A New Era of College Basketball
The 2026 Players Era Men's Championships will unfold in Las Vegas from November 24 through 28, offering a compact but intense showcase of some of the nation's most promising college programs.
Baylor's men's basketball team is slated to open the tournament against Alabama on November 24, marking the first meeting between the two schools since 2022 and the tenth overall in their historic series.
All 37 games will be carried on the ESPN family of networks, guaranteeing broad national exposure and allowing fans to follow every moment of the action.
The field consists of 13 teams that earned berths in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, including top‑ranked Florida and third‑seeded Michigan, while additional powerhouses such as Tennessee, Houston, Louisville, Iowa State, St. John's, Miami and Gonzaga round out the competition.
Thanksgiving Day will feature a full slate of eight games, with four semifinal matchups and four consolation contests setting the stage for the championship showdown.
The championship game itself will be held on November 28 at the Michelob ULTRA Arena, a venue operated by MGM Resorts International and partnered with the Players Era and EverWonder Studio to bring this innovative tournament format to life.