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College Conference · NCAA Division I

Horizon League

The Horizon League — the urban-university conference of the Great Lakes, adding Northern Illinois in 2026.
✓ Last reviewed: August 2026
Founded1979
HeadquartersIndianapolis, Indiana

What is the Horizon League?

The Horizon League is a Division I, non-football conference of urban universities around the Great Lakes.[1][2]

Members and sports

Members include Milwaukee, Wright State, Oakland, Youngstown State, Cleveland State, Robert Morris and Northern Kentucky, with Northern Illinois joining for non-football sports in 2026. Butler's Final Four teams and Oakland's tournament upsets came as members.[1][2]

Since when does it exist?

Founded in 1979 as the Midwestern City Conference; the Horizon League name dates to 2001; based in Indianapolis.[1]

Why does the Horizon League matter?

Four decades of Division I basketball with genuine national moments give the league established standing among the country's mid-major conferences.[1]

References

  1. Horizon League — official site. Accessed August 2026.
  2. NCAA — About the NCAA. Accessed August 2026.