Cal Poly Men's Soccer's Shocking Move to Pac-12 in 2026: What This Means for the Future!

In a significant shift for its athletic program, Cal Poly Men’s Soccer will transition from the Big West Conference to join the Pac-12 Conference as an associate member starting in the fall of 2026. This announcement was made by Cal Poly Athletics on March 30 and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the program after 25 years in the Big West.

The move comes as part of a collaborative partnership between the Big West and the Pac-12, which affects only men's soccer. In addition to Cal Poly, UC Riverside and UC San Diego will also join the Pac-12 as associate members, with California Baptist entering the Big West as a full member in the 2026-2027 season while also participating in the Pac-12.

These four schools will compete alongside established teams such as Oregon State, San Diego State, and Gonzaga. The upcoming Pac-12 season will consist of six conference matches, with the top four teams qualifying for the Pac-12 Tournament. While Cal Poly's specific schedule for the fall will be unveiled later this spring, the excitement around this new challenge is palpable.

Cal Poly's Head Coach Oige Kennedy, who previously served as the associate head coach for Stanford University from 2016 to 2022, expressed optimism about the transition. “This transition presents a new and demanding challenge with some top programs on our schedule for 2026,” Kennedy stated in a release. “It will require growth, resilience, and a relentless competitive edge – all qualities that our group is eager to embrace.”

This move also has implications for the Big West Conference, which will be left with teams such as Cal State Bakersfield, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Sacramento State, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, and Utah Valley. Notably, Utah Valley will be joining the Big West as a full member in the 2026-2027 season after previously being part of the Western Athletic Conference.

As part of this collaboration, both conferences will implement a scheduling partnership to allow for crossover matches, though these will not impact teams' standings or points in their respective conferences. Importantly, Cal Poly's longstanding rivalry with UC Santa Barbara will remain intact, with two non-conference matches scheduled throughout the 2026-2027 season, alternating locations between each campus.

The transition to the Pac-12 comes on the heels of Cal Poly's most successful period in Big West history, having claimed back-to-back regular-season titles in 2024 and 2025. During this time, the Mustangs achieved a commendable record of 9 wins, 3 losses, and 6 draws in conference play, reaching the semifinals of the Big West tournament in both years. As they prepare for a new slate of opponents, the Mustangs aim to build on their recent successes while competing against some of the most prestigious programs in the country.

As Cal Poly Men’s Soccer steps into this new era, the challenges and opportunities ahead promise to be significant for the program, its athletes, and its dedicated fan base.