NIU football, Mountain West Conference

'Location, location, location': Behind the inspirations for NIU football move to the Mountain West
NIU football's move to the Mountain West Conference was inspired by another major college football realignment move, and it might mean more change is coming for Northern Illinois athletics.
It’s official, NIU football is saying “Good-bye” to the MAC and racing toward the Mountain West Conference
All of the changes we’re seeing in college football from conference realignments to the transfer portal and NIL has forced Northern Illinois University to make a move to keep up or to stay a step ahead.
NIU football officially joins the Mountain West Conference
The university officially announced it would join the Mountain West Conference in a football-only capacity starting in 2026. The move puts the Mountain West Conference at nine teams: NIU, Air Force, Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming.
NIU accepts offer to join Mountain West Conference for football
Northern Illinois University has accepted a formal offer to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member, according to a Board of Trustees agenda item for a meeting scheduled for 1:30
Northern Illinois becomes football-only member of Mountain West, leaving MAC
Northern Illinois confirmed on Tuesday that it is joining the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member.
Mountain West officially adds Northern Illinois as football-only member for 2026 season
The Mountain West Conference will have nine football-playing members for the 2026 season.  Northern Illinois was officially introduced as the latest member of t
Mountain West Conference Announces Northern Illinois as Football-Only Member
The Mountain West Conference on Tuesday announced the addition of Northern Illinois University as a football-only member beginning July 1, 2026.
Northern Illinois football is set to join the Mountain West: Here's what it means for NIU
NIU has agreed to leave the MAC to join the Mountain West in football only and the NIU Board of Trustees will discuss the move this week. Here's what that move means for the Huskies.
Northern Illinois to vote Tuesday on football-only Mountain West invitation
Northern Illinois’ board of trustees will meet Tuesday to discuss and vote on the acceptance of an invitation to join the Mountain West as a football-only member in 2026.
Northern Illinois will join Mountain West as football-only member in 2026
The Mountain West has been rebuilding since Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State agreed to join the Pac-12.
Top MAC football program to join Mountain West
We are extremely pleased to accept the invitation for the Huskie football program to join a prestigious group of universities to compete in the Mountain West Conference. This m
ESPN4d
Northern Illinois to join Mountain West as football-only in '26
"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," ...
CBSSports.com4d
Northern Illinois joins Mountain West: Huskies will compete as football-only member beginning in 2026 season
"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.
Reuters5d
Northern Illinois becomes football-only member of Mountain West
January 7 - Northern Illinois confirmed Tuesday that it is joining the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member. The school hasn't made any decisions on where its other sports will play but ...