Louisville Basketball Will Participate in an Event in Las Vegas During Thanksgiving Week

Several months ago, it was announced that the University of Louisville basketball team would participate in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas.

Last fall, the Cardinals signed a four-year agreement to participate in this prominent early-season tournament. The event, named the Players Era Men’s Championship, will be broadcast on ESPN networks through a partnership with the organizers.

The event will feature top college basketball programs, including the last two NCAA Men’s Basketball national champions, Michigan and Florida. In 2026, the Players Era Men’s Championships will expand for a second consecutive year. As a result, the event will increase to 24 teams competing in two separate tournaments. Each tournament will use bracket play to determine a champion.

Louisville will compete in the 16-team bracket held during Thanksgiving week.

The Players Era Sixteen will take place over five days during Thanksgiving week. It will include Michigan, the reigning national champion, as well as Gonzaga, St. John’s, Baylor, Louisville, Iowa State, Alabama, Tennessee, Miami, Texas Tech, Maryland, TCU, Oregon, Creighton, SDSU, and Kansas State.

The tournament will be held in Las Vegas, with venues to be announced soon. The Players Era Eight will be held the week of November 16 and will feature Kansas, Florida, Houston, Auburn, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Rutgers, and UNLV.