Players Era, MGM Resorts International, and ESPN announced on May 21 the brackets and arena locations for the 2026 Players Era Men’s Championships. The tournaments will take place in Las Vegas at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, as well as T-Mobile Arena. The Players Era 8 tournament is scheduled for November 17-19, while the Players Era 16 Championship will run from November 24-28.
The events are expected to feature some of college basketball’s top programs. According to organizers, four of the last five national championship winning teams will participate in this year’s tournaments. All games—37 in total—will be broadcast on ESPN networks under a new multi-year agreement.
“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 Seth Berger, CEO of Players Era. “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.”
Dan Bernbach, Senior Vice President of Content Development at MGM Resorts International said: “Players Era has established itself as one of the most prestigious and exclusive college basketball events in the country. Las Vegas is the ideal destination in which to showcase the nation’s top college basketball programs. We look forward to hosting Players Era once again and providing the student-athletes, their families and college hoops fans nationwide with another memorable Las Vegas experience.”
The tournaments include returning national contenders such as Florida (ranked No.1), Michigan (No.3), Alabama (No.8), Tennessee (No.11), Houston (No.12), Louisville (No.15), Iowa State (No.18), St John’s (No.19), Miami (No.21) Gonzaga (No.24) along with Kansas, TCU and Texas Tech among others.
The full schedule includes opening round matchups featuring teams like Houston vs Rutgers; Florida vs Notre Dame; West Virginia vs Auburn; Kansas vs UNLV; 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.
Additional information about ticket sales dates or specific broadcast details will be announced soon.
