The 2026 Players Era Tournament expands in a major way: the men’s college basketball event grows to 24 teams across two separate brackets in Las Vegas, with millions in NIL prize money on the line. The new format splits into the eight-team Players Era Eight and the 16-team Players Era 16, played at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena and carried across ESPN networks. Below are both brackets, the full fields, and the schedule, with tip times to be announced closer to the event.
Michigan enters as the defending Players Era champion. For the official details, see the Players Era brackets and arena announcement.
Players Era 16 Bracket and Schedule
The Players Era 16 runs Tuesday to Saturday, November 24-28, 2026, split between T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena, with the championship at Michelob ULTRA Arena. It is built as two eight-team brackets; each bracket crowns a champion on Friday, and those two winners meet Saturday for the overall Players Era 16 title. All tip times are to be determined.
| Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Opening Round – Tuesday, November 24 | |
| Tennessee vs Maryland | TBD |
| San Diego State vs Iowa State | TBD |
| St. John’s vs Oregon | TBD |
| Louisville vs Texas Tech | TBD |
| Gonzaga vs Kansas State | TBD |
| Baylor vs Alabama | TBD |
| Michigan vs Creighton | TBD |
| TCU vs Miami (FL) | TBD |
| Wednesday, November 25 | |
| No games scheduled | – |
| Thursday, November 26 – Semifinals | |
| Semifinal 1: Winner (Tennessee/Maryland) vs Winner (San Diego State/Iowa State) | TBD |
| Semifinal 2: Winner (St. John’s/Oregon) vs Winner (Louisville/Texas Tech) | TBD |
| Semifinal 3: Winner (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs Winner (Baylor/Alabama) | TBD |
| Semifinal 4: Winner (Michigan/Creighton) vs Winner (TCU/Miami) | TBD |
| Consolation Games 1-4 | TBD |
| Friday, November 27 | |
| Bracket 1 Championship: Winner Semifinal 1 vs Winner Semifinal 2 | TBD |
| Bracket 2 Championship: Winner Semifinal 3 vs Winner Semifinal 4 | TBD |
| Third, Fifth, and Seventh-Place Games (both brackets) | TBD |
| Saturday, November 28 | |
| Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena) | TBD |
Players Era 8 Bracket and Schedule
The Players Era Eight runs Tuesday to Thursday, November 17-19, 2026 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. It opens with four first-round games, followed by semifinals and consolation games, with the championship on Thursday. All tip times are to be determined.
| Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|
| Opening Round – Tuesday, November 17 | |
| Houston vs Rutgers | TBD |
| Florida vs Notre Dame | TBD |
| West Virginia vs Auburn | TBD |
| Kansas vs UNLV | TBD |
| Wednesday, November 18 | |
| Semifinal 1: Winner (Houston/Rutgers) vs Winner (Florida/Notre Dame) | TBD |
| Semifinal 2: Winner (West Virginia/Auburn) vs Winner (Kansas/UNLV) | TBD |
| Consolation Games 1-2 | TBD |
| Thursday, November 19 | |
| Championship Game | TBD |
| Third-Place Game | TBD |
| Consolation Games 3-4 | TBD |
How to Watch the 2026 Players Era Tournament
ESPN networks are the exclusive home of all 37 games across the two Players Era tournaments. Game-by-game channels and tip times will be released closer to the November tip-off.
Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 Players Era Tournament
When and where is the 2026 Players Era Tournament?
Both events are in Las Vegas. The Players Era Eight runs Tuesday to Thursday, November 17-19, 2026 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The Players Era 16 runs Tuesday to Saturday, November 24-28, 2026, split between T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena, with the championship on Saturday, November 28 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
How does the new 24-team format work?
The 2026 event splits into two brackets: an eight-team tournament and a 16-team tournament. The Players Era 16 is built as two eight-team brackets on opposite sides, with every team playing three games and the two side champions meeting for the title.
Which teams are in the 2026 Players Era fields?
The Players Era Eight features Kansas, Florida, Houston, Auburn, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Rutgers and UNLV. The Players Era 16 features Tennessee, Maryland, Iowa State, San Diego State, St. John’s, Oregon, Louisville, Texas Tech, Gonzaga, Kansas State, Baylor, Alabama, Michigan, Creighton, Miami and TCU.
Who is the defending Players Era champion?
Michigan enters the 2026 event as the defending Players Era champion.
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