TGL will expand next winter with new league for LPGA players

Daytona Beach, FL: The LPGA and TMRW Sports have announced the formation of WTGL, a new platform for team golf featuring the world’s best women golfers. Preparing for a launch in winter 2026-27, WTGL will feature teams of LPGA Tour stars competing across a season of fast-paced, team match play from the custom-built SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

“Partnering with TMRW Sports on WTGL reflects our belief that innovation can help the game reach new fans and create greater visibility for LPGA athletes,” said LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler. “I’ve seen how new formats can engage audiences while showcasing both athlete personality and performance, and WTGL brings that spirit of innovation to the women’s game. It creates another global stage for our athletes—one that helps fans connect more deeply with them and continues to elevate the visibility and growth of women’s golf.”

“In partnership with the LPGA, WTGL is another step in creating a modern, media-focused version of a centuries-old game that appeals to today’s sports fan. Since the launch of TGL a year ago, TMRW Sports has been putting the pieces in place to create a women’s league featuring the best players in the world. Now, along with the LPGA and its athletes, we look forward to creating a stage to help showcase the stars of the LPGA,” said Mike McCarley, founder and CEO, TMRW Sports. “WTGL’s short-form, team golf format will engage new audiences and complement the LPGA Tour’s global appeal.”

As a showcase for the skill, personalities, and team spirit of the participating LPGA stars, WTGL will build upon the foundation of TGL presented by SoFi’s success, which was described as a “high-energy arena spectacle” by Vanity Fair, “pure entertainment” by GQ, and “golf’s boldest new venture” by Fast Company. In addition to featuring foundational elements of TGL like mic’d up moments, risk-reward decisions and throwing the Hammer, WTGL will provide the same tech-driven platform with comprehensive shot performance data and statistics-based analytics built seamlessly into the competition.

The women’s league will have its own schedule, and while there may be some overlap, McCarley said they’ll work closely to schedule events that are complementary with the LPGA and its offseason and not competitive.

McCarley also noted he’s been inundated with calls and texts this morning form existing owners and potential new owners that are interested in the women’s league.

Kessler, a former Topgolf executive, sees the new WTGL working toward that vision.

“All the data is showing that TGL is introducing a younger, vibrant audience into the mix,” said Kessler, “and that’s good as we think about long-term growth for the LPGA. I’d also say, you know, as someone who came from Topgolf and saw the power of golf and innovation coming together to be a part of that in a way, once again, through WTGL, just gets me fired up.”

According to TGL research, the first season drew one of the youngest audiences in sports, second only to the NBA in both median age (52) and the percentage of adults in the 18-49 demographic (41 percent). In addition, 32 percent of viewers ages 18-34 did not regularly watch the PGA Tour. Among those existing PGA Tour fans who did tune in, 10 percent watched more Tour coverage last season.

Major champion Michelle Wie West is an investor of TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club along with the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, and soccer star Alex Morgan.

In having players mic’d up for the entire WTGC broadcast, fans have a unique opportunity to learn more about players’ personalities.

“I remember when I was a kid and the NFL started doing mic’d up, and I could hear what some of my favorite players were saying in the huddle, and as a linebacker’s racing towards a quarterback to try and make a sack, the heavy breathing, and then when they go nuts after actually delivering the sack, I felt connected in those moments,” said Kessler. “This is an opportunity for us to be always on with our players in a way that’s never happened before in women’s golf, and I think that’s very exciting.”

Additional details on WTGL will be announced in the coming months – to stay informed, go to WTGLGolf.com.