Philadelphia 76ers superstar LeBron James is expanding his footprint in the world of golf while delivering another huge win for his hometown.
The LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) and the PGA Tour announced a multi-year partnership centered on youth empowerment, access and inclusion. The flagship initiative of the deal is the creation of a charity golf event, the LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational, which will take place on July 6–7, 2027, at the historic Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
The announcement marks a triumphant return of PGA Tour-sanctioned events to Firestone’s iconic South Course, which hosted elite tournaments—such as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and multiple PGA Championships—for decades before professional tour stops relocated from the venue in recent years.
The two-day invitational is designed to blend on-course competitive play with extensive off-course community impact:
- I PROMISE Mentorship: Students from the LJFF’s I PROMISE program—which provides resources, support and educational opportunities to Akron-area youth—will pair directly with participating golfers for career workshops and mentorship initiatives.
- Pathway to Progression: The field will feature golfers from the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five program, an initiative created to support, fund and elevate top talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
- Historic Venue: Play will unfold across Firestone’s famed South Course, nicknamed “Monster,” reuniting top-tier golf with Northeast Ohio fans.
The partnership reflects James’ growing personal enthusiasm for the game. In recent years, the four-time NBA champion has picked up golf during the offseason, recently sharing his journey with fans through golf-focused media projects.
James recently created a golf channel on YouTube.
“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,” James said in a statement. “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.”
By combining the PGA Tour’s outreach tools with his foundation’s grassroots infrastructure in Akron, James aims to demystify a sport that has historically lacked diversity and accessibility for inner-city youth.
Further details regarding tournament formats, broadcasting and additional athlete appearances are expected to be released as the inaugural July 2027 event approaches.
