Grand Canyon accepted an invitation to remain in the WAC for men’s soccer as an affiliate member. The announcement ensures the program has a home in a competitive conference that routinely sends multiple teams to the NCAA tournament.
On Nov. 1, GCU announced it would be moving to the Mountain West Conference for its primary conference affiliation no later than July 1, 2026, but possibly as early as the second quarter of 2025 if permitted under conference bylaws. The Mountain West does not sponsor men’s soccer, but the conference’s four schools that do play men’s soccer are affiliate members of the WAC: Air Force, San Diego State, San José State and UNLV.
The Lopes men’s soccer program has enjoyed a strong track record of success in the WAC. GCU claimed three WAC championships and secured berths in three NCAA tournaments, including two as an at-large selection. The conference sustained a high level of competitiveness with the WAC, sending multiple representatives to the NCAA tournament in five of the last eight seasons.
For the 2025 men’s soccer season, GCU will be members of an eight-team WAC that includes Air Force, California Baptist, San Diego State, San José State, UNLV, Utah Tech and Utah Valley.
Source GCU to play in WAC as men’s soccer affiliate – Grand Canyon University Athletics
