What Does This Mean for Sacramento State?
The Hornets will officially join the MAC on July 1, 2026, and will play a 12-game schedule that season with eight MAC conference games and four non-conference games. We will compete alongside 12 other football-playing schools including Akron, Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, UMass, Miami, Ohio, Toledo, and Western Michigan.
A key factor in this decision is the MAC's television contract with ESPN networks, ESPN+, and CBS Sports Network. The national broadcast exposure will significantly amplify Sacramento State's visibility and brand recognition across the country.
This move is for football only – our other NCAA Hornets will join the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026, as previously announced. Sacramento State students will continue to receive free admission to all home regular-season events.
How Will This Transition Be Funded?
Student fees and tuition dollars will not be used for conference entry fees. The funding will primarily come from game guarantees—contracts where one school pays another to play at their home venue. As a MAC member, our game guarantee value is significantly higher than as an FCS school. Additional funding will come from football revenue, corporate partnerships, and ticket sales. Starting this upcoming season, Sacramento State Athletics will have access to pouring rights, merchandise, parking revenue, and food and beverage revenue for the first time. Again, Sacramento State will not use state funds to pay for the move to the MAC. We are also pleased to share that starting in 2027, 15% of all revenue from football will go to Academic Affairs.
The university is actively finalizing the evaluation of a new stadium at Cal Expo. In the interim, we are readying our current stadium to be FBS-ready for 2026. This represents a temporary upgrade, as our on-campus stadium is comprised of temporary stands that are near the end of their practical use.
This announcement represents a transformational moment for Sacramento State Athletics and positions our university for unprecedented growth and visibility while strengthening our ties to the Sacramento region and beyond. Our Hornets will compete on the national stage, bringing enhanced exposure to our university, our students, and our community. This move is about elevating Sacramento State's profile and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field.
I look forward to celebrating this exciting chapter with all of you as we prepare for the 2026 season.
Stingers Up!
