Changes coming for 2026 Players Era Festival as Alabama basketball returns: What to know

TL;DR

Alabama basketball will return to the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas in 2026, competing the week of Nov. 23. The tournament will now be broadcast on ESPN and will feature an 8-team bracket.

Key points

Alabama basketball returns to the Players Era Festival in 2026
Tournament will be held in Las Vegas the week of Nov. 23
Broadcast will move to ESPN from TNT and TruTv
Features an 8-team bracket with additional teams for Thanksgiving week

Mentioned in this story

Las Vegas

Alabama basketballPlayers Era Festival

Alabama basketball is set to return to the Players Era Festival in 2026.

The Crimson Tide will compete in Las Vegas once again on the week of Nov. 23 as the tournament broadcast moves to ESPN, per Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman.

In the past, the tournament has been shown on TNT and TruTv.

This year’s NIL-driven tournament will also feature an 8-team bracket the week before 16 more teams travel to Sin City for the week of Thanksgiving.

Here’s a look at the 15 other teams that Alabama could face as it looks to make a fifth straight run to the Sweet 16 and beyond.

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Who could Alabama basketball meet in 2026 Players Era Festival?

Michigan
Gonzaga
St. John's
Louisville
Tennessee
Iowa State
Miami
Texas Tech
Baylor
Maryland
Oregon
Creighton
San Diego State
TCU
Kansas State

Following up a runner-up finish to Oregon to start the inaugural tournament in 2024, the Crimson Tide started its 2025 Players Era appearance with a loss to Gonzaga before bouncing back with wins over UNLV and Maryland.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.

Q&A

What changes are being made to the 2026 Players Era Festival?

The 2026 Players Era Festival will feature Alabama basketball competing in Las Vegas, with the tournament broadcast moving from TNT and TruTv to ESPN.

When will Alabama basketball compete in the Players Era Festival?

Alabama basketball will compete in the Players Era Festival during the week of November 23, 2026.

How many teams will participate in the 2026 Players Era Festival?

The tournament will feature an 8-team bracket, followed by 16 more teams traveling to Las Vegas for the Thanksgiving week.