How the TBT Tournament Works, Format, Rules, and Key Teams

Quick Answer

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) is a single-elimination summer basketball competition featuring 64 teams competing for a $2 million winner-take-all prize. In 2026, the tournament has shifted to a new format with 16 elite teams split into two brackets: an 8-team Alumni Bracket playing best-of-3 series on home courts, and a 6-team Non-Alumni Bracket using a group stage and knockout rounds.

The AfterShocks won the 2025 championship, defeating Eberlein Drive 82-67.

Key Facts

• Format change: The 2026 TBT features a restructured format with only 16 teams, down from 64 in previous years
• Alumni Bracket: Eight alumni teams compete in best-of-3 series on their home courts; each team can add four non-alumni "Portal Players"
• Non-Alumni Bracket: Six teams compete in a group stage followed by knockout rounds
• Prize money: $2 million winner-take-all championship prize
• 2025 champion: AfterShocks (Wichita State alumni) defeated Eberlein Drive 82-67
• Broadcast: Games air on FOX and FS1
• 2026 defending champion: AfterShocks are defending their title in the 2026 tournament

How the Tournament Evolved From 64 Teams to a Leaner Format

The Basketball Tournament has undergone a significant transformation since its inception in 2014. What began as a 32-team field in Boston with a $500,000 prize has evolved into a summer basketball staple with a $2 million winner-take-all format.

The tournament expanded rapidly, reaching 97 teams in 2015 before settling into a 64-team bracket for most years since 2016.

The 2025 Tournament Structure

The 2025 TBT followed the traditional single-elimination format with 61 teams competing across multiple regions. The bracket opened with first-round games on July 18, 2025, followed by second-round action on July 20, and third-round games on July 22.

The tournament culminated with the championship game on August 3, 2025, where AfterShocks topped Eberlein Drive 82-67 in Wichita, Kansas. The 2025 bracket featured familiar regional groupings with seeded teams.

For example, one region had Happy Valley Hoopers as the 1-seed, with Raleigh 919 Legends pulling an upset in the first round 79-75. Another region saw Carmen's Crew (Ohio State alumni) advance as the 1-seed before eventually falling.

The bracket included teams from various alumni groups, regional collectives, and independent squads.

The 2026 Restructuring

The 2026 season marks a dramatic departure from previous formats. Instead of 64 teams, the field has been reduced to 16 elite teams, split into two distinct brackets.

This restructuring represents a strategic shift toward higher-quality competition and more compelling matchups. The new format was announced alongside an extension between FOX Sports and TBT, ensuring continued broadcast coverage on FOX and FS1.

The 2026 tournament features:

• 14 teams competing for the $2 million prize across the two brackets
• An 8-team Alumni Bracket where teams play best-of-3 series on home courts
• A 6-team Non-Alumni Bracket with group stage play followed by knockout rounds

This restructuring addresses one of the tournament's long-standing challenges: maintaining competitive balance across a large field while ensuring that the best teams advance to the later rounds. By reducing the field and introducing best-of-3 series, the tournament creates more meaningful basketball in the early rounds.

The Two-Bracket System Alumni vs. Non-Alumni

The 2026 format divides the competition into two parallel tracks, each with its own path to the $2 million championship.

The Alumni Bracket

The Alumni Bracket features eight teams composed primarily of players who attended the same university. These teams carry the legacy of their college programs, often featuring former stars who played professionally or gained fame during their college careers.

Key features of the Alumni Bracket:

• Best-of-3 series: Each round is a best-of-3 series, reducing the randomness of single-elimination and ensuring the better team advances
• Home court advantage: Series are played on the alumni teams' home courts, creating a genuine home-crowd atmosphere
• Portal Player rule: Each alumni team can add four non-alumni "Portal Players," allowing teams to fill roster gaps while maintaining their core identity
• Winner hosts the championship: The Alumni Bracket winner earns the right to host the $2 million championship game

Notable alumni teams in the 2026 tournament include:

• AfterShocks (Wichita State) – The defending champions
• Boeheim's Army (Syracuse) – A perennial contender
• The Ville (Louisville) – Led by NBA veteran Montrezl Harrell
• La Familia (Kentucky)
• Hall In (Seton Hall)
• The Enchantment (New Mexico)

The 2026 Alumni Bracket has already produced compelling action. As of July 28, 2026, the following series are in progress:

• Boeheim's Army leads Hall In 2-0 after sweeping their series
• The Ville and Hall In are tied 1-1, with Montrezl Harrell's 35-point performance powering Louisville past Kentucky to force a decisive Game 3
• AfterShocks and The Enchantment are tied 1-1, with the defending champions opening their title defense with a dominant victory before dropping Game 2

The Non-Alumni Bracket

The Non-Alumni Bracket features six teams without college alumni affiliations. These teams are typically regional collectives, sponsored squads, or independent groups.

The Non-Alumni Bracket uses:

• Group stage: Teams are divided into groups (Group A and Group B) for round-robin play
• Knockout rounds: The top teams from each group advance to single-elimination knockout games
• Vegas location: Games are played at the M Resort in Las Vegas, creating a neutral-site tournament atmosphere

As of July 28, 2026, the Non-Alumni Bracket standings show:

• Group A: Davis Steel leads with a 1-0 record, followed by Gotham City Bockers at 0-1, with Knueppel Crew yet to play
• Group B: Red Rose War Ready leads with a 1-0 record

The Non-Alumni Bracket provides opportunities for independent teams and regional collectives to compete for the $2 million prize without needing an alumni affiliation.

Key Teams and Storylines to Watch

The 2026 TBT features several compelling teams and narratives that make this year's tournament particularly intriguing.

AfterShocks Defending Champions

The AfterShocks, representing Wichita State alumni, enter the 2026 tournament as defending champions after winning the 2025 title. They defeated Eberlein Drive 82-67 in the championship game, with Marcus Keene earning MVP honors.

The AfterShocks have carried their success into 2026, opening their title defense with a dominant victory over The Enchantment. However, the series is currently tied 1-1, demonstrating the challenge of repeating in a best-of-3 format.

The team must navigate the Alumni Bracket while integrating up to four Portal Players to maintain their roster.

Boeheim's Army Syracuse's Legacy Squad

Boeheim's Army, the Syracuse alumni team, has been one of TBT's most successful franchises. They won the 2021 championship and consistently reach the later rounds.

In 2026, they swept Hall In 2-0 to advance to the Alumni Semifinals. The team features Buddy Boeheim, who made his TBT debut in 2025, adding another chapter to the Boeheim family's basketball legacy.

The team's success reflects Syracuse's strong basketball tradition and the program's ability to produce professional-caliber talent.

The Ville Montrezl Harrell's Impact

The Ville (Louisville alumni) has emerged as a fan favorite, largely due to the presence of NBA veteran Montrezl Harrell. Harrell returned for TBT 2025 and has been a dominant force, recently scoring 35 points to power Louisville past Kentucky and force a winner-take-all Game 3.

The Ville's success demonstrates the value of star power in TBT. Harrell's NBA experience and athleticism make him one of the tournament's most exciting players, and his performances draw attention to the growing quality of competition in TBT.

The Non-Alumni Contenders

The Non-Alumni Bracket features teams like Davis Steel, Gotham City Bockers, Knueppel Crew, and Red Rose War Ready. These teams lack the built-in fan bases of alumni squads but offer unique storylines and competitive balance.

The six-team group format ensures that every game matters in the Non-Alumni Bracket, as teams jockey for position to advance to the knockout rounds. The winner of this bracket will face the Alumni Bracket champion in the $2 million championship game.

The Championship Picture

The ultimate prize remains $2 million, winner-take-all. The format ensures that the champion will have navigated either a best-of-3 alumni series or a group stage followed by knockout rounds, adding layers of competition compared to the previous single-elimination format.

The championship game will be hosted by the Alumni Bracket winner, creating a distinct home-court advantage. This dynamic adds strategic importance to the Alumni Bracket, as teams compete not just for the championship but for the right to host it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the TBT tournament format work in 2026?

The 2026 TBT features 16 teams split into two brackets. The Alumni Bracket has eight alumni teams playing best-of-3 series on home courts, with each team allowed four Portal Players.

The Non-Alumni Bracket has six teams competing in a group stage followed by single-elimination knockout rounds. The two bracket winners face off in the $2 million championship game.

How much money does the TBT winner receive?

The winner of TBT receives $2 million, winner-take-all. This prize has been consistent since 2016, when the tournament increased from $1 million to $2 million.

The 2026 tournament maintains this prize structure for the champion.

Who won the TBT in 2025?

The AfterShocks (Wichita State alumni) won the 2025 TBT championship, defeating Eberlein Drive 82-67. The championship game was held in Wichita, Kansas, giving the AfterShocks home-court advantage.

Marcus Keene was named tournament MVP.

What is the difference between the Alumni Bracket and Non-Alumni Bracket?

The Alumni Bracket features teams composed of alumni from specific universities, such as AfterShocks (Wichita State) and Boeheim's Army (Syracuse). These teams play best-of-3 series on their home courts.

The Non-Alumni Bracket features independent teams without alumni affiliations, competing in a group stage followed by knockout rounds at a neutral site in Las Vegas.

Where can I watch TBT games?

TBT games are broadcast on FOX and FS1. The tournament has a multi-year extension with FOX Sports, ensuring continued coverage.

Fans can also stream games through FOX Sports digital platforms. Specific game times and channels are announced on the tournament's official website and social media channels.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.