Villanova is the latest blueblood CAA Football program to depart.
The Wildcats will join the Patriot League as an associate football member beginning in 2026. Their other sports will remain in the Big East.
“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,” said Villanova Vice President and Director of Athletics Eric Roedl. “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.”
Richmond is making the CAA-to-Patriot-League move as well starting this year, and William & Mary announced last month that it’s also heading to the Patriot in 2026.
Nova has made 10 FCS playoff appearances since 2008, including the 2021 quarterfinals, 2023 quarterfinals, and 2024 second round. The Wildcats won the 2009 FCS national championship.
“The addition of Villanova as our 10th football member represents a significant and exciting moment for the Patriot League,” Patriot League Commissioner Jennifer Heppel said. “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 & 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.”
It’s another move in a tumultuous 2020s for the CAA, once the class of the FCS.
After the CAA lost its top football program James Madison to the FBS following the 2021 season, the conference added Bryant, Campbell, Hampton, Monmouth, and North Carolina A&T, ballooning the football league to 16 members. But those additions have struggled, watering down the standings, which made original members contemplate if the CAA was still the best spot for them.
Last year, Bryant went 0-8 in CAA play, Campbell went 1-7, Hampton was 2-6, Monmouth was 4-4, and NC A&T went 0-8.
In November 2023, Delaware accepted an invite to join the FBS in 2025. In May 2024, Richmond announced it’s heading to the Patriot League in 2025. And in recent months, William & Mary and Villanova made the decision to also join the Patriot in 2026.
“We were recently made aware of Villanova’s decision to leave the CAA Football conference at the conclusion of the 2025 season,” CAA Commissioner Joe D’Antonio said. “While the departure of members is always disappointing, it has become an unfortunate part of the landscape of college athletics during a period of unprecedented change. The administrators, coaches and student-athletes in the CAA remain committed to competing at the highest level of FCS football, achieving multiple playoff bids on a yearly basis and contending for national championships. The CAA has a long history of excellence in FCS football and the desire to build on that tradition has never been stronger.”
CAA movement since 2021
Losses:
JMU
Delaware
Richmond
William & Mary
Villanova
Additions:
Bryant
Campbell
Hampton
Monmouth
North Carolina A&T
In 2026, the Patriot League will expand to 10 teams as Nova joins Bucknell, Colgate, Fordham, Georgetown, Holy Cross, Lafayette, Lehigh, Richmond, and William & Mary.
The CAA will drop to 12 football members: UAlbany, Bryant, Campbell, Elon, Hampton, Maine, Monmouth, New Hampshire, North Carolina A&T, Rhode Island, Stony Brook, and Towson.
