LeBron James Partners With PGA Tour for Akron Golf Event

NBA star LeBron James and the PGA Tour announced Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a partnership to launch the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational on July 6-7, 2027, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. The inaugural two-day event at Firestone's South Course will bring together professional players, amateurs, and celebrities. It will feature golfers from the PGA Tour's Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five program, which awards APGA Tour membership to top players from the APGA Collegiate Rankings. Off the course, the tournament will establish mentorship programs pairing participating professional golfers directly with students from James' I Promise program in Akron.

"Golf has become a passion of mine, and I've seen firsthand how the game can open doors, build relationships and create opportunities that many kids don't even know exist," said LeBron James, Forward, Philadelphia 76ers.

James, who picked up the sport in 2025 and launched a golf-focused YouTube channel in August 2026, noted that the initiative helps introduce local youth to the sport while investing in his hometown. "This partnership with the PGA Tour gives my foundation a chance to introduce my I Promise students and more people to the game at a young age, support talented athletes chasing their dreams, and continue investing in the city of Akron that means everything to me," James said.

The agreement ensures a continued PGA Tour presence at Firestone Country Club after the circuit's Kaulig Companies Championship announced its relocation to Newport Beach, California, following a 72-year legacy of tour events at the venue. "For many years, PGA Tour events at Firestone have been a staple of our community, benefitting our hometown and bringing people together," said Michele Campbell, Executive Director, LeBron James Family Foundation.

Campbell emphasized that the tournament aims to broaden access to golf for diverse athletes and local Akron youth. "With this event, we're excited to not only support more diverse golfers getting into the game, but to also expose our I PROMISE students and more youth in Akron to the world of possibilities that golf opens up," Campbell said. PGA Tour leadership highlighted the shared focus on community development and expanding access to the sport through the new partnership.

"The PGA Tour believes golf can create opportunity, change lives and bring communities together," said Brian Rolapp, CEO, PGA Tour.

Rolapp added that the event honors the historic venue's legacy while building new pathways for aspiring professional athletes. "LeBron and the LeBron James Family Foundation have shown what is possible when the commitment is backed by action, and this partnership brings that shared vision to life," Rolapp said. The announcement comes as James prepares for his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers after signing a two-year contract in free agency during the offseason.