North Dakota State fans – and many FCS fanbases – have emphatically called for the Bison to move up to the FBS. That wasn’t going to happen until NDSU received a conference invite.
Yahoo Sports reported Friday night the Mountain West “is in serious dialogue” with NDSU about adding the Bison.
And it may be as soon as this year. But it may also be a costly move.
North Dakota State’s Mountain West Conversations
Going to the Mountain West would make plenty of sense for North Dakota State, and it has for a long time.
The Bison have been dominant on the field at the FCS level for over a decade. They’ve won 10 national championships going back to 2011.
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NDSU has also financially invested in football. The team opened a $54 million performance complex in the last few years.
NDSU would fit in the Mountain West from a skill-level perspective and a geographical perspective.
The main reasons why NDSU hasn’t jumped to the FBS sooner or gotten a conference invite is beyond football. Based in Fargo, North Dakota, NDSU isn’t necessarily in the most appealing media market, for example.
However, Mountain West presidents still reportedly agreed to extend NDSU an invite.
How Much Would It Cost For North Dakota State To Move Up To The FBS?
North Dakota State has to pay $5 million to move up to the FBS after the Division I Council increased that number from $5,000 in 2023.
But Yahoo Sports reported NDSU’s entrance fee to the Mountain West in particular could climb up to eight figures. The exact cost has been negotiated in recent days.
The football attendance requirement to go to the FBS no longer exists, as it was replaced by scholarship requirements.
When Could NDSU Join The Mountain West?
North Dakota State could begin competing in the Mountain West as early as this year, according to Yahoo Sports.
But due to NCAA rules for teams transitioning from the FCS, NDSU wouldn’t be eligible for postseason play like the MW Championship or a bowl game until 2028 if that did happen.
North Dakota State’s Record Against FBS Teams
North Dakota State is 9-5 all-time going up against teams from the FBS, including wins over No. 13-ranked Iowa in 2016, Iowa State in 2014, and Kansas State in 2013.
NDSU Stadium Capacity & Attendance
The Fargodome, where North Dakota State plays, has a capacity of 18,700 for football games. The Bison averaged an attendance of 16,048 during the 2025 regular season, which put them ninth in the FCS.
What Teams Are In The Mountain West?
UNLV, San Jose State, Hawaii, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada, Air Force, UTEP, and Northern Illinois will be in the Mountain West for football in 2026.
Those first seven teams are staying in the Mountain West after five programs jumped to the Pac-12. UTEP will also be leaving Conference USA for the MW this year, and NIU is leaving the MAC.
Mountain West Teams Going To The Pac-12
San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Fresno State are the teams from the Mountain West going to the Pac-12 in 2026.
That means those teams will be competing with Washington State and Oregon State, which stayed in the Pac-12, as well as Texas State, which is leaving the Sun Belt.
