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Loaded field set for Players Era tourney in Las Vegas

By Thomson Reuters Aug 31, 2026 | 11:05 AM

By Field Level Media

Aug 31 (Field Level Media) – Defending national champion UCLA and runner-up South Carolina headline a loaded ​field for the 2026 Players Era ‌Women’s Basketball Showcase set for Dec. 19-20 in Las Vegas.

Fellow Final Four participant Texas along with Duke, Southern California and Notre Dame are also participating ‌in ​the six-game event at ⁠Mandalay Bay Resort and ⁠Casino, airing on ESPN and ESPN2.

The Bruins defeated Texas 51-44 in the national semifinals before beating South Carolina 79-51 to ​capture the program’s first national title last season.

In Las Vegas, UCLA will have ⁠rematches with the Gamecocks ⁠at 8:30 p.m. ET on Dec. ​19 and the Longhorns at 5 p.m. ET ​on Dec. 20.

“We’re happy to be ‌back in the Players Era Women’s Championship for another year,” Bruins coach Cori Close said. “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!”

The ⁠rest of the schedule (all times ET):

Dec. 19: –Duke vs. Texas, 6 p.m. –Notre Dame vs. Southern California, 11 p.m.

Dec. 20: –Notre Dame vs. South Carolina, 7:30 p.m. –Southern California vs. Duke, 10 p.m.

(–Field ​Level Media)