Quick Facts
- What: 2026 Players Era Men's Basketball Championships (Players Era 8 + Players Era 16)
- When: Players Era 8: November 17-19; Players Era 16: November 24-28, 2026
- Where: Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay (both tournaments); T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas Strip (Players Era 16 opening rounds)
- Tickets: On-sale dates to be announced; check Players Era's official site for updates
- Worth knowing: All 37 games across both tournaments broadcast exclusively on ESPN family of networks under a new multi-year deal
The Fields
Look at who‘s in this thing. Florida, the defending national champion, comes in ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s Way Too Early Top 25. Michigan, the 2025 champion and No. 3 in those same rankings, is in the Players Era 16. 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). Plus Kansas, TCU, and Texas Tech.
Combined across both fields, these programs went 55-25 in the NCAA Tournament over the past two years. Thirteen of these teams made the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Players Era CEO Seth Berger called it “the strongest field outside of March,” and from a pure résumé standpoint, he’s not wrong.
The Players Era 8 tips off November 17 with matchups that have real juice: Florida against Notre Dame, Houston against Rutgers, West Virginia against Auburn, and Kansas against UNLV. That last one is going to have a crowd, given it‘s happening in Vegas with UNLV on the floor. Semifinals follow on November 18, championship on November 19.
The Players Era 16 opens November 24 with all eight first-round games across both brackets. Michigan draws Creighton. Tennessee gets Maryland. Gonzaga faces Kansas State. Baylor against Alabama is a heavyweight collision right in the opening round. Then there’s a full day off November 25 before Thanksgiving Day action resumes with semifinals and consolation games. Bracket championships happen November 27, and the whole thing ends with the title game at Michelob ULTRA Arena on November 28.
T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
The Players Era 16 uses both venues. T-Mobile Arena seats around 20,000 and sits right on the Strip between Park MGM and New York-New York. Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay caps around 12,000 — the 2018 renovation sharpened the sightlines and the sound. It‘s home to the Las Vegas Aces and has hosted everything from Floyd Mayweather fights to Taylor Swift. Both are MGM Resorts properties.
Dan Bernbach, MGM Resorts’ Senior Vice President of Content Development, pointed to Las Vegas as the ideal stage for this level of college basketball.
ESPN's 37-Game Commitment
All 37 games — every consolation game, every bracket semifinal — go on the ESPN family of networks under a new multi-year deal. Michigan won the 2025 Players Era championship and then won the national title. The 2024 edition featured half the teams that reached the Elite Eight and Final Four, including national runner-up Houston. Check the ESPN college basketball schedule closer to November for broadcast times.
Ticket on-sale dates haven't been announced yet. The T-Mobile Arena event calendar and Michelob ULTRA Arena's venue page will be the places to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the Players Era Men's Championships being held in 2026?
The Players Era 8 is at Michelob ULTRA Arena at Mandalay Bay (November 17-19). The Players Era 16 uses both T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena (November 24-28), with the championship game on November 28 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
How many games are in the 2026 Players Era Men's Championships?
There are 37 total games across both tournaments — the eight-team Players Era 8 and the 16-team Players Era 16.
Where can I watch the Players Era Men's Championships on TV?
All 37 games broadcast exclusively on the ESPN family of networks under a new multi-year agreement.
When do Players Era 2026 tickets go on sale?
Ticket on-sale dates haven't been confirmed yet. Monitor the Players Era official site and MGM Resorts venue pages for that information.
Is UNLV playing in the Players Era 8?
Yes. UNLV is in the Players Era 8 field, matched up against Kansas in the opening round on November 17 at Michelob ULTRA Arena.
Event Information
Michelob ULTRA Arena
Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
- Tue, Nov 17, 2026 – Thu, Nov 19, 2026
- Tue, Nov 24, 2026 – Sat, Nov 28, 2026
3950 S Las Vegas Blvd • Las Vegas, NV 89119 View map →
