Sacramento State Pushes for FBS Conference Spot

University proposes $10 million entry fee to join Mid-American Conference as early as 2026 season.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Sacramento State University is making an aggressive push to join a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference as soon as the upcoming 2026 football season, sources have revealed. The university has proposed paying up to a $10 million entry fee while also forgoing league revenue, which could be up to $2 million, in order to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC).

Why it matters

This move would represent a major upgrade for Sacramento State's football program, which has spent nearly 30 years competing in the FCS-level Big Sky Conference. Joining an FBS conference would provide the Hornets with greater visibility, better resources, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football.

The details

After the NCAA rejected Sacramento State's waiver request to join the FBS as an independent this past summer, the university is now pursuing membership in the MAC, one of the Group of Five FBS conferences. The Hornets will join the FCS Big West Conference in all sports except football this coming summer, leaving their football team as an independent. Sacramento State President Luke Wood has long advocated for the school to make the jump to the FBS level.

  • Sacramento State will join the Big West Conference in all sports except football this summer.
  • The NCAA rejected Sacramento State's waiver request to join the FBS as an independent last summer.
  • Sacramento State President Luke Wood has been pushing for the school to move to the FBS level for several years.

The players

Sacramento State

A public university located in Sacramento, California that currently competes in the FCS-level Big Sky Conference.

Mid-American Conference (MAC)

One of the Group of Five FBS conferences, with member schools such as Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan, and Bowling Green.

Luke Wood

The president of Sacramento State University who has long advocated for the school to move its football program to the FBS level.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The Mid-American Conference is currently considering Sacramento State's proposal to join the FBS conference as early as the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This potential move represents Sacramento State's long-standing ambition to elevate its football program to the highest level of college competition. If successful, it would provide the Hornets with greater national exposure and resources, but would also require a significant financial investment from the university.