TGL, the tech-infused indoor golf competition headed by golfing legends Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, has struck inaugural international broadcast rights deals, ahead of its 2025 season, in Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
The competition’s organizers, TMRW Sports, have today unveiled tie-ups with pay-TV heavyweight Fox Sports (Australia), streaming service U-Next (Japan), and cable operator JTBC (South Korea). CAA Evolution, the sports-centric investment bank, acted in an advisory capacity to TGL during the negotiations around these deals.
These networks are also rights holders of US golf’s established PGA Tour, and also all cover The Open, the iconic UK annual tournament.
In addition, Fox Sports holds rights to the Ryder Cup, the legendary biennial teams competition in which Europe takes on the US.
Mike McCarley, TMRW Sports’ chief executive and founder, has said: “Golf is truly a global game and as we plan the launch of TGL in 2025, we’re focused on expanding TGL's global footprint. We’re starting with media rights partnerships across three strong golf markets: Australia, Japan, and South Korea. We’re energized by the enthusiasm from these partners and the momentum we’re seeing in additional markets around the world.”
The first match of the competition’s 2025 season will begin on January 7 at the TGL’s purpose-built Florida facility, with the second fixture the following week (January 14), and the third contest on January 21.
TGL was initially set to begin in January this year, however, its sole SoFi Centre venue in Florida was damaged amid a storm in November, and rather than push back the initial start date, the decision was made to scrap the 2024 season entirely and instead inaugurate the competition in 2025. Notably, no international broadcasters had been lined up at the time of the postponement.
Domestically, TGL’s first three matches will be broadcast live in the prime-time viewership slot by major US sports broadcaster ESPN, through a deal made public last October.
January also coincides with the start of the 2025 PGA Tour, of which all TGL golfers are members.
There will be six TGL teams, based in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Florida.
They will compete across 15 matches, two semi-finals, and a final over the season, all to be staged in Palm Beach, Florida. The arena will feature a virtual course as well as short-game greens in a technology-focused experience.
