The Basketball Tournament (TBT) has secured a two‑year extension of its partnership with FOX Sports, ensuring the broadcast network will continue to showcase the competition through 2027.
A Historic Prize
Under the renewed agreement, the 2026 edition will feature a $2 million prize pool, the largest purse in TBT history since the 2019 tournament.
The field will expand to 16 teams, divided equally between eight alumni squads representing major college programs and eight non‑alumni teams, each competing in separate brackets.
Notable participants include former NBA players such as Michael Beasley, Willie Cauley‑Stein and Baron Davis, who will join alumni star Jon Mugar and other former collegiate standouts.
The championship game is scheduled for August 2, with the winner of the Vegas Bracket meeting the champion of the Alumni Bracket in the title match.
The Vegas Bracket will be held at the M Resort Spa Casino in Las Vegas from July 22 through July 30, providing a high‑profile venue for the early‑round games.
The alumni bracket will showcase powerhouse programs from Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas and other universities, while the non‑alumni side includes teams from Kansas State, Syracuse, Seton Hall, Wichita State and New Mexico.
With the extended broadcast deal, a record prize pool and a larger roster of teams, TBT is positioning itself as a premier summer basketball event on the national sports calendar.