Northern Illinois to Join Mountain West as Football-Only Member in 2026

The Huskies leave the MAC after decades to compete in a reshaped Mountain West, focusing on football while exploring options for other sports.

Northern Illinois University (NIU) confirmed it will join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in 2026.
The decision comes as NIU seeks to enhance its football program's visibility and competitiveness in a changing NCAA landscape.
This move follows significant conference realignment, with several Mountain West teams departing for the revamped Pac-12 in 2026.
NIU has a strong football legacy, including 19 winning seasons since 2000, a historic Orange Bowl appearance in 2012, and an upset over then-No. 5 Notre Dame in 2024.
The university has not yet decided where its other sports will compete but remains in discussions with the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and other regional options.