Recent champs Michigan, Florida headline expanded Players Era field

Michigan and Florida will headline an expanded Players Era men's college basketball event this fall, after the tournament and ESPN announced a new multi-year broadcast agreement.

The 2026 event will expand from 18 teams to 24 and be split into two separate tournaments in Las Vegas. ESPN said it will carry all 37 games.

The new format positions the last two national champions as the marquee draws. Michigan won the 2025 title, while Florida won the most recent championship.

The announcement adds another major offseason development to the growing early-season neutral-site calendar. It also gives the Players Era a bigger platform as it continues to build its profile among high-major programs.

Officials have not yet released the full field, bracket assignments or complete game schedule. Ticket information and additional matchup details are also still to come.

For now, the headline names are set: Michigan and Florida will be the faces of the expanded event in Las Vegas.