Alabama’s men’s basketball program is slated to headline the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas during Thanksgiving week of 2026, a showcase event that brings together some of the nation’s top college teams for a series of late‑night contests.
A Thanksgiving Showdown in Vegas
The Crimson Tide will open the tournament against the Baylor Bears on Tuesday, November 24, at 9 p.m. Central Time, a slot designed to capture prime viewing audiences across the country.
Following that matchup, Alabama is scheduled to meet either the Gonzaga Bulldogs or the Kansas State Wildcats on Thanksgiving night, setting up a potential clash of programs with deep tournament histories.
The event will continue through Friday, November 27, with a third game on that date and a possible fourth contest on November 28, giving the Tide multiple opportunities to compete in high‑stakes environments.
The broadcasting landscape has also shifted: after two seasons on TNT Sports, ESPN and the tournament organizers have inked a new multi‑year agreement to air the games, though specific television details remain pending.
Coach Nate Oats will guide the team through this demanding stretch, which fits into a broader 2026‑27 nonconference slate that includes contests against Sam Houston, Seton Hall, Kennesaw State and other opponents.
Beyond the Vegas games, Alabama’s schedule features trips to familiar battlegrounds such as Birmingham, Miami and South Florida, as well as neutral‑site contests in Des Moines and New York, underscoring the team’s national exposure.