ROSEMONT, Illinois – The Big Ten Conference has officially expanded to include the University of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and the University of Washington, increasing its membership to 18 institutions. All four universities will participate in conference sports beginning this season.
Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti welcomed the new members, noting, “Today marks an exciting moment as we officially bring the University of Oregon, UCLA, USC, and the University of Washington into the Big Ten Conference. Each of these institutions combines outstanding academics with strong athletic programs, and we anticipate developing enduring connections with their administrators, coaches, student-athletes, alumni, and supporters.”
The decision to add UCLA and USC was made on June 30, 2022, by the Big Ten’s Council of Presidents/Chancellors (COP/C), followed by the approval of Oregon and Washington on August 4, 2023. The four universities officially joined the conference on August 2, 2024.
As members of the Association of American Universities, these institutions also join the Big Ten Academic Alliance, which fosters collaboration through shared resources such as a high-speed fiber optic network, leadership programs, and library access.
In terms of athletics, the new members bring a wealth of success: collectively, they have secured 302 NCAA team championships and contributed 49 Olympians to Team USA for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Their football programs alone account for 10 Heisman Trophies, 73 College Football Hall of Famers, 41 Rose Bowl victories, and 173 first-round NFL draft picks, including six for this year.
The University of Oregon, a top-tier research institution, has achieved 38 national championships across various sports. UCLA, recognized as the top public university in the U.S. for seven consecutive years, holds 123 NCAA championships, the second highest nationally. USC, a leading private research university, has won 113 national titles. The University of Washington, known for its research prowess and innovative programs, boasts national championships in multiple sports and regularly ranks among the top institutions in the nation.
