The Big 12 has announced a delay in the launch of its Big 12 Mexico initiative, originally scheduled to begin this December, with a new target date of 2025.
Last June, the conference unveiled plans to host basketball, women’s soccer, and baseball games in Mexico, starting with matchups between Kansas and Houston in men’s and women’s basketball at Mexico City’s Arena CDMX. Additionally, the Big 12 intended to explore the establishment of a football bowl game in Monterrey, slated to begin in 2026, marking the first-ever bowl game played in Mexico. The initiative also included women’s soccer and baseball exhibitions against local clubs as part of the conference’s first international extension.
However, the Big 12 has cited a “variety of major initiatives” added to its agenda, particularly the onboarding of four new member institutions: Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, known as the Four Corner schools from the former Pac-12. With Texas and Oklahoma departing for the SEC, these new additions are set to join the Big 12 for the 2024-25 season.
Additionally, the Big 12 has made other significant moves, including hosting its football media days in Las Vegas for the first time, introducing two new sports—women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball—for the 2024-25 season, and relocating its headquarters to Dallas. These developments occurred after the initial announcement of the Big 12 Mexico initiative, prompting the league to prioritize attention to these new endeavors before proceeding with its plans in Mexico.
Despite the delay, the Big 12 remains committed to building its brand in Mexico through its broadcast partners and expresses continued enthusiasm about bringing Big 12 events to the country, as stated by Commissioner Brett Yormark.