What Conference Is Washington State Football In? 2025 Update

By Sarah Miller · May 12, 2040

Washington State University football competes in the Pac-12 Conference, effective through the 2024 season. Starting in 2025, the team will transition to the West Coast Conference (WCC) for all sports except football, which will join the Mountain West Conference as an affiliate member.

Understanding Washington State Football's Conference Affiliation

As of the 2024 college football season, the Washington State Cougars represent the Pac-12 Conference. However, due to major realignment across NCAA Division I athletics, significant changes are underway. Beginning in 2025, Washington State will shift its primary conference affiliation to the West Coast Conference (WCC), a move that applies to most sponsored sports but excludes football.

The football program will take a different path, joining the Mountain West Conference (MWC) as a football-only affiliate member starting in the 2025 season. This hybrid model ensures competitive scheduling stability while preserving regional rivalries and travel efficiency.

Why Is Conference Realignment Happening?

Departure of key Pac-12 members like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington to the Big Ten
Media rights revenue disparities between conferences
NCAA rule changes allowing multi-school media deals
Need for financial sustainability and national exposure

Washington State’s Transition Plan: 2024 to 2025

The shift from the Pac-12 to a dual-conference model is historic and strategic. Below is a breakdown of the expected conference affiliations before and after the 2024 season.

Season	Primary Conference	Football Conference	Key Rivals	Media Deal (Annual Share)
2022–2024	Pac-12 Conference	Pac-12 Conference	Washington, Oregon, Oregon State	$34 million (est.)
2025 onward	West Coast Conference	Mountain West Conference (football only)	Idaho, Boise State, Colorado State	$6–8 million (est. WCC + MWC)

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a significant drop in projected media revenue per school under the new alignment, reflecting the challenges mid-tier programs face amid conference consolidation. However, joining the Mountain West for football provides geographic cohesion and reduced travel costs, particularly compared to potential cross-country matchups in other Power Four leagues.

This hybrid model—WCC for most sports, MWC for football—is unprecedented and may set a precedent for other schools facing similar realignment pressures.

Impact on Scheduling and Rivalries

Maintaining traditional rivalries remains a priority. Despite conference changes, Washington State has negotiated agreements to preserve key annual games:

Apple Cup vs. Washington: Scheduled annually through 2030 as a non-conference matchup
vs. Oregon State: Part of a 6-year series beginning 2025
Regional Non-Conference Games: Annual matchups with Boise State, Idaho, and BYU planned

Benefits of Joining the Mountain West for Football

Reduced travel burden compared to ACC or Big 12 tie-ins
Strong fan engagement in Western U.S. markets
Proven bowl game partnerships (e.g., LA Bowl, Arizona Bowl)
Competitive parity with current roster strength

Frequently Asked Questions About Washington State Football’s Conference

What conference is Washington State football in for 2024?

In 2024, Washington State football competes in the Pac-12 Conference, marking one of the final seasons of the league’s existence in its traditional form.

What conference is WSU football moving to in 2025?

Starting in 2025, Washington State football will join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only affiliate member, while the rest of its athletic programs move to the West Coast Conference.

Why isn’t Washington State joining the Big 12 or ACC?

Invitations to the Big 12 or ACC were not extended due to geographic misalignment and limited media market appeal. The Mountain West offered a more practical and financially viable option for sustained competitiveness.

Will Washington State still play Oregon and Washington every year?

Yes. Washington State has secured a deal to continue the Apple Cup against Washington annually through 2030. A rotating series with Oregon and Oregon State is also scheduled, ensuring continued Pac-12 legacy matchups.

How does the WCC + MWC model affect recruiting?

The hybrid model maintains national visibility through MWC television contracts and keeps travel manageable for recruits from the Pacific Northwest. Coaches emphasize regional pride and cost-effective competition as selling points.