Michigan to Face Creighton in Opening Round of 2026 Players Era 16
5/21/2026 3:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In conjunction with Players Era, MGM Resorts International and ESPN, the University of Michigan men's basketball team announced Thursday (May 21) that the Wolverines will return to Las Vegas to defend their title at the 2026 Players Era Championship.
The Players Era 16 features two eight-team brackets, with the winners of each bracket advancing to the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 28, at Michelob ULTRA Arena. All 37 games across the Players Era 8 and Players Era 16 tournaments will air on ESPN networks.
Michigan will compete in the Players Era 16 and open against Creighton on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at T-Mobile Arena. With a win, the Wolverines would advance to the semifinals against either TCU or Miami (Fla.) on Thursday, Nov. 26.
Michigan's bracket also includes Alabama, Baylor, Gonzaga, and Kansas State. In addition to U-M facing Creighton, opening-round matchups include Gonzaga vs. Kansas State, Baylor vs. Alabama and TCU vs. Miami.
Following an off-day on Wednesday, Nov. 25, tournament play resumes Thanksgiving Day with semifinal and consolation games. Bracket championship games, along with third-, fifth- and seventh-place games, will be played Friday, Nov. 27, before the overall Players Era 16 championship game Saturday (Nov. 28).
New for 2026, the Players Era Championship expands to include the Players Era 8, an eight-team event scheduled for Nov. 17-19 at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The field includes Auburn, Houston, Iowa State, Louisville, Oregon, St. John's, Tennessee and Virginia, with all teams guaranteed three games during the event.
Michigan returns to the Players Era Championship after winning the 2025 title in dominant fashion, using the early-season event as a springboard during its national championship season.
The Wolverines opened the 2025 event with a 101-61 victory over San Diego State before rolling past No. 21 Auburn 102-72 in the semifinals. Michigan then capped the week with another 101-61 win, this time over No. 12 Gonzaga, in the championship game. Across the three victories, U-M outscored its opponents by 110 points and won by an average margin of 36.7 points.
Additional information, including game times, ticket details and television designations, will be announced at a later date.
Players Era 16
Nov. 24-28, 2026
T-Mobile Arena and Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 24
Tennessee vs. Maryland
San Diego State vs. Iowa State
St. John's vs. Oregon
Louisville vs. Texas Tech
Gonzaga vs. Kansas State
Baylor vs. Alabama
Michigan vs. Creighton
TCU vs. Miami (Fla.)
Wednesday, Nov. 25
No games scheduled
Thursday, Nov. 26
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Tennessee/Maryland) vs. WINNER (San Diego State/Iowa State)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (St. John's/Oregon) vs. WINNER (Louisville/Texas Tech)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Semifinal #3- WINNER (Gonzaga/Kansas State) vs. WINNER (Baylor/Alabama)
Semifinal #4 - WINNER (Michigan/Creighton) vs. WINNER (TCU/Miami)
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
Friday, Nov. 27
Bracket #1 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #1 vs. WINNER Semifinal #2
Bracket #2 Champ – WINNER Semifinal #3 vs. WINNER Semifinal #4
Bracket #1 Third Place
Bracket #1 Fifth Place
Bracket #1 Seventh Place
Bracket #2 Third Place
Bracket #2 Fifth Place
Bracket #2 Seventh Place
Saturday, Nov. 28
Players Era 16 Championship Game (Michelob ULTRA Arena)
Players Era 8
Nov. 17-19, 2026
Michelob ULTRA Arena
Tuesday, Nov. 17
Houston vs. Rutgers
Florida vs. Notre Dame
West Virginia vs. Auburn
Kansas vs. UNLV
Wednesday, Nov. 18
Semifinal #1 - WINNER (Houston/Rutgers) vs. WINNER (Florida/Notre Dame)
Semifinal #2 - WINNER (West Virginia/Auburn) vs. WINNER (Kansas/UNLV)
Consolation #1
Consolation #2
Thursday, Nov. 19
Championship Game
Third-Place Game
Consolation #3
Consolation #4
