Sac State athletics to join Big West in all but football in 2026
Sacramento State athletics will be joining the Big West Conference effective July 1, 2026, in everything but football, sources confirmed to CBS Sacramento on Thursday.
On Monday, the NCAA Football Oversight Committee recommended to the Division 1 Council not to support Sacramento State's waiver request to join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football.
Sacramento State currently plays in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The Hornets are still awaiting an official decision from the council on that waiver, which should come next week. If denied, sources say Sacramento State's short-term plan is to remain in the FCS as an independent.
In moving to the Big West, Sac State will likely take UC Davis' spot, which will move to the Mountain West in 2026. The Big West is currently home to Hawaii, Cal Poly, CSU Bakersfield, CSU Fullerton, CSU Long Beach, CSU Northridge, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara..
A formal announcement by Sacramento State is expected on Wednesday.
Sacramento State has been a member of the Big Sky Conference since 1996.
