ESPN to Broadcast Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's Simulator Golf League

TGL, which has commitments from five of the world's top 10 players for its team format, will be aired on ESPN platforms with its first match on Jan. 9.

The tech-infused indoor team golf league founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will have its matches aired on ESPN platforms in prime time.

ESPN announced Thursday that it's partnering with Woods and McIlroy's TMRW Sports and the PGA Tour in a multi-year deal beginning in January 2024.

A rendering of the TGL arena, which includes the simulator screen and short-game area.  / ESPN

The inaugural match of the TGL will air on ESPN and ESPN+ on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and the second will air on Tuesday, Jan. 16, as the networks have football games to air on the prior Mondays. A full schedule has yet to be announced but the league is expected to play most of its 15-match regular season on Mondays.

Matches will be held in a custom arena on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., including shots hit into a simulator screen and short-game shots on an indoor green. The matches will be played in a two-hour window with all player wearing microphones. 

So far 12 players have committed to the new league including Woods, McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Billy Horschel. Five players are in the top 10 in the world (three of the top 10 in the SI World Golf Rankings) and nine just played in the Ryder Cup.  

Six teams of three players will compete and ownership groups have been formed representing Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles and New York.