The University of West Florida Argonauts will transition from Division II to the Football Championship Subdivision, joining the United Athletic Conference effective 2026. The Pensacola-based program is expected to formally announce the move Thursday, according to reports. The Argonauts currently compete in the Gulf South Conference but will make the jump to Division I football competition.
“West Florida’s move from Division II to Division I is expected to be finalized this week,” according to a Yahoo Sports report. The transition will see West Florida join the UAC for football while competing in the ASUN Conference for all other sports. The UAC operates as a football-only partnership between the ASUN Conference and the Western Athletic Conference.
With West Florida’s addition, the UAC would expand to eight football-playing members. The Argonauts would join Abilene Christian, Austin Peay, Central Arkansas, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Tarleton State, and West Georgia in the conference. This expansion comes as the UAC seeks to strengthen its membership following recent departures from the league.
West Florida launched its football program in 2016 and quickly found success at the Division II level. The Argonauts captured the D-II Championship in 2019 and have reached the D-II playoffs in six of nine seasons as a program. The team currently plays at the 6,500-seat PenAir Field in Pensacola but has plans for facility upgrades to support their Division I transition.
Construction is underway on the new Darren Gooden Stadium, which is expected to be completed in fall 2027. The new facility will provide West Florida with enhanced infrastructure to compete at the FCS level. The timing of the stadium completion aligns with the program’s transition period as they adjust to Division I competition.
The move follows a pattern established by other Florida programs that have transitioned through the FCS level. Central Florida, South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Florida International all made similar moves in previous years, with Florida Atlantic reaching as far as a semifinal appearance in 2003 during their FCS tenure. West Florida’s transition represents the latest example of a Florida program seeking to elevate its competitive level.
Academic and athletic integration will be key factors as West Florida prepares for the 2026 season. The program must meet NCAA Division I requirements while maintaining competitive standards in both football and other sports. The dual-conference arrangement allows West Florida to benefit from established relationships within both the ASUN and WAC networks.
The formal announcement is scheduled for Thursday, when university officials will outline the timeline and logistics of the transition. West Florida will have approximately two years to prepare for UAC competition, including recruiting adjustments and facility preparations to meet Division I standards.