The 2026 edition of The Basketball Tournament sets a new prize standard
The upcoming season will feature 16 teams divided into two distinct brackets: one composed of alumni squads and the other of non‑alumni teams. This format builds on the success of recent editions and promises fresh matchups.
Games in the alumni bracket are slated to take place on college campuses across the United States, running from July 20 through July 24. Each venue will host a series of contests that showcase former college stars.
The non‑alumni bracket will be consolidated in Las Vegas, Nevada, with all its games scheduled between July 22 and July 24. The concentrated venue allows fans to experience the final stretch of competition in a single city.
Organizers have doubled the winner‑take‑all prize to $2 million, underscoring the tournament’s growing financial stakes and attracting heightened attention from players and sponsors.
Broadcast coverage will be carried nationally on FOX, FS1 and FS2, while streaming options will be available through fubo and YouTube, ensuring broad accessibility for viewers across platforms.
The 2025 championship was captured by the AfterShocks, a team drawn from Wichita State alumni, setting a competitive benchmark for this year’s participants.
With a blend of campus‑based play, a Las Vegas showdown, and expanded prize money, the 2026 tournament is positioned to become a marquee event on the basketball calendar.