The MAC has 13 football members in 2026. Sacramento State joined as a football-only member after moving up from the FCS, replacing Northern Illinois, which left for the Mountain West after 80 years in the league. The Hornets are more than 2,000 miles from every other member. MAC games fill the famous Tuesday and Wednesday night November television windows.
2026 college football
Every MAC football team
13 members, alphabetical, with nickname and state.
AkronZips
OH
Ball StateCardinals
IN
Bowling GreenFalcons
OH
BuffaloBulls
NY
Central MichiganChippewas
MI
Eastern MichiganEagles
MI
Kent StateGolden Flashes
OH
Miami (Ohio)RedHawks
OH
OhioBobcats
OH
Sacramento StateHornets
CA
ToledoRockets
OH
UMassMinutemen
MA
Western MichiganBroncos
MI
Membership is for the 2026 season, effective July 1, 2026, and is updated when realignment changes it.
MAC Football at a Glance
| Members in 2026 | 13 |
| Subdivision | FBS, outside the Power Four |
| Championship game | Early December 2026 |
Related
Every FBS team by conference · College football standings · AP Top 25 · College football TV schedule · FCS teams by conference
2026 membership as listed in ESPN’s 2026 realignment guide.