11 Schools•Division I•Est. 2023
The United Athletic Conference (UAC), also known as "The United", is an intercollegiate athletic conference formed in 2023 for football, originating as an alliance of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) football programs. Members compete in NCAA Division I FCS across Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
The UAC operated for three seasons as a football-only conference (2023-25), with its final two featuring a full eight-game round-robin schedule and a conference champion earning an automatic FCS playoff qualifier. Commissioner Jeff Bacon has led the league since 2023, succeeding Brian Thornton.
On July 1, 2026, the UAC ceases to exist as a football-only body. The Western Athletic Conference will rebrand as the UAC and operate as a full multisport Division I conference, retaining the WAC's NCAA recognition and championship status. Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and UT Arlington join the five ASUN football institutions. Southern Utah and Utah Tech depart for the Big Sky Conference.
Official Website
The United Athletic Conference (UAC), also known as "The United", is an intercollegiate athletic conference formed in 2023 for football, originating as an alliance of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) football programs. Members compete in NCAA Division I FCS across Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.
The UAC operated for three seasons as a football-only conference (2023-25), with its final two featuring a full eight-game round-robin schedule and a conference champion earning an automatic FCS playoff qualifier. Commissioner Jeff Bacon has led the league since 2023, succeeding Brian Thornton.
On July 1, 2026, the UAC ceases to exist as a football-only body. The Western Athletic Conference will rebrand as the UAC and operate as a full multisport Division I conference, retaining the WAC's NCAA recognition and championship status. Abilene Christian, Tarleton State, and UT Arlington join the five ASUN football institutions. Southern Utah and Utah Tech depart for the Big Sky Conference.
Official Website