Deadspin: TGL leans on star power to launch its 2027 season with a doubleheader

Stars open the season

The tech-infused indoor league begins Dec. 27 at SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., with a season-opening doubleheader. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka are among the golfers scheduled to compete.

McIlroy’s Boston Common Golf faces Koepka and expansion club Motor City Golf Club in the first match, airing on ESPN. Woods and Jupiter Links Golf Club then take on defending champion Los Angeles Golf Club on ABC, revisiting the 2026 finals.

Schedule adds a play-in

The seven-team league has 14 regular-season matches scheduled through Feb. 23. A new play-in match will decide the fourth and final playoff team. The postseason starts in March with semifinals, followed by a best-of-three finals for the SoFi Cup.

Broadcast plans broaden

TMRW Sports executive Rufus Hack said the schedule aims to bring TGL to more fans and locations. He pointed to three ABC matches, more weekend and daytime windows, and earlier primetime starts intended to suit younger and international audiences. Hack also thanked ESPN for continuing to support the league and show its matches across the network’s platforms.

NFL competition returns

TGL will again face NFL broadcasts this season. The league’s ratings rose on opening day a season ago, despite that competition. The Los Angeles club’s win in the 2026 finals remains Woods’ most recent competitive golf appearance.