Players Era Festival, which Tennessee will be a part of, changes format for 2026

Nov 25, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; A general overall view of the Geico Players Era logo at midcourt at the 2025 Players Era Festival group play game at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Tennessee basketball has gotten a lot of headlines over the past few weeks. Now we know a little more about what should be their first chance to showcase itself in late November.

The Players Era Tournament, an event that has nearly single-handedly changed the look and feel of Thanksgiving week, will move to a 24-team structure this season. The teams will be split into eight and 16 team brackets, with the eight-team bracket playing the week before Thanksgiving. Tennessee will reportedly be a part of the 16-team field, which will played during Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas.

ESPN was also named the exclusive broadcast partner for the event.

Tennessee won games against Rutgers and Houston last season, but they were left out of the title game. The Players Era confusing structure, which involved record and winning margin, was scrapped for a true bracket this season. The bracket, which will more than likely have consolation games for all, weeks will be revealed later.

Michigan, Alabama, Gonzaga, St. John’s, Louisville, Iowa State, Miami, Texas Tech, Baylor, Maryland, TCU, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State and Kansas State will join Tennessee’s 16-team bracket, according to the announcement.

The tournament will add up to four games to Tennessee’s non-conference schedule, which already includes Michigan State, at Purdue and N.C. State in Nashville.

Tennessee’s new-look roster led by Juke Harris is a likely top ten team heading into next season. Michigan, Louisville and Gonzaga will also be a part of that conversation later this year. We’ll get a preview of each during Thanksgiving week out west in Vegas.