NDSU’s Move to the Mountain West Conference
North Dakota State University is entering an exciting new era as a football-only member of the Mountain West Conference.
Joining the Mountain West positions NDSU to expand opportunities for student-athletes, strengthen academic and research partnerships and extend the university’s impact across the region and the nation.
2026 Season at a Glance
NDSU will play a 12-game football schedule for the 2026 season, including eight Mountain West Conference games, three non-conference games against FBS opponents and one FCS opponent.
Where to Watch
NDSU will have five games televised on The CW, three games on CBS Sports Network and one game on Fox Sports 1. NDSU’s non-conference game at Sacramento State on Sept. 19 will be televised on ESPN as part of the Mid-American Conference television package.
Additionally, the Mountain West has launched MW+, a new direct-to-consumer digital subscription platform. MW+ will serve as the live streaming home for Mountain West events not available through traditional broadcast partners, including NDSU football games against Fordham and UTEP.
Moving Forward Together
This transition represents an important moment for North Dakota State University, one built on planning, purpose and the strength of its people. As NDSU takes this next step, the university remains grounded in its mission and focused on the students and communities it serves.