The United Athletic Conference
A Collegiate Sports Synthesis: Exploring the formation, evolution, and future of NCAA Division I FCS athletics.
Conference Overview ๐ View Member Teams ๐ฅDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Conference Overview
Formation and Purpose
The United Athletic Conference (UAC), colloquially known as "The United," emerged in 2023 as a strategic alliance primarily for football competition within the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). It represents a significant consolidation, born from the existing football leagues of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The conference aims to streamline competition and enhance the visibility of its member institutions' athletic programs.
Timeline and Evolution
Officially established on July 1, 2023, the UAC's roots trace back to the ASUN-WAC Challenge in 2021, a cooperative effort to ensure FCS postseason qualification. The conference is slated to transition into an all-sports conference in 2026, incorporating a broader range of NCAA-sanctioned sports and inheriting automatic qualifiers for championships, notably in men's and women's basketball.
Geographic Footprint
The UAC's membership spans across several states, reflecting a diverse regional presence. For the 2025 season, member institutions are located in Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. This geographical distribution is central to the conference's operational structure and scheduling.
Historical Context
Genesis: ASUN-WAC Challenge
The foundation of the UAC was laid in 2021 when both the WAC and ASUN, facing challenges in maintaining sufficient football-playing members for automatic FCS postseason qualification, formed the ASUN-WAC Challenge. This partnership, initially dubbed "AQ7," allowed seven teams to compete for a single automatic bid, highlighting the need for greater collaboration among these institutions.
Merger and Rebranding
Following the successful, albeit complex, alliance in 2021 and 2022, the ASUN and WAC football conferences officially merged. Announced in December 2022 and confirmed in April 2023, the new entity was formally rebranded as the United Athletic Conference (UAC). This merger aimed to create a more stable and competitive FCS football environment.
Future All-Sports Vision
A pivotal development occurred on June 26, 2025, with the announcement that the UAC would expand into an all-sports conference effective July 1, 2026. This strategic move involves integrating remaining WAC members and ASUN football members, solidifying the conference's structure and securing NCAA automatic qualifiers across multiple sports. The addition of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from the Ohio Valley Conference further shapes this future landscape.
Member Institutions
Current Football-Only Members
These institutions currently compete under the UAC banner primarily for football, with plans for broader athletic participation in the future.
Future All-Sports Members (Joining 2026)
These institutions are set to become full members of the UAC in 2026, expanding the conference's scope beyond football.
Sponsored Sports
Conference Sponsorship Overview
The UAC will sponsor championship competition in a comprehensive array of NCAA-sanctioned sports. By 2026, the conference will feature 8 men's and 9 women's sports, reflecting a commitment to broad-based athletic development.
Men's Sports Participation
An overview of the men's varsity sports sponsored by UAC member schools, indicating participation levels.
Women's Sports Participation
An overview of the women's varsity sports sponsored by UAC member schools, highlighting participation and future additions.
Athletic Facilities
Campus Venues
Explore the primary athletic venues utilized by UAC member institutions for football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and softball.
Football Championship History
Conference Titleholders
A record of the United Athletic Conference's football champions since its inception.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "United Athletic Conference" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
- The United Athletic Conference officially began in the 2023 season. The year joined reflects when the program joined the UAC or WAC-ASUN Challenge as a whole.
- North Alabama will add men's indoor and outdoor track & field in 2026รขยย27.[31]
- North Alabama will add women's indoor and outdoor track & field in 2026รขยย27.[31]
- Flag football is not currently recognized by the NCAA, but is expected to become part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program in 2026รขยย27.
- Currently part of the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, but expected to become an official NCAA championship sport in 2026รขยย27.
- North Alabama will add flag football in 2026รขยย27.[31]
- UT Arlington will add flag football in 2026รขยย27.[32]
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional athletic conference management, NCAA compliance, or sports analysis consultation. Always refer to official NCAA and conference documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.