Sacramento, California – The Mid-American Conference (MAC) has officially accepted Sacramento State as a football-only member, marking a significant step in the program’s history as it transitions from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). This decision opens the door for Sacramento State to compete at the highest level of college football beginning this upcoming season.
Sources indicate that Sacramento State will pay an entry fee of $18 million as part of the agreement. The Hornets’ admission into the MAC is notable, as they become the first university from the West Coast to make this leap in 57 years. The last FCS programs to ascend from the region were Fresno State and San Diego State in 1969.
The Hornets have a storied football history, having started their program in 1954. After spending years in Division II, they joined the FCS level in 1993, where they cultivated a competitive spirit. The anticipation surrounding their jump to FBS underscores the program’s upward trajectory and ambition.
Last season, Sacramento State finished with a 7-5 record, guided by former head coach Brennan Marion, who has since taken a position as offensive coordinator at Colorado. The team performed respectably in Big Sky Conference play, finishing with a 5-3 record, but fell short of a playoff appearance. Following Marion’s departure, the institution appointed Alonzo Carter, who previously held coaching roles at Arizona, to lead the Hornets through this transformative phase.
The MAC’s lineup is now back at 13 football members, with Sacramento State effectively taking the place of Northern Illinois, which moved to the Mountain West Conference earlier. However, geographic considerations will challenge the new member, as the closest MAC institution is Western Michigan, located about 2,000 miles away in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
As it stands, no official schedule for the 2026 season has been released, but the integration of Sacramento State into the MAC is expected to influence upcoming matchups. This addition reflects ongoing changes within college football as programs seek to strengthen their competitive environments through conference realignment.
The move not only redefines the Hornets’ aspirations but also adds a fresh dynamic to the MAC, revitalizing interest in its football programs. Stakeholders are keenly watching how Sacramento State capitalizes on this historic opportunity and adjusts to the challenges ahead in the FBS landscape.