The Braves compete as members of Conference Carolinas (CC) for all but one of their 16 varsity sports.

The exception, football, has competed in the Mountain East Conference (MEC) since 2020–21.

Before the Braves' move to CC, they had also been a member of the MEC in indoor track & field, swimming & diving, and wrestling since 2019–20.

[2] In July 2021, UNCP re-joined CC after an absence of nearly 30 years.

Due to its heritage as an institution founded for the benefit of American Indians and support from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, the school has largely been immune to the ongoing controversies related to American Indian-themed nicknames and mascots.