NEW YORK, JANUARY 22, 2026 – Players Era, an EverWonder Studio company, and the Big 12 Conference today announced that Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia will round out the eight Big 12 participants in the expanded 2026 Players Era Men’s Championship Field.
 
Players Era and the Big 12 previously announced a first-of-its-kind partnership that guarantees the Big 12, perennially one of the top men’s basketball conferences in the country, with eight teams in the Players Era Men’s Championship.
 
The new teams join existing Big 12 participants Baylor, Houston, Iowa State and Kansas in next year’s expanded tournament field.
 
“We are excited to welcome four more Big 12 teams into the 2026 Players Era Championship: Texas Tech, TCU, West Virginia, and Kansas State. Having eight Big 12 teams guarantees that we will have the strongest field ever for what is becoming the second biggest tournament in college basketball,” said Players Era CEO Seth Berger.
 
“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.”

“There isn’t an MTE that’s talked about more than the Players Era Championship, and we couldn’t be more excited to participate,” said TCU head men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon. “The level of competition and attention surrounding this event make it one of the premier tournaments in college basketball. We’re proud to be part of an event that showcases the game at its highest level.”
 
“Our program is excited to be joining the Players Era Men's Championship field next season,” said Texas Tech head men’s basketball coach Grant McCasland. “It’s the most competitive non-conference event with unmatched opportunities to improve our program.”
 
“We are excited about the opportunity to play in the Players Era next season. It has become the preeminent in-season tournament for college basketball, and we can't wait for our players to enjoy a top-notch experience in the Entertainment Capital of the World - Las Vegas,” said Kansas State men’s basketball head coach Jerome Tang.

“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. Players Era will announce additional information about the 2026 tournament field and format in the coming weeks.