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.
Willis scores 17, Western Michigan takes down Northern Illinois 74-70
Led by Chansey Willis Jr.'s 17 points, the Western Michigan Broncos defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies 74-70
Northern Illinois non-football sports join new conference, with 2 exceptions
Northern Illinois’ non-football sports are joining the Horizon League, per Action Network. There are two exceptions, as wrestling and gymnastics aren’t represented in the Horizon. The move is pending approval of the school’s board.
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 to move non-football programs to Horizon League in 2026
Northern Illinois’ board previously authorized $2 million for an entrance fee to join the Mountain West in football. The Mountain West will pay the Huskies an incentive payment to join the ...
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.
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.
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.
Bowling Green at Northern Illinois odds, tips and betting trends - March 4
The Bowling Green Falcons (13-16, 7-9 MAC) will try to build on a three-game win streak when they hit the road to take on the ...
The Vindicator2d
Northern Illinois could be a test case for the future
The world of college athletics has been changing for the last several years, and for a time, it looked like the Mid-American Conference was safe from realignment. That changed when Northern Illinois ...
FOX 32 Chicago on MSN6d
Northern Illinois set to make conference move for Olympic sports, documents say
After opting to join the Mountain West Conference in football only, Northern Illinois athletics is set to make another ...
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, tips and betting trends - March 1
The Northern Illinois Huskies (5-23, 1-14 MAC) will host the Western Michigan Broncos (10-18, 7-8 MAC) after losing four home ...
Sports Illustrated7d
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 ...
The New York Times7d
Northern Illinois plans to move non-football programs to Horizon League in 2026
Northern Illinois’ board previously authorized $2 million for an entrance fee to join the Mountain West in football. The Mountain West will pay the Huskies an incentive payment to join the ...
Football Scoop on MSN1d
Source: Northern Illinois makes new coordinator hire
Connolly spent the past two seasons coordinating special teams and coaching the outside backers before Ball State parted ways ...
The Telegraph on MSN2d
Northern Illinois sweeps SIUE in baseball doubleheader
Northern Illinois University defeated SIUE in a baseball doubleheader, winning 5-4 and 8-4, with a comeback in Game 1.