UC Santa Barbara to Join West Coast Conference in 2027-28 Season
UC Santa Barbara will join the West Coast Conference for the 2027-28 season, bringing the league's membership to 12 teams. The decision follows the addition of Denver and UC San Diego, with Denver starting next season. The move comes after Gonzaga's departure to the Pac-12 at the end of the current school year.
Spatms / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)UC Santa Barbara will join the West Coast Conference for the 2027-28 season, increasing the league's membership to 12 teams. The West Coast Conference Presidents' Council approved the admission on Friday. This follows recent decisions to add Denver and UC San Diego.
Denver will begin competition in the league next season, while UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego will join the following year. Gonzaga will leave the conference at the end of the current school year to join the Pac-12. The additions will result in the WCC having 12 schools for the first time.
The West Coast Conference has undergone several membership changes in recent years amid realignments in college athletics.
The addition of UC Santa Barbara aims to maintain the league's competitive balance following Gonzaga's exit. Affected parties include student-athletes, coaches and administrators at UC Santa Barbara, who will transition to new conference affiliations and scheduling.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
4 events- Friday
West Coast Conference Presidents' Council approved UC Santa Barbara's admission.
1 sourceEspn - End of 2023-24 school year
Gonzaga will leave the West Coast Conference to join the Pac-12.
1 sourceEspn - 2024-25 season
Denver will begin competition in the West Coast Conference.
1 sourceEspn - 2027-28 season
UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego will join the West Coast Conference.
1 sourceEspn
Potential Impact
- 01
UC Santa Barbara athletes will compete in new conference, affecting travel and rivalries.
- 02
West Coast Conference will expand to 12 teams, altering scheduling and competition structure.
- 03
League's NCAA tournament representation may change with membership shifts.
- 04
Gonzaga's departure could influence WCC's media rights and revenue distribution.
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