Mid-American Conference announces it will move to a 9-game conference schedule beginning in 2028

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Mid-American Conference announces it will move to a 9-game conference schedule beginning in 2028

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The Mid-American Conference announced Tuesday that its institutions will transition to a nine-game conference football schedule starting in the 2028 regular season. The change was formally approved by the MAC Council of Directors of Athletics as member schools evaluate evolving college sports competitive and media landscapes. Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher stated that the structural shift aims to elevate national broadcast exposure while preserving meaningful non-conference opportunities and traditional regional rivalries. Under the updated framework, each MAC program will play three non-conference games annually instead of four. Conference administrators are currently structuring the specific rotational models, focusing on geographic rivalries, competitive balance, travel logistics, and equitable home-game hosting opportunities. League officials highlighted that expanding intra-conference inventory will strengthen national television partnerships and media rights valuations. The decision aligns the MAC with other major NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision conferences moving toward expanded league schedules to enhance overall strength of schedule evaluation for postseason selection.

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The Mid-American Conference announced Tuesday that its institutions will transition to a nine-game conference football schedule starting in the 2028 regular season. The change was formally approved by the MAC Council of Directors of Athletics as member schools evaluate evolving college sports competitive and media landscapes. Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher stated that the structural shift aims to elevate national broadcast exposure while preserving meaningful non-conference opportunities and traditional regional rivalries. Under the updated framework, each MAC program will play three non-conference games annually instead of four. Conference administrators are currently structuring the specific rotational models, focusing on geographic rivalries, competitive balance, travel logistics, and equitable home-game hosting opportunities. League officials highlighted that expanding intra-conference inventory will strengthen national television partnerships and media rights valuations. The decision aligns the MAC with other major NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision conferences moving toward expanded league schedules to enhance overall strength of schedule evaluation for postseason selection.

Published 2026-09-15 16:35:53 UTC · Published by JQJO

Prepared by Noormahi M. · AI assisted

More context

Timeline

On November 30 2023 MAC announced adding UMass as full member
On February 27 2024 UMass accepted invitation joining for 2025 season
On March 01 2024 Conference began evaluating long-term football scheduling options
On March 15 2024 Media rights discussions emphasized internal matchup inventory value
On September 24 2024 Athletics Directors evaluated initial nine-game proposal model
On November 12 2024 Member institutions reviewed preliminary travel impact reports
On February 15 2025 MAC governance reviewed updated television contract opportunities
On September 15 2026 Council of Directors approved nine-game model
On September 15 2026 Jon Steinbrecher released official statement on transition
On March 1 2027 Conference plans to finalize complete team rotation schedule models.
On September 1 2028 Regular season opens featuring mandatory nine conference games implementation.

Why it matters

Immediate US impact: MAC programs must adjust existing future non-conference game contracts. Possible long-term US impact: Increased intra-conference television inventory boosts league media rights valuations. Most affected groups: MAC athletic departments, college football student-athletes, and regional fans. Reader priority: Track how member schools cancel or reschedule non-conference games.

Coverage notes

Left: Evidence was insufficient. Center: Focuses on league administration statement, broadcast rights, and scheduling. Right: Evidence was insufficient.