Northern Illinois Football Joins Mountain West Conference in 2026

The Northern Illinois University football program will join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member in 2026, expanding the conference to nine teams.

The Northern Illinois University football program is set to join the Mountain West Conference in 2026 as a football-only member, the conference announced on Tuesday. This addition brings the total number of football teams in the Mountain West to nine, with Northern Illinois joining Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP, and Wyoming. As part of the agreement, Northern Illinois will pay a $2 million entrance fee.

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez expressed enthusiasm about the addition of Northern Illinois to the conference. “We are excited about adding the Northern Illinois University football program to the Mountain West,” Nevarez said in a news release. “In evaluating NIU, the MW Board of Directors and Directors of Athletics carefully considered and were impressed by its history of football success and its commitment to academic excellence.”

Northern Illinois athletic director Sean T. Frazier expressed his enthusiasm about the university's football program joining the Mountain West Conference. “What a great opportunity for NIU Athletics as we expand our horizons, adapt to this new national model of college athletics and prepare to start a new chapter in the history of NIU Football,” Frazier said in a news release. He also acknowledged the support of Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez, the conference membership, and NIU President Lisa Freeman throughout the process. “We are grateful to Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the membership of the Mountain West Conference for this invitation and to NIU President Lisa Freeman for her support as we navigated this process.”

Frazier highlighted the far-reaching impact of this move on the university and its athletic department. “The impact of this move to the Mountain West is going to be felt throughout our entire department and university,” he noted. Fans can expect an enhanced experience, with Frazier promising “heightened competition, the media coverage and the additional opportunities the relationship with this conference and these great institutions provide.”

Northern Illinois Football is officially headed to the Mountain West! The Huskies’ preference is to stay in the MAC for all other sports, if allowed. pic.twitter.com/Jk0JrCVQBj

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 7, 2025

The Mountain West Conference is looking to bolster its football presence after suffering significant losses. Recently, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State all departed for the Pac-12, starting this upcoming season. However, the conference has found a promising addition in Northern Illinois, which is coming off an impressive 8-4 season. The Huskies capped off their successful year with a thrilling 28-20 double-overtime victory over Fresno State at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.