Where is Gonzaga University Basketball Located?

By Sarah Miller · August 29, 2043

Gonzaga University basketball is located in Spokane, Washington, where both the men's and women's teams play their home games at the McCarthey Athletic Center on campus. The Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the West Coast Conference (WCC).

Overview of Gonzaga University Basketball

Gonzaga University basketball refers to the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball programs representing Gonzaga University, a private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington. The men's team, in particular, has gained national prominence over the past two decades for its consistent excellence, deep tournament runs, and development of NBA talent.

Key Facts About the Program

Home Arena: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
Conference: West Coast Conference (WCC)
NCAA Division: Division I
Men's Head Coach: Mark Few
Women's Head Coach: Lisa Fortier
Nickname: Bulldogs

Men's Basketball Success and National Recognition

The Gonzaga men's basketball team has been one of the most successful mid-major programs in college basketball history. Since breaking through in the late 1990s, the Bulldogs have made numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, including multiple Final Four trips.

Recent Achievements

Final Four Appearances: 2017, 2021
Elite Eight Appearances: Multiple, including 2015, 2019, 2022
Regular Season Championships: Won or shared WCC title in 24 of the last 25 seasons (1999–2024)
AP Top-10 Finishes: Frequent, including No. 1 final ranking in 2021 (AP Poll)

Women's Basketball Program Growth

The Gonzaga women's basketball team has also seen significant growth, regularly competing in the NCAA Tournament and WNIT. Under head coach Lisa Fortier, the program has become a consistent force in the West Coast Conference.

Women's Team Highlights

NCAA Tournament Appearances: 8 total (as of 2025), including 2019, 2021, 2023
WCC Championships: 2019, 2021, 2023
Notable Players: Jill Barta, Ayoka Lee, Kaylynne Truong

McCarthey Athletic Center: Home of the Bulldogs

The McCarthey Athletic Center, opened in 2004, is known as one of the premier on-campus arenas in mid-major college basketball. Located directly on Gonzaga's campus in Spokane, it provides an intimate and loud environment for home games.

Arena Features

Capacity: 6,000
Opened: 2004
Surface: Hardwood court with prominent Zags logo
Location: On Gonzaga University campus, Spokane, WA
Nicknames: "The Kennel"

Conference Affiliation and Future Outlook

Gonzaga has long been a member of the West Coast Conference, sharing the league with schools like Saint Mary's, BYU (historically), and San Francisco. Despite periodic speculation about conference realignment, Gonzaga remains in the WCC through at least 2026.

Why Gonzaga Stays in the WCC

Strong brand identity within the conference
High revenue from tournament success offsets Power Five move
Commitment to Jesuit educational values aligned with WCC institutions
Control over scheduling and media rights

Season	Men's Record	Women's Record	Men's NCAA Result	Women's NCAA Result
2020–2021	26–5	22–7	Runner-up	First Round
2021–2022	28–4	23–10	Second Round	WNIT Champions
2022–2023	29–8	27–8	Round of 32	First Round
2023–2024	27–8	24–9	Round of 32	Second Round
2024–2025	25–7 (projected)	23–8 (projected)	TBD	TBD

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The table illustrates the sustained high performance of both Gonzaga's men's and women's basketball programs over recent seasons. The men's team consistently posts win percentages above .850 and earns top seeds in the NCAA Tournament, while the women's team has improved markedly, reaching the NCAA Tournament in four of the last five years. Both programs demonstrate elite-level consistency within the WCC and nationally.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gonzaga University Basketball

Where do Gonzaga Bulldogs play basketball?

Gonzaga Bulldogs play their home basketball games at the McCarthey Athletic Center, located on the university's campus in Spokane, Washington.

What conference is Gonzaga basketball in?

Gonzaga University basketball competes in the West Coast Conference (WCC) for both men's and women's divisions.

Has Gonzaga ever won a national championship in basketball?

As of 2025, the Gonzaga men's basketball team has not won an NCAA national championship. They were runners-up in 2017 and 2021. The women's team has not yet reached the championship game.

Who is the head coach of Gonzaga men's basketball?

Mark Few has been the head coach of Gonzaga men's basketball since 1999 and is one of the most successful coaches in NCAA history.

Is Gonzaga moving to the Big 12 Conference?

As of 2025, Gonzaga remains in the West Coast Conference. While there has been speculation about joining a Power Six conference like the Big 12, no official move has occurred.