The Players Era Tournament opened its 2025 edition this week, ushering in a new era for early-season college hoops. The expanded format features an 18-team men’s field and promises significant Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and media exposure for participating U.S. programs.
What’s New and Noteworthy
This year’s Players Era has scaled up dramatically. The event moves from the eight-team model of 2024 to 18 men’s teams in 2025. The format uses pool play across Monday and Tuesday, followed by championship and placement games on Wednesday. Teams compete in Las Vegas at venues such as the Michelob ULTRA Arena and MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The tournament carries a strong NIL component: reports indicate each school received a guaranteed six-figure or seven-figure sum just to participate. The field features numerous top programs: members from the Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, ACC and other major conferences.
The expansion and financial incentives have led many observers to suggest the Players Era is reshaping November’s landscape of college basketball showcases.
Expanded Field + Format
- The tournament runs November 24-26 for the men’s competition.
- Monday and Tuesday see all 18 teams play predetermined games to determine the seeding for Wednesday’s championship matchups.
- Seeding is determined by win-loss record, then tiebreakers such as point differential, points scored and points allowed.
- The women’s portion also takes place, but the focus here is on the men’s bracket.
Big Names and Competitive Depth
The field includes elite basketball programs such as Michigan Wolverines (Big Ten), Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12), Gonzaga Bulldogs (WCC) and Alabama Crimson Tide (SEC). With so many marquee programs involved, the tournament promises to deliver high-profile matchups early in the season—a notable shift from past years when many marquee teams avoided heavy competition until later.
Why It Matters for the U.S. College Game
- Financial and Exposure Incentives – The tournament’s NIL guarantee to participating schools and players adds major financial incentives for programs to commit.
- Early Season Impact – Top programs engaging in quality non-conference games this early means the “feast-week” in November is evolving into something far more consequential.
- Bracket Format Innovation – Rather than a simple elimination bracket, the pool play to championship design emphasizes every game’s importance and adds evaluative opportunity for coaches, players and NBA scouts.
- Television and Broadcast Reach – With national networks carrying the games, there’s a heightened exposure platform for programs and athletes in the U.S. marketplace.
Key Updates for U.S. Fans
- If you live in the U.S., you’ll want to note that tip-off times vary between Pacific and Eastern time zones; many games begin early evening Pacific.
- Fans of the major programs listed above should watch for their team’s opening games this week to see how they fare in this new format.
- Expect that performances in this tournament will carry weight when preseason rankings are updated and when NCAA Tournament considerations come into focus later in the season.
Looking Ahead
While the 2025 edition has already made headlines for its scale and ambition, the organizers have indicated that further expansion is in the works—possibly moving toward a 32-team field in the near future. For U.S. college basketball fans, this means that early-season tournaments may no longer be “warm-up” competitions but serious tests with real stakes.
Final Thought
For U.S. college hoops fans, the Players Era Tournament is more than just another event. It represents a shift in how early-season basketball is viewed—both financially and competitively. With so much on the line, this week’s games could provide early indicators of which programs are built to contend for the long haul.
Stay tuned as results come in—and feel free to comment below on which team you’re watching or most excited to see perform.