North Dakota State has reached an agreement to join the Mountain West as a football-only member starting in fall 2026. The program, transitioning from FCS to FBS, will pay a $5 million fee to the NCAA and an estimated $10 million entry fee to the Mountain West.

This move signals one of the most significant FCS-to-FBS transitions in recent history. North Dakota State has clinched 10 national championships since 2011, with its latest victory in 2024, and they hold a 9-5 record against FBS teams, featuring five wins over power conference schools.

The decision aims at propelling the program to the highest competitive level under the direction of athletic director Matt Larsen and outgoing university president David Cook, who is transitioning to Iowa State University as president on March 1.

Larsen conveyed last month that there is ongoing interest in pursuing FBS membership, stating, “I would say in terms of our position, I think both myself and president Cook, we want to play at the highest level. The things we’ve accomplished over the last decade position us to explore this opportunity.”

Efforts to finalize this transition gained momentum in recent discussions among Mountain West leadership and North Dakota State officials. The conference recently announced new media rights agreements through the 2031-32 season and is preparing for the exits of several programs that are joining a reformed Pac-12 next fall.

North Dakota State will undergo a two-year transition period at the FBS level, making the program ineligible for the College Football Playoff and bowl games in 2026 and 2027. However, they could still accept a bowl invitation if slots remain available due to a lack of qualified teams.