Women’s Team Golf League Set to Launch in 2026-27

LPGA stars competing in the Women's Team Golf League

News Summary

The Women’s Team Golf League (WTGL), a collaboration between the LPGA Tour and TMRW Sports, will debut in the winter of 2026-27. This innovative league will feature LPGA Tour stars competing in fast-paced, match-play format at the state-of-the-art SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The league aims to engage a younger audience with advanced technology and dynamic play, providing a fresh platform to showcase women’s golf talent and broaden the sport’s appeal.

Melville, New York – The world of women’s professional golf is set to embrace a new era of technology and team-based competition with the announcement of the Women’s Team Golf League (WTGL). This innovative indoor golf league, a partnership between the LPGA Tour and TMRW Sports, is scheduled to launch in the winter of 2026-27, marking a significant step in expanding the sport’s appeal and showcasing its stars.

The WTGL will feature teams of LPGA Tour stars competing in a fast-paced, match-play format from the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This venue is already home to TGL, the men’s equivalent league founded by TMRW Sports, a venture co-founded by golf legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, and sports executive Mike McCarley.

A Modern Approach to Golf Entertainment

The creation of WTGL aims to provide a fresh, media-focused version of golf that appeals to a contemporary audience. The league is designed to complement the existing LPGA Tour schedule, offering a new platform to highlight the skills and personalities of women golfers in a high-energy, arena-style environment. Matches will be approximately two hours long, emphasizing quick decision-making and dynamic play, a format intended to engage new fans and enhance the LPGA Tour’s global reach.

Behind the Tech-Infused Competition

The SoFi Center, where WTGL matches will be held, is equipped with advanced technology. Players will hit full-swing shots from real grass, rough, or sand platforms into a massive simulator screen, measuring 64 feet high by 46 feet across. For short-game shots under 50 yards and putts, players will move to a real, rotating, and adjustable green. This hybrid setup blends virtual and real-life action, with shots into the screen simulated using Toptracer ball-tracing technology. Throughout the competition, comprehensive shot performance data and statistics-based analytics, including ball speed, spin, launch angle, and carry distance, will be displayed for the audience.

Gameplay and Fan Engagement

WTGL is expected to mirror many foundational elements of the men’s TGL. This includes “mic’d up” moments, allowing audiences to hear player discussions and reactions in real-time, adding to the entertainment and strategic insight. The format typically involves 15-hole matches split into two sessions: “triples” (alternate-shot) for the first nine holes and “singles” (head-to-head best-ball) for the final six holes. A shot clock is also implemented to maintain a fast pace of play, and teams will have a strategic option to use a “hammer” to double the point value of a hole.

The Vision for Women’s Golf

LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler highlighted that the partnership with TMRW Sports on WTGL reflects a belief that innovation can help the game reach new fans and increase visibility for LPGA athletes. TMRW Sports founder and CEO Mike McCarley stated that the women’s league is another step in creating a modern, media-focused version of golf that appeals to today’s sports fan, showcasing the stars of the LPGA.

The timing of WTGL’s launch aligns with a surge in golf participation, particularly in off-course formats like simulators, which have more than doubled since 2020, exceeding 9 million participants. This trend indicates a growing audience receptive to technology-enabled golf experiences. Initial research from TGL’s first season showed it attracted a younger audience, with a median age of 52, second only to the NBA, and 41% of its audience in the 18-49 demographic. Moreover, 10% of TGL viewers who were PGA Tour fans watched more PGA Tour coverage, suggesting that such innovative formats can expand engagement across traditional tours as well.

While specific details regarding the number of teams, their ownership groups, and participating LPGA players are yet to be announced, the league aims for city- or region-based franchises, similar to the men’s TGL. This framework could potentially allow for cross-promotion between men’s and women’s franchises in the same cities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is WTGL?
WTGL stands for Women’s Team Golf League, a new tech-infused indoor golf league formed through a partnership between the LPGA Tour and TMRW Sports.
When will WTGL launch?
WTGL is scheduled to launch in the winter of 2026-27.
Where will WTGL matches be played?
Matches will be played at the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Who founded TMRW Sports?
TMRW Sports was co-founded by Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and sports executive Mike McCarley.
What is the format of WTGL matches?
WTGL will feature teams of LPGA Tour stars competing in a fast-paced, team match-play format, expected to mirror the 15-hole matches of TGL, which include “triples” and “singles” sessions. Matches are approximately two hours long.
What technology will be used in WTGL?
The league will use advanced technology at the SoFi Center, including a massive simulator screen for long shots and a real, rotating, adjustable green for short-game shots and putts. Toptracer ball-tracing technology will simulate shots, and comprehensive shot performance data will be displayed.

Key Features of WTGL

Feature Description
League Name Women’s Team Golf League (WTGL)
Launch Season Winter 2026-27
Partnership LPGA Tour and TMRW Sports
Venue SoFi Center, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Format Team-based, fast-paced match play (e.g., “triples” and “singles” sessions), 15 holes, ~2 hours per match
Technology Integration Massive simulator screen, real rotating/adjustable green, Toptracer ball-tracing, comprehensive shot data display
Player Involvement Teams of LPGA Tour stars
Fan Engagement “Mic’d up” players, shot clock, “hammer” rule, interactive data display, high-energy arena atmosphere
Goals Expand golf’s appeal, showcase LPGA athletes, engage new and younger audiences, complement traditional tour events

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