Sacramento State Joins MAC as Football-Only Member

The California school will pay an $18 million entry fee to the conference and $5 million to the NCAA to move up to the FBS level.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has approved the addition of Sacramento State as a football-only member starting in the 2026 season. Sacramento State, a current Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) program, will pay an $18 million entry fee to the MAC and a $5 million fee to the NCAA to move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.

Why it matters

This move expands the MAC's footprint to the West Coast, making Sacramento State the first university on the West Coast to transition from FCS to FBS in over 50 years. It also comes as the conference sees the departure of Northern Illinois, which is leaving for the Mountain West Conference.

The details

Sacramento State will become the 13th football program in the MAC after the conference presidents approved the addition. The Hornets, who went 7-5 in 2025, will be the first West Coast school to make the FCS-to-FBS jump since Fresno State and San Diego State in 1969. During the 2026-27 academic year, all Sacramento State teams except football will move to the Big West Conference.

  • The MAC presidents approved the addition of Sacramento State on Saturday night.
  • Sacramento State will begin play as a football-only MAC member in the 2026 season.

The players

Sacramento State

A California-based university that is transitioning its football program from the FCS to the FBS level and joining the Mid-American Conference as a football-only member.

Mid-American Conference (MAC)

A NCAA Division I conference that will add Sacramento State as a football-only member starting in 2026.

Northern Illinois

A current MAC member that is leaving the conference to join the Mountain West Conference on July 1.

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What they’re saying

“We still plan to be playing FBS football in 2026. Sacramento State has met every meaningful benchmark for FBS membership, and we believe our university, our students, and the entire Sacramento region deserve major college football.”

— Luke Wood, Sacramento State President (X)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This move by the MAC to add Sacramento State as a football-only member represents the conference's continued expansion and the growing trend of FCS programs transitioning to the FBS level, even if it means being an independent program initially.