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Gonzaga set to join 16-team Players Era bracket as tournament introduces series of changes
TL;DR
Gonzaga will join a 16-team tournament at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas this November, ensuring at least three games against high-major teams. The tournament format has changed to feature two separate brackets over two weeks.
Key points
- Gonzaga returns to Las Vegas for the Players Era Festival.
- The tournament will have a new format with two brackets.
- Gonzaga will play at least three games against high-major teams.
- Potential opponents include Michigan, Alabama, and Maryland.
- Another group of eight teams will participate in a separate tournament.
GonzagaMichiganAlabamaMaryland
May 7—Gonzaga is officially returning to Las Vegas this fall to participate in college basketball's largest nonconference event for the second time.
The Players Era Festival will look noticeably different to the Zags and 23 other participating teams this November as it splits into two bracket-style tournaments over two weeks.
Gonzaga will be part of a 16-team tournament that will take place over Thanksgiving week, guaranteeing Mark Few's team at least three games against high-major opposition.
Each of the three teams Gonzaga played in last year's event — Michigan, Alabama and Maryland — could be potential opponents for the Zags again this fall, along with St. John's, Louisville, Tennessee, Iowa State, Miami, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State, TCU or Kansas State.
Another group of eight teams including Florida, Houston, Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Notre Dame, Rutgers and UNLV will participate in the Players Era 8 taking place the week before in Las Vegas.
Gonzaga and 15 other teams in the larger bracket will play at least three games in the tournament, with two teams advancing to a fourth game to determine the champion, according to Matt Norlander on the CBS Sports Eye on College Basketball podcast.
Players Era announced another significant change on Thursday, revealing that ESPN will be the event's new broadcast partner after the parties reached a multiyear agreement. TNT previously held the broadcast rights to the event, which featured eight teams during its inaugural season in 2024 before expanding to 18 in 2025.
More information, including matchups, schedule and ticket information, will be available later this month, according to CBS Sports.
Gonzaga was scheduled to receive $1 million for participating in the tournament last season and an additional $500,000 for reaching the championship game, where it lost in blowout fashion to eventual national champion Michigan.
Q&A
What is the Players Era Festival and when will it take place?
The Players Era Festival is a college basketball event scheduled for November, featuring two bracket-style tournaments over two weeks.
Which teams will Gonzaga potentially face in the tournament?
Gonzaga could face teams like Michigan, Alabama, Maryland, St. John's, and others in the 16-team tournament.
How many games is Gonzaga guaranteed in the Players Era Festival?
Gonzaga is guaranteed at least three games against high-major opposition during the tournament.
What changes have been made to the Players Era Festival format?
The festival now features two separate bracket-style tournaments, with Gonzaga participating in a 16-team bracket during Thanksgiving week.