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 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.
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.
How Northern Illinois settled on joining the Horizon League for most sports
The NIU Board of Trustees on Thursday approved $1.4 million to pay the entrance fee to join the Horizon League, effective July 1, 2026. The move will officially end NIU’s run as a full member of
Northern Illinois Intends Jump to Horizon League for All Non-Football Teams
The Northern Illinois University Huskies plan to shift all non-football programs, including basketball, from the Mid-American Conference to the Horizon League in 2026. The move is pending a vote from the school's Board of Trustees Thursday.
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.
14 Northern Illinois University sports programs joining the Horizon League
JB Pritzker’s administration vastly underestimated the cost and attraction of a pair of controversial programs that provide state-funded health insurance for immigrants who are not citizens, according to an audit report released Wednesday.
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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Northern Illinois to join Horizon League for non-football sports
“We are thrilled to welcome Northern Illinois University into #OurHorizon in a major move for our League and member institutions,” Horizon League Commissioner Julie Roe Lach said via press ...
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Northern Illinois plans 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, pending a Board of Trustees vote on Thursday. The move is the result of NIU recently ...
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NIU to join Horizon League in 2026
Northern Illinois University will join the Horizon League as a full member with 14 sports set to begin competition in the ...
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Robert Morris, Horizon League Will Welcome New Member in 2026
Robert Morris and the rest of the Horizon League will welcome in a 12th member to the conference in 2026. Northern Illinois ...