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.
Northern Illinois accepts invitation to Horizon League for basketball, most other sports
Northern Illinois accepted an invitation to join the Horizon League in basketball and most other sports except football on Thursday. The Huskies are set to become the league's 12th member and compete in 14 of its 19 sports starting with the 2026-27 academic year.
14 Northern Illinois University sports programs joining the Horizon League
Warriors center Quinten Post dropped a sarcastic one-liner about teammate Steph Curry's 56-point performance in Golden State's win over the Orlando Magic on Thursday night. Stephen Curry remains the best shooter of all time.
Northern Illinois non-football sports join new conference, with 2 exceptions
Northern Illinois football is headed to a new conference, and so are most of their non-football sports. It's the latest step in realignment.
Northern Illinois accepts invitation to Horizon League for basketball
Northern Illinois accepted an invitation to join the Horizon League in basketball and most other sports except football on Thursday. The Huskies are set to become the league’s 12th member and compete in 14 of its 19 sports starting with the 2026-27 academic year.
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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