WVU Basketball Learns Bracket for Players Era Championship

With more information being revealed, WVU basketball now knows its bracket for the Players Era Championship in November.

West Virginia will compete as one of eight teams getting started on Nov. 16. The Mountaineers are part of the first bracket of teams that also includes Auburn, Florida, Houston, Notre Dame, Kansas, Rutgers and UNLV.

A separate field with 16 additional teams will get underway during the week after Thanksgiving.

The 2026 Men’s Players Era Championship will be televised nationally by ESPN.

“We’re thrilled that four additional Big 12 programs have been added to the elite Players Era field in 2026,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Our partnership creates greater access to one of the premier non-conference events in college basketball, elevating our programs, coaches and student-athletes on a national stage.”

“We are excited to be invited with seven of our Big 12 Conference members to participate in the 2026 Players Era Men’s Championship,” said West Virginia head men’s basketball coach Ross Hodge. “The exposure this tournament presents will be beneficial to our program, our University and the state of West Virginia. This has become the biggest in-season tournament in college basketball, and we are thrilled to be a part of this prestigious event.”

After debuting with eight teams for its inaugural tournament in 2024, the Players Era Men’s Championship expanded to 18 teams for the 2025 edition and is expanding the field once again for year three, as the tournament further establishes itself as the preeminent early season men’s college tournament.