Fairfield University accepted an invitation to join the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) as a full member of the conference beginning on July 1, 2027.

The Stags will become the 14th full-membership institution in the CAA with all 19 of Fairfield's NCAA Division I athletic programs set to compete under the CAA banner. "Fairfield University proudly accepts this opportunity to join the Coastal Athletic Association. Thank you to Commissioner Joe D'Antonio, the CAA Presidents, and Athletics Directors, for their confidence in the value of our profile to their membership," said Paul Schlickmann, vice president for athletics. "This decision is indicative of the upward trajectory of Fairfield University as an elite academic institution of national prominence and reflects our continued aspirations to achieve comprehensive competitive excellence in the modern Division I landscape. We are excited to write the next chapter in our University and Athletics history and look forward to being an optimal partner and steward of the CAA brand."

Fairfield University's move to the Coastal Athletic Association will mark the first time all of the school's NCAA-sponsored varsity teams compete in the same conference.

The Stags will move 17 varsity sports from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to the CAA.

Fairfield men's lacrosse has competed as an associate member of the CAA since 2015, and the field hockey team will begin conference play in the CAA in 2026. Fairfield men's rowing, which is not an NCAA-sponsored sport, will remain a member of the Intercollegiate Rowing Association.

Fairfield will remain a full member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference during the 2026-27 academic year and will continue to be eligible for conference championships and automatic bids to NCAA postseason tournaments.

The university will not be eligible to host any MAAC postseason events during the 2026-27 academic year.