Loaded field set for Players Era tourney in Las Vegas

Defending national champion UCLA and runner-up South Carolina headline a loaded field for the 2026 Players Era Women's Basketball Showcase set for Dec. 19-20 in Las Vegas.

Fellow Final Four participant Texas along with Duke, Southern California and Notre Dame are also participating in the six-game event at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, airing on ESPN and ESPN2.

The Bruins defeated Texas 51-44 in the national semifinals before beating South Carolina 79-51 to capture the program's first national title last season.

In Las Vegas, UCLA will have rematches with the Gamecocks at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 19 and the Longhorns at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 20.

"We're happy to be back in the Players Era Women's Championship for another year," Bruins coach Cori Close said. "We're excited for rematches with South Carolina and Texas, and the opportunity to play some elite competition at this exceptional event. It will be the premier non-conference tournament and have a lot of eyeballs with some great programs going head-to-head. We're honored to be back!"

The rest of the schedule (all times ET):

Dec. 19:

--Duke vs. Texas, 6 p.m.

--Notre Dame vs. Southern California, 11 p.m.

Dec. 20:

--Notre Dame vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m.

--Southern California vs. Duke, 10 p.m.

--Field Level Media