South Carolina, UCLA, Duke and Texas to Play in 2025 Players Era Women’s Tournament

South Carolina, UCLA, Duke and Texas will play in a women’s basketball round-robin tournament in Las Vegas next year during Thanksgiving week.

The Players Era Women’s Championship will allow the opportunity for athletes on each team to engage in at least $1 million of NIL activities with the title group and sponsors.

“We’re excited to be among the first women’s teams invited to play in the Players Era Women’s Championship,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “This innovative event brings together everything we’re looking for — quality games early in the season, a great location for fans to come and enjoy and NIL opportunities for our players.”

The event will coincide with the men’s tournament that debuted at MGM Grand Garden Arena last month. Oregon won the men’s championship by topping Alabama 83-81.

“We are grateful, honored and excited to have the opportunity to participate in the Players Era Women’s Championship,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said. “This event will allow us to compete against the best teams in the country early in the season and will give us a great indication and evaluation early on.”

Each of the women’s teams will play the other three teams. South Carolina faced Duke and UCLA already this season and will play Texas in conference as the Longhorns moved to the SEC this year.

“As a program striving to consistently compete at a championship level, it’s essential to measure ourselves against the best,” said UCLA coach Cori Close. “We’re excited for a rematch with South Carolina and the opportunity to compete against other exceptional programs at the Player’s Era Women’s Championship.”

The four teams are currently in the top 10 of the poll, with UCLA and South Carolina 1-2. Texas is sixth and Duke is ninth. The Bruins topped the Gamecocks in November to end the defending champions’ 43-game winning streak.

“This is the premier regular season tournament in women’s college basketball,” said Duke coach Kara Lawson.  “The brands and the talent combined create an elite showcase of our sport. I have a lot of respect for these programs and their willingness to challenge each other.”