Villanova University announced this week that its football team would be leaving the Coastal Athletic Association and joining the Patriot League in 2026. The remainder of the Wildcat sports will continue to compete in the Big East Conference, which does not include football as a sponsored sport.
According to Inquirer Sports, Villanova football has called the Coastal Athletic Association, previously the Colonial Athletic Association, home for the past 18 seasons, where they maintained a 10-4 record in the 2024 season.
“This league embodies the finest principles of collegiate athletics, where achievement on the field is matched by excellence in the classroom,” university president Rev. Peter Donohue said. “We are proud to align with such esteemed institutions, forging a new chapter for Villanova football.”
Villanova is not the first CAA team to make the move to the Patriot League. Rivals University of Richmond and William and Mary have also announced a switch.
Patriot League commissioner Jennifer Heppel told ESPN, “The addition of Villanova as our tenth football member represents a significant and exciting moment for the Patriot League. Villanova has consistently demonstrated excellence on the field, establishing itself as a premier FCS football program while also upholding a strong commitment to academic achievement. Combined with the recent additions of Richmond and William and Mary and the continued strength of our current members, this expansion solidifies the Patriot League's standing as one of the strongest in the FCS."
Villanova joins a winning history in the Patriot League, which has seen 10 programs win 17 FCS Playoff games since 2015. With the 2026 expansion, the league plans to send one automatic bid and the league champion to the NCAA D-I FCS.
"We are excited to join a conference where the member institutions share similar values, both athletically and academically," Villanova coach Mark Ferrante said in a statement. "The geographic alignment makes sense for our program and our student-athletes, and we believe this move will foster strong regional rivalries while maintaining our commitment to excellence on and off the field. It's a natural fit that positions us well for the future."
