Top College Women’s Hoops Teams, Players Get Players Era Showcase
Monday, August 31, 2026 at 07:56PM By Barry Janoff
August 31, 2026: Players Era has unveiled the tournament matchups and other nformation for the 2026 Players Era Women’s Basketball Showcase.
The showcase is scheduled to feature six of the top programs in women’s college basketball: South Carolina, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, UCLA and Duke.
The two-day event is scheduled for Dec. 19-20, 2026, in Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. All six tournament games will air live on ESPN and ESPN2.
The Men’s Players Era 16 is Nov. 24-28 in Michelob Ultra Arena. Men’s Players Era Eight is Nov. 17-19 in Michelob Ultra Arena.
In addition to elite on-court action, the event “marks a landmark investment in the future of women’s sports by offering a seven-figure NIL financial pool for the single event, one of the largest in women’s college sports history,” according to Players Era.
“In 2026, Players Era is guaranteeing women’s college volleyball and basketball players mid-seven figures for available NIL activities – what we believe to be the greatest purse offered by any operator in the space,” Seth Berger, CEO of Players Era, said via the organization.
“We also are bringing the best of the best – in volleyball and basketball – to Las Vegas and MGM Resorts venues.”
The weekend will spotlight some of the game’s top stars, currently scheduled to include Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), JuJu Watkins (University of Southern California), Madison Booker (Texas), Joyce Edwards (South Carolina) and Toby Fournier (Duke).
USC enters the event boasting three former No. 1 overall recruits – led by consensus National Player of the Year JuJu Watkins alongside decorated superstars Jazzy Davidson and Saniyah Hall.
“We’re happy to be back in the Players Era Women’s Championship for another year,” UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach Cori Close said via Players Era.
“We’re excited for rematches with South Carolina and Texas, and the opportunity to play some elite competition at this exceptional event. It will be the premier non-conference tournament and have a lot of eyeballs with some great programs going head-to-head. We’re honored to be back!”
According to University of South Carolina Women’s Head Basketball Coach Dawn Staley via Players Era, ““We are excited to be back for the second year of the Players Era Women’s Championship with an expanded field.
“From elite matchups on the court, to great accommodations and opportunities for our team and our fans off it, it will be great to get back to Las Vegas and a full weekend highlighting women’s basketball.”
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