UPDATE: In a stunning reversal, Players Era Festival CEO Seth Berger announced today that the tournament will consider a new format for its 2026 event, just 24 hours after vowing to maintain the current structure. This decision comes amid significant backlash following the late announcement of matchups during the ongoing festival in Las Vegas.
Berger revealed to ESPN that organizers are rethinking their approach as the field expands to 32 teams next year. “The reality of this is having the humility to listen,” he stated. “We thought we had come up with the right solution, but all ideas are on the table.” This shift follows fan frustrations voiced during the tournament, particularly regarding the confusing format based on multiple criteria, including margin of victory and AP rankings.
The controversy intensified when Iowa State, despite a strong performance—defeating St. John’s and winning against Creighton—found itself matched against Syracuse, a team with two losses, due to its insufficient overall margin of victory of plus-19. This has raised concerns over fairness, especially as the winner of the Players Era title game between Michigan and Gonzaga will walk away with an additional $1 million in NIL compensation.
Fans and players alike expressed disappointment over the current setup, as Iowa State’s undefeated record and strong wins did not guarantee them a spot in the championship. The implications of Berger’s announcement resonate strongly with players striving for opportunity, as the current format seemingly undervalued substantial performances.
In light of these developments, the 2026 tournament is set to undergo significant changes, potentially introducing four eight-team pods and a new competition structure. As Berger noted, “I don’t know that we’re going to a bracket, but we need to revise our approach to fit a larger field.”
As the festival continues, attention now turns to how organizers will implement these changes and how they will affect teams and players in the upcoming years. With the tournament’s prestige on the line, the urgency for a fair and transparent system has never been more critical.
Fans and stakeholders will be watching closely for further updates as the event progresses, ensuring that the future of the Players Era Festival aligns with the expectations and needs of the community it serves.