The Southeastern Conference announced Friday that Oklahoma and Texas will become members effective July 1, 2025, with competition to begin in all sports for the 2025-26 academic year.
The addition of the Sooners and the Longhorns brings the number of SEC members to 16 beginning July 1, 2025. The conference has twice previously expanded, adding Arkansas and South Carolina in 1991, followed by Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012.
“The presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference are pleased to welcome the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas,” said Jere Morehead, president of the University of Georgia and current president of the SEC. “Both universities are prestigious academic institutions with strong athletics programs similar in tradition, culture and success to our current member universities. We look forward to a productive and successful future together beginning in 2025.”
Oklahoma and Texas submitted requests to the SEC for invitations for membership Tuesday. The conference’s presidents and chancellors unanimously voted 14-0 by videoconference Thursday to extend invitations. Both universities’ Boards of Regents officially accepted the invitations during Friday morning.
“This is an important moment for the long-term future of the Southeastern Conference and our member universities,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said. “Oklahoma and Texas are outstanding academic institutions with two strong athletics programs, which will add to the SEC’s national prominence. Their additions will further enhance the already rich academic, athletic and cultural legacies that have been cultivated throughout the years by our existing 14 members. We look forward to the Sooners and Longhorns competing in our conference starting in the 2025-26 academic year.”
Notably, Texas will be the fifth institution in the SEC to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities, joining Florida, Missouri, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt.
“The Southeastern Conference’s dedication to the success of our member institutions – and our members’ commitment to one another – has produced a sustained level of excellence unrivaled throughout college sports,” Sankey added. “It is the unity and collaboration of our institutions that makes the SEC special, and Wednesday’s decision of the Texas A&M Board of Regents to approve a vote supportive of conference membership for their long-time in-state rival is an example of the overall culture of this Conference. I appreciate the opportunity for our Conference to move forward with a spirit of unanimity.”
The University of Oklahoma, located in Norman, has a student population of approximately 28,000, including the Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City and a Tulsa campus. In athletics, Oklahoma has won 39 national team championships dating back to its first in wrestling in 1936. Its first women’s team national title came in softball in 2000.
The University of Texas, located in Austin, has approximately 51,000 students across 18 colleges and schools. In athletics, Texas has won 58 national team championships dating back to its first in baseball in 1949. Its first women’s team national title came in swimming & diving in 1981.
Also, Texas won the Directors Cup for 2020-21, which is awarded to best overall college sports program. The Longhorns totaled 1,252 points.
Will Texas coming to the SEC hurt LSU’s recruiting in multiple sports, including football, basketball, baseball, and track?
Recruits who now come to LSU from Texas because they want to play in the SEC will be able to stay home and play in the SEC from Austin starting in 2025.
Texas A&M fans are asking the same question about their programs.