Horizon League, Northern Illinois

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.
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 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 set to join the Horizon League in most sports — besides football — in 2026
The majority of the Northern Illinois athletics department is set to join the Horizon League in 2026, pending approval by the university’s board of trustees Thursday. NIU announced in January that its football team would move to the Mountain West Conference in 2026 after 18 straight seasons and 39 overall in the Mid-American Conference.
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 vote from the school's Board of Trustees Thursday.
Daily Herald1d
How Northern Illinois settled on joining the Horizon League for most sports
The NIU Board of Trustees on Thursday approved $1.4 million to pay the entrance fee to join the Horizon League, effective ...
The New York Times5d
Northern Illinois plans 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, pending a Board of Trustees vote on Thursday. The move is the result of NIU recently ...
Bowling Green faces Northern Illinois following Kohler’s 22-point showing
Bowling Green visits the Northern Illinois Huskies after Paige Kohler scored 22 points in the Falcons' 91-61 victory against the Ohio Bobcats.
Illinois latest state to move to exempt athletes' NIL money from taxes; do other students have a claim?
"The reality is, we're going to collect more tax revenue when Illinois football is successful," says one state representative ...
Western Michigan at Northern Illinois odds, tips and betting trends - March 1
The Northern Illinois Huskies (5-23, 1-14 MAC) hope to end a nine-game losing streak when they host the Western Michigan Broncos (10-18, 7-8 MAC) at 4:30 PM ET on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at NIU ...
College Sports
The neighboring conferences are in the market for media contracts that would start in the summer of 2026. What can they ...