In a groundbreaking move, the Mountain West Conference has officially welcomed North Dakota State University (NDSU) as a football-only member, starting July 1, 2026. "We are incredibly excited to bring North Dakota State University’s football program into the Mountain West family," expressed MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. "The Bison embody a championship mentality and possess an ambitious vision for growth that perfectly aligns with our commitment to excellence in the Mountain West. Their unwavering focus on enhancing the student-athlete experience—whether on the field, in academic pursuits, or within the community—will invigorate the Mountain West and elevate our football stature across the nation."
Nestled in Fargo, North Dakota, NDSU has a rich history since its establishment in 1890 as a public land-grant research university. It holds the prestigious R1 designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, which recognizes it as a "Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity."
On the competitive front, the Bison have dominated the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), clinching 10 national titles in the last 15 years. During this impressive stretch, they have maintained a remarkable winning percentage of .900, with a record of 198 wins against just 22 losses. Recently, NDSU has been consistently ranked among the top five teams in both the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and AFCA Coaches Poll. Moreover, when facing Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents, the Bison have secured a commendable all-time record of 9 wins and 5 losses.
In terms of player development, North Dakota State has made its mark in the NFL, having produced 13 draft selections over the past decade, three of which were first-round picks.
“This is a momentous occasion for NDSU Athletics,” stated Matt Larsen, the Director of Athletics at NDSU. “Our football team's achievements and the dedication of our student-athletes and coaches throughout history have paved the way for this opportunity. Joining the Mountain West presents an exciting chance for our team to compete at a higher level, for our fans to enjoy games against FBS teams in Fargo, and for Bison football to gain greater visibility through enhanced television exposure.”
As part of its integration into the Mountain West, NDSU will engage in a full schedule in 2026 while embarking on a two-year transition period. During this time, the Bison will not qualify for the MW Football Championship Game or participate in postseason events, including the College Football Playoff or bowl games, until 2028. However, there remains a possibility for NDSU to be invited to a bowl game if there aren’t enough eligible teams nationwide.
The Mountain West Conference is currently restructuring its football scheduling framework to accommodate North Dakota State, with announcements regarding the 2026 schedule expected shortly.
Since its inception in 1999, the Mountain West has been resolute in its aim to excel in collegiate athletics while supporting the educational missions of its member institutions. Central to this initiative is the comprehensive growth of student-athletes, promoting their success not only in sports but also academically and personally. Beginning with the 2026–27 season, the revamped Mountain West will include a diverse membership model that connects full-time, all-sport institutions with select sport-specific members. The all-sport members—encompassing the United States Air Force Academy, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, University of Nevada, Reno, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, University of New Mexico, San José State University, University of Texas at El Paso, and University of Wyoming—will continue to compete across the full spectrum of Mountain West sports, including football. Additionally, the University of California, Davis and Grand Canyon University will join as all-sport members excluding football. Meanwhile, Colorado College (women’s soccer), North Dakota State University (football), Northern Illinois University (football and women’s gymnastics), and Utah Tech University (baseball and men’s swimming and diving) will participate as affiliate members in designated sports.
