Villanova football will leave the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) to join the Patriot League as an associate member at the start of the 2026 football season.
The program announced the news in a release on Thursday, June 5.
“Villanova looks forward to joining the Patriot League next season as an associate member, aligning with institutions that uphold an unwavering commitment to academic and athletic distinction and the holistic development of student-athletes,” University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D, said in the release. “This league embodies the finest principles of collegiate athletics, where achievement on the field is matched by excellence in the classroom. We are proud to align with such esteemed institutions, forging a new chapter for Villanova Football.”
The Wildcats joined the CAA in 2007, having spent eight seasons in the Atlantic 10 Conference. Villanova went on to win an FCS Championship in 2009. This upcoming season will mark Villanova’s 19th and final season in the CAA.
Villanova is now the fourth team within the last two seasons to depart the CAA, joining the University of Delaware (which moved to FBS), William & Mary, and the University of Richmond.
Currently, the Patriot League is made up of charter members Bucknell University, Colgate University, The College of the Holy Cross, Lafayette College and Lehigh University, as well as associate members Fordham University, Georgetown University and Richmond.
Richmond will play its first season in the Patriot League this upcoming 2025 season.
The Patriot League has never had more than eight schools playing football at one time, and it will now have 10 teams beginning in 2026.
Moving conferences means Villanova will no longer need air travel to get to any conference games. The average length of a Patriot League road trip for Villanova is 175 miles.
“This is an exciting day for Villanova as we accept an invitation to join the Patriot League as an associate member for football beginning in 2026,” Villanova Director of Athletics Eric Roedl said in the release. “We have great respect for the institutions that make up a very competitive FCS conference, and we share in their strong academic missions. The geographic footprint of the Patriot League is a perfect fit for Villanova, and as we get ready to embark on a new chapter for our football program, we remain committed to competing at the highest levels of the FCS and continuing to add to our accomplished history on the gridiron.”
Villanova has had massive success in the CAA over the last two decades. Apart from winning its only FCS Championship while playing in the CAA, the Wildcats have won a share of the CAA Title four times (2023, 2021, 2012, 2009).
Last season, Villanova posted a 6-2 record in the CAA and a 10-4 overall record.
Head coach Mark Ferrante is entering his ninth season in charge of the program, having spent each of those nine seasons in the CAA. Ferrante holds a head coaching record of 57-33 (.633).
“We are excited to join a conference where the member institutions share similar values, both athletically and academically,” Villanova head football coach Mark Ferrante said in the release. “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.”
The Patriot League airs games on ESPN+ compared to CAA using FloSports.
