Northern Illinois University has confirmed it will join the Mountain West Conference for football starting in 2026, transitioning from the Mid-American Conference (MAC), which is geographically centered in the Midwest.
The decision places the Huskies into a league where the nearest opponent is situated over 650 miles away in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Alongside the Huskies, teams like Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP, and Wyoming will be part of the Mountain West.
NIU President Lisa C. Freeman expressed optimism about the move, stating it will provide new opportunities for student-athletes and enhance the visibility and reputation of Huskie Football on a national scale as they strive for championships through hard work and integrity.
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez highlighted the appeal of Northern Illinois, noting the program’s history of success and its dedication to academic achievement as significant factors in the decision to welcome the Huskies into the conference.
This transition comes amid a period of reconstruction for the Mountain West, following the departures of prominent schools like Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State, which all moved to the Pac-12 Conference. Additionally, UC Davis and Grand Canyon will also be joining the Mountain West for various sports in 2026.
The Huskies have a long-standing history with the MAC, having participated in the conference across two periods—from 1975 to 1985 and since 1997. Previously, they were part of the Big West Conference in football from 1993 to 1995 and spent some years as an independent team.
Last season, the Huskies finished with an 8-5 record and celebrated a remarkable victory over the then-No. 5 ranked Notre Dame, which marked their first appearance in the Associated Press poll in over a decade.
For the past 20 years, Northern Illinois has been one of the MAC’s premier teams, making 15 bowl game appearances, with a standout performance leading to an Orange Bowl appearance in 2012, guided by star quarterback Jordan Lynch.
Athletic Director Sean Frazier stated that the transition to the Mountain West would have a far-reaching influence on both the athletic department and the university as a whole. He believes fans will benefit from increased competition, better media exposure, and more opportunities through the new conference affiliation.
Currently, it remains uncertain which conferences Northern Illinois’ other sports teams will be associated with once the move occurs. The university mentioned that it has various options within the Midwest and continues to negotiate with the MAC.
MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher acknowledged NIU’s contributions and transparency during this phase of realignment in college athletics. He reiterated that while the MAC would have preferred NIU to stay, they respect the university’s decision, especially as many other Division I institutions have contemplated similar changes lately.
Overall, the MAC maintains confidence in its ability to compete effectively going forward in intercollegiate athletics.
