Over the past year, Sacramento State has had lofty aspirations of elevating its football program and joining the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of collegiate football in the country.Sacramento State officially left the Big Sky Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at the conclusion of last year. Now, the Hornets football program appears to have succeeded in finding its new home. According to multiple reports, including ESPN, the football program has been accepted into the Mid-American Conference (MAC), with the conference presidents reportedly voting formally to add Sacramento State into the league beginning this year.The move also brings a hefty price tag for the university, as the total cost of entry is expected to cost Sac State $23 million. The move is expected to become official in the coming days, with the Hornets set to be one of 13 programs competing in the MAC.Sacramento State’s other athletic programs are all set to join the Big West conference on July 1, 2026.This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Over the past year, Sacramento State has had lofty aspirations of elevating its football program and joining the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of collegiate football in the country.

Sacramento State officially left the Big Sky Conference of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) at the conclusion of last year.

Now, the Hornets football program appears to have succeeded in finding its new home.

According to multiple reports, including ESPN, the football program has been accepted into the Mid-American Conference (MAC), with the conference presidents reportedly voting formally to add Sacramento State into the league beginning this year.

The move also brings a hefty price tag for the university, as the total cost of entry is expected to cost Sac State $23 million.

The move is expected to become official in the coming days, with the Hornets set to be one of 13 programs competing in the MAC.

Sacramento State’s other athletic programs are all set to join the Big West conference on July 1, 2026.

This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel