COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mountain West Conference today announced the addition of North Dakota State University as a football-only member beginning July 1, 2026.

“We are thrilled to welcome North Dakota State University’s football program to the Mountain West,” said MW Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “The Bison bring a championship mindset and a bold vision for growth that aligns with the unwavering commitment to the excellence of the Mountain West. Their dedication to elevating the student‑athlete experience—on the field, in the classroom, and throughout the community—will energize the Mountain West and help propel our football profile to new heights nationwide.”

Located on the eastern edge of North Dakota, North Dakota State University was founded in 1890 and is a public land-grant research institution located in Fargo. NDSU is designated as a R1 research institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, entitled “Doctoral University: Very High Research Activity.”

On the field, the Bison have won 10 of the last 15 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national titles. In that time, NDSU has registered a .900-win percentage (198-22), while most recently finishing in the top five of the Stats Perform FCS Top 25 and AFCA FCS Coaches Poll. Against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents, the Bison have a 9-5 all-time record.

In the last 10 NFL drafts, North Dakota State had 13 selections, including three in the first round.

“This is a historic day for NDSU Athletics. Our football program has earned this opportunity through the sustained success and leadership of our student-athletes and coaches past and present,” said NDSU Director of Athletics Matt Larsen. “Joining the Mountain West is an exciting new opportunity for our team to compete at the highest level, for our fans to see FBS opponents coming to Fargo, and for Bison football to reach a wider national audience through expanded television coverage.”

North Dakota State will play a full Mountain West schedule in 2026 as it begins its two-year transition process. The Bison will not be eligible for the MW Football Championship Game or postseason play, including the College Football Playoff or a bowl game, until 2028. However, NDSU could be selected for a bowl game if there are not enough bowl-eligible teams nationally.

The MW has begun rebuilding its football opponent matrix to include North Dakota State and the 2026 schedule. These are expected to be announced within the coming weeks.

Since its founding in 1999, the Mountain West has remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence in intercollegiate athletics while advancing the academic missions of its member institutions. Central to that mission is the holistic development of our student-athletes—championing their success not only in competition but also in the classroom and in their personal growth.  Beginning with the 2026–27 season, the new Mountain West will feature a comprehensive membership model that brings together full-time, all-sport institutions alongside select sport-specific members. The Conference’s all-sport members—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 Mountain West portfolio, including football. University of California, Davis and Grand Canyon University will join as all-sport members outside of football, while 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 compete as affiliate members in designated sports.