Northern Illinois is set to join the Mountain West Conference for football only in 2026, as announced by the university and the conference on Tuesday.
The Huskies will transition from the Mid-American Conference (MAC), which is rooted in the Midwest, to a league where the easternmost institution is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Joining Northern Illinois in the Mountain West will be established programs such as Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP, and Wyoming.
NIU President Lisa C. Freeman expressed optimism about this change, stating, “This move will open new opportunities for our student-athletes, expand the reach and strengthen the national brand of Huskie Football as they represent NIU and compete for championships the hard way, and the right way.”
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez noted that NIU’s “history of football success and its commitment to academic excellence” were significant factors in their invitation.
Over the years, Northern Illinois has enjoyed a rich history in the MAC, participating for 39 seasons across two periods: from 1975 to 1985 and then again since 1997. The university also had a brief stint in the Big West Conference from 1993 to 1995 and operated independently during several years in the late 1980s and mid-1990s.
For two decades, the Huskies have consistently ranked among the top performers in the MAC. They have participated in 15 bowl games during this time, with the highlight being their appearance in the Orange Bowl in 2012, led by standout quarterback Jordan Lynch.
As for the other sports teams at Northern Illinois, their future conference affiliations starting in 2026 remain uncertain. The university has stated that it is exploring “multiple options” with various Midwest conferences while continuing discussions with the MAC.
