The Sacramento State Hornets are set to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a football‑only member beginning with the 2026 season, according to a report from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports on Saturday evening. ESPN confirmed Sacramento State’s move soon after.
MAC presidents today approved for the league to move forward with the addition of Sacramento State as a football-only member, sources tell @YahooSports. The school will pay an entry fee of $18 million.
Finalization of the deal is imminent. Hornets will begin play this season.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 15, 2026
Sources: The MAC has voted to formally add FCS Sacramento State into the league as a football-only member starting in 2026. The cost of entrance is expected to be $18 million and a deal is expected to be announced in the upcoming days. pic.twitter.com/SpjPVXJiIt
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 15, 2026
Sacramento State’s move to the MAC is expected to be officially announced in the next few days.
The move is significant for both the Hornets and the MAC as realignment continues to reshape the FBS landscape. The decision elevates one of the Big Sky’s most consistent programs of the past decade into the FBS ranks while giving the MAC a foothold on the West Coast for the first time in its history.
The Hornets, who have reached the FCS Playoffs in three of the past five seasons, will make the transition to FBS competition over the next two years. They will become the 138th member of the FBS, joining North Dakota State, who is moving up to the FBS and Mountain West Conference this fall.
Sacramento State will replace Northern Illinois in the MAC, as the Huskies are moving to the Mountain West. The Hornets will be the 13th member of the MAC, joining returning members Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Miami (Ohio), Ohio, Toledo, UMass, and Western Michigan.
Future Sacramento State Football Schedules