James Madison University Athletics to Join American Conference in 2028

Madison, WI, October 12, 2026 — James Madison University (JMU) has announced its intention to leave the Sun Belt Conference and become a member of the American Athletic Conference (the American). The move is slated to occur in 2028, marking a significant shift in the university’s collegiate athletic landscape.

The decision means that JMU’s sports teams will compete in a new conference alignment beginning in the 2028-2029 academic year. The specific details regarding the exact date of departure from the Sun Belt and the commencement of competition in the American Conference were not provided in the summary. The university has been a member of the Sun Belt Conference, competing across various NCAA Division I sports.

The American Athletic Conference, often referred to as the American, is a collegiate athletic conference that sponsors competition in numerous sports. Its member institutions are primarily located in the Eastern and Southern United States. This upcoming transition for James Madison University is a strategic move that will place its athletic programs within a different competitive and media environment.

Further information regarding the implications of this conference realignment, including schedules, championship opportunities, and potential impacts on specific sports programs, is expected to be released as the transition date approaches. The exact timeline for when JMU will cease competition in the Sun Belt and officially begin its tenure in the American Conference remains set for 2028.

Story summarized from the original created by Google News on news.google.com, see more information here.