It’s time for the 2025 Players Era Festival schedule preview and more for you. This is the expanded, $20 million-plus showcase that’s turning Las Vegas into “November Mania” for those who enjoy big-time college basketball before Santa. After last year’s eight-team debut (where Oregon edged Alabama for the title), this year’s 18-team field increases the stakes to another level at MGM Grand Garden Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena. Every team pockets $1 million just for showing up, with an extra $1 million bonus for the champion to split in NIL deals. We have the matchups, tipoff times, and TV broadcasts for you for the tournament below.
How Does the 2025 Players Era Festival Schedule Work?
The 2025 Players Era Festival schedule is not a traditional bracket tournament. Teams play two preset games on Nov. 24-25, then crossover matchups on Nov. 26-27 based on records (think international soccer-style placement games). With 14 NCAA Tournament teams from last season and 11 preseason top-25 contenders, this could shake up the early rankings big time by the time the tournament is over. Every game airs on TNT, truTV, or streams on Max.
2025 Players Era Festival Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Here’s the 2025 Players Era Festival schedule for you. All times are listed in Eastern Time. Please note, the game times and assignments start to get more fluid as we get deeper into day 2. We’ll update you here on changes.
Monday, November 24
- 10:00 a.m. – Tennessee vs. Rutgers (truTV)
- 12:30 p.m. – Kansas vs. Notre Dame (truTV)
- 3:00 p.m. – Houston vs. Syracuse (TNT)
- 6:30 p.m. – Alabama vs. Gonzaga (TNT)
- 9:00 p.m. – Maryland vs. UNLV (TNT)
Tuesday, November 25
- 10:00 a.m. – Oregon vs. Auburn (truTV)
- 12:30 p.m. – San Diego State vs. Creighton (truTV)
- 3:00 p.m. – Michigan vs. Baylor (TNT) → moved to headline slot in some listings
- 6:30 p.m. – Gonzaga vs. Maryland (TNT)
- 9:00 p.m. – Alabama vs. UNLV (TNT)
- Additional games (St. John’s vs. Iowa State, Kansas vs. Syracuse, Houston vs. Tennessee, etc.) slotted throughout the day – full session times at playersera.com
Wednesday, November 26 – Placement games begin (records determine matchups)
Thursday, November 27 (Thanksgiving)
- 7:00 p.m. – Third-Place Game (truTV)
- 9:30 p.m. – Championship Game (TNT)
Top Matchups to Circle During the Players Era Festival
Houston vs. Syracuse (Mon, 3:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Currently ranked #2 Houston brings Kelvin Sampson’s hard-core D and LJ Cryer’s scoring. Syracuse counters with J.J. Starling and a revamped zone. Early upset alert.
Alabama vs. Gonzaga (Mon, 6:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
Two of the nation’s fastest tempos collide. Mark Sears vs. Ryan Nembhard could be a 90-88 classic.
Michigan vs. Baylor (Tue, 3:00 p.m. ET, TNT)
Dusty May’s new-look Wolverines against Scott Drew’s Bears. Big Ten vs. Big 12 bragging rights on the line.
Oregon vs. Auburn (Tue, 10:00 a.m. ET, truTV)
Defending Players Era champs (Oregon) meet Johni Broome and the Tigers. Early tip, huge implications.This festival is definitely a tournament resume goldmine and an NIL jackpot. Wins here will echo into March Madness and beyond. Check our full 2025-26 In-Season Tournament Hub for every early season tournament that you might wanna watch.
