{"id":472721,"date":"2026-02-16T23:05:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T23:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/472721\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T23:05:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T23:05:07","slug":"sacramento-state-football-to-move-up-from-fcs-join-mac-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/472721\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento State football to move up from FCS, join MAC in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Sacramento State Hornets will move up from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in 2026, the school officially announced<\/a> Monday.<\/p>\n

The Hornets will begin competing as a football-only affiliate member of the MAC this fall. Sacramento State has been a member of the Big Sky Conference since the 1996 season.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s exciting announcement is about strengthening our competitive profile and creating value for the membership,\u201d said MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher. \u201cWe were presented with an opportunity to add an institution with demonstrated success in football, a record of investment and commitment to the continued growth of the institution and community.\u00a0 Sacramento State is ready and poised for this next step.\u00a0 I welcome the Hornets to the Mid-American Conference and expect they will become a competitive and contributing member to the long history and legacy of one of the oldest Division I conferences.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sacramento State has won seven conference titles, including Big Sky championships in 2019, 2021, and 2022.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis partnership will immediately strengthen the Mid-American Conference\u2019s competitiveness, and it will provide flexibility for the future,\u201d said Geoffrey S. Mearns, Council of Presidents Chair and President of Ball State University. \u201cIn this period of dynamic transformation, we believe we must be proactive and innovative. This relationship demonstrates the enduring viability of our conference, and it provides our member institutions with additional confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a historic moment for Sacramento State \u2014 a bold leap into the future,\u201d said Dr. Luke Wood, President of Sacramento State. \u201cOur move to the FBS represents more than a change in classification; it is a declaration of who we are and where we\u2019re going. We are elevating our university, our student-athletes, and the entire Greater Sacramento region onto the national stage \u2014 committed to competing, leading, and winning at the highest level.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is bigger than football. It\u2019s about opportunity, visibility, and momentum. It\u2019s about attracting the next generation of students, fueling enrollment and innovation, and building partnerships that will transform Sacramento State for decades to come. Together, we are proving that belief, vision, and hard work can redefine what\u2019s possible.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe extend our sincere gratitude to the MAC Commissioner and the MAC university presidents for their leadership, trust, and confidence in our program. The future is bright, the mission is clear, and the climb continues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a special day for Sacramento State. I am ecstatic for our football student-athletes, coaches, and staff who work so hard to represent our University,\u201d said Sacramento State Director of Athletics Mark Orr. \u201cOur student athletes will now have the opportunity to showcase their talent on the highest level of college football in front of national audiences. I am grateful to Commissioner Steinbrecher, the University Presidents, and all the dedicated staff that played a pivotal role in making this possible. The support for our football program continues to expand, and we are so proud to bring FBS football to Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MAC\u2019s deal with Sacramento State \u2013 now officially announced \u2013 is a 5-year agreement in which the school will take no conference distribution, cover air travel costs of visiting MAC teams and pay $6 million of the $18 million entry fee in Year 1, sources tell @YahooSports<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Key points on SAC to the MAC \ud83c\udfc8<\/p>\n

1. Entrance fee paid by game guarantees, and other football revenue. Football is paying for football. No student fees and no general fund.
2. An estimated economic impact of 975M and national broadcast value of 675M over the next five years.
3.\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/2clo5OIFu8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Dr. Luke Wood (@DrLukeWood) February 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Future Sacramento State Football Schedules<\/a><\/p>\n

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