Rutgers basketball is heading back to the Players Era Tournament next season, but fans should prepare for a whole new look. The event has expanded to 24 teams and been split into two separate brackets, creating a fresh dynamic for the competition. On top of that, ESPN's Jeff Borzello reported Thursday morning that the tournament and EverWonder Studio have inked a multiyear deal with ESPN, making the network the exclusive broadcast partner—a major step forward for the event's visibility.
The tournament now features two brackets: an 8-team field called the Players Era 8 and a 16-team field dubbed the Players Era 16. Rutgers will compete in the Players Era 8 during the week of November 16th, while the larger bracket takes place the following week, around Thanksgiving—the same time frame fans have come to expect from previous editions.
Rutgers faces a stacked lineup in their bracket, going up against Florida, Houston, Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Notre Dame, and UNLV. That's a gauntlet of powerhouse programs, with multiple teams expected to contend for national titles. Meanwhile, the 16-team bracket is equally loaded, featuring defending national champion Michigan, along with Alabama, Gonzaga, St. John's, Louisville, Tennessee, Iowa State, Miami, Texas Tech, Baylor, Maryland, TCU, Oregon, Creighton, San Diego State, and Kansas State. The brackets for each tournament haven't been released yet, nor have the NIL opportunities for the winners, but one detail is clear: every participating school will receive an average payout of just over $1 million simply for showing up.
Rutgers holds a 2-4 record in the Players Era Tournament overall. In 2024, they pulled off an overtime thriller against Notre Dame before falling to No. 9 Alabama and then No. 20 Texas A&M. The 2025 edition was tougher: the Knights were blown out by No. 17 Tennessee in the first round, then saw a comeback fall just short against Notre Dame the next day. They did pick up a win to close out the tournament, but this year's expanded field and new format offer a chance to rewrite that story. With the ESPN spotlight and a million-dollar incentive, the stage is set for a memorable November.