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.
Western Michigan visits Northern Illinois after Willis’ 34-point game
Western Michigan visits the Northern Illinois Huskies after Chansey Willis Jr. scored 34 points in the Broncos' 82-73 victory against the Ohio Bobcats.
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.
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 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 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,
Northern Illinois Boat Show returns to Lake County as spring approaches; ‘We sell fun’
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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 ...
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Hearing helicopters in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin this week? Here’s why:
If you’ve heard the sound of helicopters buzzing overhead at night, that’s because the U.S. Army is conducting training this ...
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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.
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Bidding is underway for wintry art works
Spring is on its way, but some northern Illinois artists have frozen the essence of winter for an upcoming art auction.
Koker, Northern Illinois Huskies take on the Kent State Golden Flashes
The Kent State Golden Flashes will take on conference opponent Northern Illinois. The teams play Wednesday for the first time ...
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Northern Illinois vs. Bowling Green March 4 Tickets & Start Time
Tuesday's MAC schedule includes the Northern Illinois Huskies (5-23, 1-14 MAC) meeting the Bowling Green Falcons (12-16, 6-9 MAC) at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Advertisement Article continues below this ...