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.
On Monday morning, the Mountain West announced it was officially adding NDSU as a football-only member in 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome North Dakota State University’s football program to the Mountain West,” conference commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a press release. “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.”
But this will be a costly move for North Dakota State.
Mountain West Adding North Dakota State
Going to the Mountain West makes plenty of sense for North Dakota State, and it has for a long time. It’s a development NDSU fans have been hopeful for.
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 for the most part. It’s not the eastern-most team (Northern Illinois) or the western-most team (Hawaii) in the league. It’s by far one of the FBS conferences that makes the most sense for the Bison from a travel perspective.
And because of NDSU’s success in the FCS and it’s history of upsetting FBS teams and producing NFL talent, some believe the Bison could be competitive in the league instantly.
One of 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.
How Much Will It Cost For NDSU To Go Up To The FBS?
North Dakota State reportedly has to pay about $17 million to move up to the FBS and join the Mountain West.
The Division I Council increased the fee to jump up to the FBS from the FCS from $5,000 to $5 million in 2023. And ESPN reported NDSU’s entrance fee to the Mountain West will be close to $12 million.
The football attendance requirement to go to the FBS no longer exists, as it was replaced by scholarship requirements.
When Will NDSU Play In The Mountain West?
North Dakota State will begin competing in the Mountain West this year, during the 2026 season.
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.
“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,” NDSU athletic director Matt Larsen said. “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’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.
