By JAMES MADDEN
The Players Era Championship will be back next season for its third edition in Las Vegas. With a once again expanded field, it’ll have two different brackets and be played over the course of two weeks in November.
Beginning with the Players Era 8, games will be held from November 17-19 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena and will be followed by the Players Era 16 from November 24-28 at T-Mobile Arena and the Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Players Era brackets are officially out đź‘€
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 21, 2026
The Players Era 8 takes place Nov. 17-19
The Players Era 16 takes place Nov. 24-28 pic.twitter.com/ukJR5DEcxS
“With an even bigger field that features four of the last five national championship winning programs, we’re thrilled to be bringing the Players Era Men’s Championships back to MGM Resorts in Las Vegas, who has been a phenomenal partner and a key part of what makes Players Era events such a first-class experience for players, coaches and fans,” said Players Era CEO Seth Berger in a release. “With the strongest field outside of March, Players Era has consistently delivered an unmatched test to the top programs in the country and this year’s showcase is going to be another powerhouse event. Our continued partnership with MGM Resorts and their world-famous arenas, and new agreement with ESPN, the number one college basketball network in the world, is going to take this year’s events to another level once again and we can’t wait for the games to tip off in November.”
The official schedule for both brackets is listed below.
Players Era 8 | Tuesday-Thursday, November 17-19 at Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 17 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Houston vs. Rutgers
Florida vs. Notre Dame
West Virginia vs. Auburn
Kansas vs. UNLV
Wednesday, Nov. 18 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 – WINNER (Houston/Rutgers) vs. WINNER (Florida/Notre Dame)
Semifinal #2 – WINNER (West Virginia/Auburn) vs. WINNER (Kansas/UNLV)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Thursday, Nov. 19 (All times TBD)
Championship Game
Third-Place Game
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Players Era 16 | Tuesday-Saturday, November 24-28 at T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 24 – Opening Round Games (All times TBD)
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John’s vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (FL)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26 (All times TBD)
Semifinal #1 – WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 – WINNER (St. John’s/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 – WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27 (All times TBD)
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28 (Time TBD)
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
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