Calling it a “natural extension to the Big 12 footprint,” the Big 12 Conference today unveiled plans for the Big 12 Mexico, the Conference’s first international extension, which initially will see Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and baseball games held in Mexico, with future plans for a college football bowl game.

The Big 12 said five current and future Big 12 Conference campuses — Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas and Texas Tech — are located less than 400 miles away from Mexico, while the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University have campus extensions in Mexico.

The first event is scheduled to be men’s and women’s basketball games between Kansas and Houston in Mexico City’s Arena CDMX in December 2024.

Following that, Big 12 women’s soccer and baseball will participate in exhibitions against clubs from the region.

In addition, the Big 12 said it would “explore establishing a football bowl game in Monterrey, starting in 2026 —  the CFB first bowl game ever held in Mexico.”

"Mexico is a natural extension to the Big 12 footprint, and I'm thrilled to introduce Big 12 Mexico as the Conference's first-ever international presence," Brett Yormark, Big 12 commissioner, said via the Conference.

“Through Big 12 Mexico, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete in an international setting, and our Conference will have the chance to showcase our brand across Mexico."

Mexico City has hosted MLB, NBA and NFL games.

The Big 12 Conference said it would work with Mexico City-based live-entertainment agency Zignia as a co-promotional partner.

Zignia would support with marketing and sales of Big 12 Mexico events, as well as provide the Conference with their depth of resources.

Leading to the launch of Big 12 Mexico and throughout 2023, Fox Sports and ESPN will “help seed the Big 12 product across Mexico and Spanish-speaking communities through their ESPN Deportes (U.S.-based), ESPN Mexico and ESPN on Star+ (Mexico-based channels and OTT service) and Fox Deportes (U.S.-based) channels, which will air select Big 12 football and basketball games.”

In addition, the Big 12 will look to “secure for the first time Spanish radio broadcasts for Big 12 football and basketball Championships in 2023-24 and beyond and will implement a robust Mexico digital strategy.”

Beyond hosting Conference games across multiple sports, Big 12 Mexico will see the Conference “execute a variety of community outreach programming, commercial partnerships, merchandise and activations.”

This includes the Conference partnering with "notable musicians and artists and launching an influencer marketing campaign in the region."

The Big 12 expands from ten to 14 schools on July 1 when BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston officially join. In 2024, Oklahoma and Texas will leave to become part of the SEC.

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