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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Kevin Sweeney

What’s Next for Players Era? Inside College Basketball’s Fastest-Growing November Event

After shaking up college basketball’s early season calendar, what’s next for the Players Era Championship? 

The event, built on seven-figure payouts to participating players, is headed full steam ahead toward a third year after growing from eight to 18 men’s teams in its second season in 2025. It has immediately attracted many of the best teams in the sport: The top three teams on KenPom and eight of the top 20 as of Monday played in this year’s event, and similarly strong fields can be expected in 2026. 

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