Horizon League, Northern Illinois and sports

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 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.
14 Northern Illinois University sports programs joining the Horizon League
Northern Illinois University continues to evolve to keeps its sports programs financially stable during these changing times of college athletics. Thursday, NIU officials announced that 14 of the university’s sports programs will be joining the Horizon League in the 2026-27 school year.
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 to join Horizon League in 2026-2027
Starting in the 2026 academic year, Northern Illinois will be leaving the Mid-American Conference (MAC) to join the Horizon League in all sports except wrestling and gymnastics. They are also set to join the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member.
Northern Illinois to join Horizon League for non-football sports
Just over a month removed from announcing their intention to join the Mountain West in football, NIU find a new conference partner for the majority of its remainder sports.
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.
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 accepts invitation to Horizon League for basketball
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 make conference move for Olympic sports, documents say
After opting to join the Mountain West Conference in football only, Northern Illinois athletics is set to make another conference move this week.
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Robert Morris, Horizon League Will Welcome New Member in 2026
Robert Morris and the rest of the Horizon League will welcome in a 12th member to the conference in 2026. Northern Illinois ...