Northern Illinois to join Horizon League in 2026

As football heads west, Northern Illinois to join Horizon League in 2026
Northern Illinois, a longtime member of the Mid-American Conference, is joining the Horizon League for most of its sports offerings starting with the 2026-27 academic year. That includes men's and women's basketball, which will increase the Horizon League's basketball pools to 12 schools.
Northern Illinois' other sports join new league after football ditched the MAC
When Northern Illinois football left the Mid-American Conference for the Mountain West in January, many wondered what would happen to the rest of the school’s athletic programs. That question has been answered.
How Northern Illinois settled on joining the Horizon League for most sports
The NIU Board of Trustees on Thursday approved $1.4 million to pay the entrance fee to join the Horizon League, effective July 1, 2026. The move will officially end NIU’s run as a full member of
14 Northern Illinois University sports programs joining the Horizon League
Northern Illinois University continues to evolve to keeps its sports programs financially stable during these changing times of college athletics. Thursday, NIU officials announced that 14 of the university’s sports programs will be joining the Horizon League in the 2026-27 school year.
Northern Illinois accepts invitation to Horizon League for basketball, most other sports
Northern Illinois has accepted an invitation to join the Horizon League in basketball and most other sports except football.
Northern Illinois Intends Jump to Horizon League for All Non-Football Teams
The Northern Illinois University Huskies plan to shift all non-football programs, including basketball, from the Mid-American Conference to the Horizon League in 2026. The move is pending a vote from the school's Board of Trustees Thursday.
Horizon League to adopt Northern Illinois as new member
The Cleveland State men’s and women’s basketball programs will have new competition in the Horizon League next season. The Horizon League is making Northern Illinois University a new member of the conference,
Northern Illinois to join Horizon League in 2026-2027
Starting in the 2026 academic year, Northern Illinois will be leaving the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to join the Horizon League in all sports except wrestling and gymnastics. They are also set to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member.
Northern Illinois to move non-football programs to Horizon League in 2026
Northern Illinois will move its basketball and other non-football programs to the Horizon League in 2026, the Board of Trustees approved in a vote Thursday. The move is the result of NIU recently announcing it will join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member in 2026.
Why NIU sees joining the Horizon League — and splitting up its sports — as ‘the right fit and the right time’
In front of a backdrop sporting the Northern Illinois and Horizon League logos Thursday at the NIU Convocation Center, Huskies athletic director Sean Frazier declared a second victory in two months for his department.
Cleveland State basketball will have a new Horizon League opponent next season
The Cleveland State men’s and women’s basketball programs will have new competition in the Horizon League next season. The Horizon League is making Northern Illinois University a new member of the conference,
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