Players Era hoops tournament expanding to 24 teams

Field Level Media|published: Thu 7th May, 10:42 2026

Nov 26, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) reacts in the second half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the 2025 Players Era Festival championship game at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Players Era men's college basketball tournament is expanding to 24 teams this November in Las Vegas.

An extended version of the event calls for splitting two separate bracket-play tournaments over the course of two weeks.

ESPN reached a multiyear deal to serve as the exclusive broadcast partner, the network announced Thursday. ESPN networks will carry all 37 games of the 2026 event.

"College basketball is the hottest and one of the fastest-growing sports properties in the country," Players Era CEO Seth Berger said. "The players have never been better, and record ratings for early season college basketball reflect that. Led by top programs from multiple conferences across the sport, the teams in our field are stronger than ever. We can't wait to bring March to November with the number one college basketball network in the world, ESPN."

The Players Era Eight will be held the week of Nov. 16 featuring Florida, Houston, Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Rutgers and UNLV.

The Players Era Sixteen will take place during the week of Thanksgiving. Defending Players Era and NCAA Tournament champion Michigan headlines this bracket, joined by Alabama, Gonzaga, St. John's, Louisville, Tennessee, Iowa State, Miami, Texas Tech, Baylor, Maryland, TCU, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State and Kansas State.

"Players Era features elite programs, meaningful competition and high-stakes matchups to start each season," said Dan Margulis, ESPN senior director of college basketball programming and acquisitions. "These tournaments immediately strengthen ESPN's industry-leading college basketball portfolio and underscores our commitment to showcasing the best teams and storylines across the sport. We're excited to partner with the Players Era team to continue to elevate the Players Era Men's Championships and showcase them to fans across the country."

A full release of schedules and venues is expected later in the offseason.

The Wolverines won last November's 18-team Players Era Festival, crushing Gonzaga 101-61 in the championship at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Oregon won the inaugural eight-team tournament in 2024.

--Field Level Media