Texas A&M University–San Antonio expands athletics with six new varsity teams starting in 2026-27

Athletics expansion will add cross country and track and field for men and women

Texas A&M University–San Antonio is expanding its intercollegiate athletics program with the addition of six varsity teams, launching men’s and women’s cross country along with men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field beginning in the 2026-27 academic year. University officials described the move as the largest single expansion of varsity offerings in the institution’s history.

The new teams are expected to increase the university’s varsity-sport total to 12 and raise the number of student-athletes from more than 130 to nearly 200. The university competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and is a member of the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC).

Facilities investment on the South Side underpins the new programs

The additions come as the university advances construction of new athletics infrastructure on its South Side campus. An eight-lane competition track and a multipurpose field are part of a project supported by a $10 million commitment from Bexar County. The funding package also includes renovation of the existing softball field, with planned upgrades such as a press box, new dugouts and expanded seating.

University leaders have previously framed the athletics buildout as both a campus expansion and a community-facing asset, noting that the venues are designed to support university competition while also accommodating a range of local events and amateur sports activities.

How the expansion fits the program’s short but fast growth curve

Texas A&M–San Antonio is among the newer collegiate athletics programs in the region. The university launched its first official athletics season in 2020-21 and has added sports in phases as enrollment and facilities have grown. Men’s and women’s basketball were announced as additions for the 2024-25 academic year, joining an existing lineup that includes men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf and softball.

On the conference level, the RRAC sponsors championships across a broad slate of men’s and women’s sports, including cross country and outdoor track and field—categories that align directly with the university’s newly announced offerings.

Program operations: participation, scheduling and compliance implications

Adding cross country and track and field can affect roster strategy, training calendars and facility scheduling because the disciplines span multiple competitive seasons and include both team-scoring and individual events. The introduction of indoor track also extends the annual competition window beyond traditional fall and spring segments, potentially increasing travel and operational planning needs.

University officials have positioned the expansion as a step toward broadening student opportunities and strengthening campus engagement, while the parallel facilities development is intended to provide a dedicated home for the new teams and support continued athletics growth.

• New varsity teams start: 2026-27 academic year
• Sports added: men’s and women’s cross country; men’s and women’s indoor track and field; men’s and women’s outdoor track and field
• Conference affiliation: NAIA, Red River Athletic Conference
• Facilities: competition track and renovated softball complex supported by a $10 million Bexar County commitment

The expansion is expected to increase both the number of varsity sports and overall student-athlete participation, with new facilities planned to support the added programs.