LeBron James is taking his growing passion for golf back to where it all began for him — Akron, Ohio — with a new PGA Tour partnership bringing a major golf event to his hometown in 2027.
The LeBron James Family Foundation Invitational is scheduled for July 6-7, 2027, at the South Course at Firestone Country Club. The two-day event will feature both professional golfers and amateurs connected to the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression program.
For James, however, this isn’t simply about putting his name on another sporting event. The NBA superstar says the goal is to use golf as a way to create opportunities for young people who might not otherwise have access to the sport.
“Golf has become a passion of mine,” James said in a statement. He added that he has seen how the game can “open doors, build relationships, and create opportunities” for kids.
The initiative will also give James’ foundation an opportunity to introduce his I Promise students and other young people to golf while supporting athletes pursuing professional careers.
That connection to youth development is central to the PGA Tour’s Pathway to Progression Pro-Bound Five program, which was founded in 2024. The program is designed to create opportunities for talented golfers from underrepresented backgrounds and strengthen the pipeline of future professional players.
Its collegiate tier also gives the top five ranked players membership access to the APGA Tour, adding another pathway for golfers looking to advance their careers.
For James, the partnership represents another way to invest in the city that shaped him.
“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,” James said, while also highlighting his desire to support talented athletes and continue investing in Akron.
The announcement comes as James’ interest in golf has become increasingly visible. He recently launched a golf-focused YouTube channel under the @LeBron handle, documenting his efforts to learn and master the game.
The lifestyle series has featured course vlogs, competitive trash talk and rounds with high-profile guests. Its debut episode followed James and members of his 2016 NBA championship-winning Cleveland Cavaliers team on a reunion trip to Scotland’s Castle Stuart Golf Links.
Now, his golf journey is heading back home.
In 2027, Akron won’t just be the birthplace of LeBron James. It will also be the backdrop for a golf event carrying his name and his foundation’s mission.
