Sacramento State to Join MAC Football Conference

The move marks the latest shift in the college sports landscape.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Sacramento State University is set to join the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for football starting in the 2026 season, according to sources. The addition of the West Coast school to the traditionally Midwest-based conference is the latest in a series of conference realignment moves in college sports.

Why it matters

The MAC is one of the top non-Power Five conferences in college football, and the addition of Sacramento State expands the conference's geographic footprint significantly. This move reflects the ongoing shifts in the college sports landscape as conferences look to add new members and solidify their positions.

The details

Sacramento State, located in California's capital city, will become the westernmost member of the MAC, which is primarily composed of schools in the Midwest and Northeast. The Hornets currently compete in the Big Sky Conference for football, but the move to the MAC will provide them with more exposure and potentially better resources as part of a higher-profile conference.

  • Sacramento State is set to join the MAC for football starting in the 2026 season.

The players

Sacramento State University

A public university located in Sacramento, California, that currently competes in the Big Sky Conference for football.

Mid-American Conference (MAC)

A NCAA Division I conference that is considered one of the top non-Power Five conferences in college football, with members primarily located in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The details of Sacramento State's integration into the MAC, including scheduling and revenue sharing, will need to be finalized in the coming months.

The takeaway

The addition of Sacramento State to the MAC is the latest example of the ongoing shifts in the college sports landscape, as conferences look to expand their geographic footprints and solidify their positions in the ever-changing world of collegiate athletics.