the women's tournament.
Official Rebranding to United Athletic Conference (UAC)
The Western Athletic Conference will officially cease to exist under its current name and will rebrand as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for all sports.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Western Athletic Conference (WAC), founded on July 27, 1962, began with six charter members and grew significantly over its history, reaching a peak of 16 institutions in 1996. However, the conference has been profoundly shaped by numerous realignments in collegiate athletics. A major turning point occurred in 1998 when seven of its institutions, including four original charter members, departed to form the Mountain West Conference, significantly diminishing the WAC's footprint and competitive standing.
Following years of membership losses, the WAC discontinued sponsoring football after the 2012–13 season, transitioning to a non-football Division I conference. The conference later reinstated football at the FCS level in 2021, entering a scheduling alliance with the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). This alliance evolved, and on July 1, 2023, the football-only United Athletic Conference (UAC) officially formed, comprising football programs from both the WAC and ASUN.
The WAC continued to face membership challenges, with several schools announcing their departures in 2024 and 2025. Grand Canyon University and Seattle University announced their intent to leave in 2025, followed by California Baptist University and Utah Valley University, which are set to join the Big West Conference in 2026. Southern Utah and Utah Tech are also slated to depart for the Big Sky Conference in 2026.
In a strategic move to stabilize and redefine its future, the WAC announced on June 26, 2025, that it would officially rebrand as the United Athletic Conference (UAC) for all sports, effective July 1, 2026. This new all-sports UAC will include three legacy WAC members—Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and UT Arlington—along with five institutions from the ASUN that currently play football in the UAC: Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, and West Georgia. Rebekah Ray was appointed as the eighth WAC Commissioner on March 12, 2025, overseeing this transitional period.
As of March 15, 2026, the WAC is in its final months of operation under its current name. The 2026 WAC Men's and Women's Basketball Tournaments, held from March 11-14, 2026, were the last to be contested under the Western Athletic Conference banner. Notably, Utah Valley, a departing member, was involved in a legal dispute with the WAC over a $1 million exit fee but was granted a court injunction allowing its participation in the men's tournament. California Baptist won the women's tournament. The rebranding to the United Athletic Conference aims to create a more geographically aligned and stable conference, leveraging a strategic alliance with the ASUN to enhance operational efficiency and competitive opportunities.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Western Athletic Conference (WAC) made different choices?