Big changes are coming to one of college basketball's most exciting early-season events—and Tennessee Volunteers fans have plenty to look forward to.
The Players Era Festival, which has quickly become a staple of Thanksgiving week hoops, is getting a major makeover for 2026. The tournament will expand to a 24-team format, splitting into two brackets: an eight-team field and a 16-team field. Tennessee is reportedly set to headline the larger bracket, which will tip off during Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas.
This is a welcome shift from last year's confusing structure, which relied on record and scoring margin to determine the champion. The new format will feature a true bracket—complete with consolation games—giving fans a much clearer path to the title. The full bracket will be announced later this year.
Tennessee made waves in last year's event with wins over Rutgers and Houston, though they were left out of the championship game. This time around, the Vols will have a chance to make a deeper run. ESPN has been named the exclusive broadcast partner, ensuring national coverage for every matchup.
The 16-team bracket is loaded with heavyweight programs. Joining Tennessee are Michigan, Alabama, Gonzaga, St. John's, Louisville, Iowa State, Miami, Texas Tech, Baylor, Maryland, TCU, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State, and Kansas State. That's a who's who of college basketball, setting the stage for an unforgettable week in Vegas.
For Tennessee, the tournament will add up to four games to an already challenging non-conference schedule that includes Michigan State, a road trip to Purdue, and N.C. State in Nashville. With a revamped roster led by Juke Harris, the Vols are expected to be a top-10 team heading into next season. Programs like Michigan, Louisville, and Gonzaga will also be in that conversation—and we'll get an early look at all of them under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Whether you're stocking up on Vols gear for the season or just love the thrill of early-season tournaments, this is one event you won't want to miss.