University of California, San Diego to participate in West Coast Conference starting from the year 2027
UC San Diego Joins the West Coast Conference
UC San Diego has made a significant leap in the world of college sports, officially joining the West Coast Conference (WCC) starting from the 2027-28 academic year. The announcement was made by WCC Commissioner Stu Jackson, following the approval by the West Coast Conference Presidents’ Council, chaired by University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan.
The Tritons will compete in 14 of the WCC's 16 sponsored sports, including men's and women's basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, and softball. This expansion marks a notable milestone for UC San Diego, as they complete their transition to NCAA Division I in 2024.
UC San Diego's foray into the WCC comes at a time of change for the conference. Seattle officially joined the WCC this year, while Gonzaga decided to exit the conference for the Pac-12. The newly formed Pac-12 will start play in the fall of 2026, with Boise State, Gonzaga, OSU, San Diego State, Texas State, and WSU headlining the new conference.
The addition of UC San Diego aligns with the conference's goals, according to Commissioner Jackson. He also mentioned that the conference is adapting to the college realignment landscape.
UC San Diego's Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla expressed his excitement about joining the WCC, stating that it will amplify UC San Diego's audience, media coverage, and national presence. This sentiment was echoed by Lindsay Schnell of The Athletic, who reported that Jackson stressed the importance of student-athletes overcoming challenges related to geography.
The Tritons made history by qualifying the men's and women's basketball teams for the NCAA Tournament in their first year of eligibility. However, both teams faced early elimination, with the men's team losing in the first round to Michigan, and the women's team losing in a First Four game to Southern.
In addition to the WCC rivalries, UC San Diego will also compete against cross-town rivals, the University of San Diego Toreros, in various sports. UC San Diego seeks a conference affiliation for the remaining 10 sports.
The addition of UC San Diego as a full-member public school and non-religious institution in the WCC is a significant step, as it has been over four decades since such an institution joined the conference. This move is expected to bring a fresh perspective and new energy to the WCC.
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