The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is set to officially join the Mountain West Conference after confirming its departure from Conference USA. Sources indicate that the transition is expected to take place in 2026, following extensive discussions between UTEP and Mountain West officials. This move is part of a larger trend of conference realignment within college sports, with Mountain West actively seeking to expand its membership. The addition of UTEP comes as the conference aims to bolster its standing in the competitive landscape of college athletics, which has seen significant changes recently, including the potential inclusion of other schools such as Texas State and Northern Illinois.