Changes coming for 2026 Players Era Festival as Alabama basketball returns: What to know
As the Players Era Festival continues to grow, Alabama basketball will compete among 16 teams on the week of Thanksgiving. What to know.
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.
REQUIRED READING: Alabama basketball trainer salaries revealed after injury-filled season 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.