The Big 12 is going all-in on Las Vegas.
Eight teams from the conference are now locked in for the 2026 Players Era Championship, a preseason tournament that’s quickly becoming one of the most intriguing events on the college basketball calendar. Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia are the latest to join the party, linking up with previously announced participants Baylor, Houston, Iowa State, and Kansas. That’s half the conference heading to the desert next season.
This marks the third edition of the Players Era Championship, and it’s already evolving fast. The tournament expanded to 16 teams in November 2025, and with each school reportedly pocketing at least $1 million in NIL compensation, it’s clear this event isn’t just about basketball-it’s about building a new model for the sport’s future.
The Players Era brands itself as a showcase for men’s and women’s college hoops, rooted in Las Vegas and powered by the momentum of NIL. And let’s be honest: in an era where players are finally getting a cut of the pie, a high-profile preseason tournament offering seven-figure payouts is going to draw attention-and talent.
More details about the 2026 event are expected soon, but what’s already clear is that this isn’t just a flashy exhibition. It’s a strategic play by the Big 12 and commissioner Brett Yormark, who’s been pushing the conference into new territory since taking the reins.
The Big 12 moved its football media days to Vegas in 2024, and it holds a $50 million equity stake in the Players Era venture through a deal with founder Seth Berger. That’s not a casual relationship.
That’s a long-term investment in a city that’s quickly becoming a college sports hub.
Of course, this raises some questions-especially for fans in Kansas City. The Big 12 men’s basketball tournament has deep roots there, and the current agreement with the Kansas City Sports Commission runs through 2031. But with the conference planting more and more flags in Las Vegas, some are wondering if the future might include a shift westward.
Right now, the Players Era is a national event. But eight of the 16 Big 12 schools participating next year share the Central Time Zone, and five are already in Mountain Time. If future realignment brings in more western programs, the geographic center of gravity could shift even further toward the Rockies-and the Strip.
Las Vegas, meanwhile, is already hosting the NBA Cup finals and Summer League action. The city has become a year-round basketball destination, and it’s no secret that it’s on the shortlist for a future NBA franchise. College basketball is a natural extension of that growth, and the Players Era is positioning itself right at the intersection of entertainment, competition, and NIL opportunity.
So, what we’re seeing isn’t just a preseason tournament. It’s a glimpse into where college basketball could be headed. The Big 12 is embracing that future, and Las Vegas is quickly becoming the league’s second home.