The Palm Beach Post plays ‘Closest to the Pin’ at TGL’s SoFi Center
Columnist Tom D’Angelo and deputy sports editor Eric Wallace played “Closest to the Pin” at TGL Media Day on Monday, Dec. 15 at the SoFi Center.
The second season of the TGL virtual golf league will begin on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the SoFi Center.Fans attending matches will now be able to listen in to broadcast audio and player conversations via earbuds.Seating in the lower bowl has been expanded, bringing fans closer to the action on the enlarged green.New hospitality areas, including a fan zone and a premium suite, have been added to enhance the in-person experience.TGL plans to offer more fan-player interactions through receptions, Q&A sessions, and fireside chats on match days.
TGL is looking to make things even more up-front and personal for golf fans at the SoFi Center this season.
The second season of TGL will begin on Sunday, Dec. 28, on the campus of Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens. Reigning champion Atlanta Drive will face New York Golf Club in the season’s first match.
The inaugural season of TGL gave an audience of around 1,500 fans an intimate view of the innovative indoor-golf league, which features top stars such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and more.
While TGL’s primary focus has been on the development of its television audience, the league spent the 2025 offseason looking for ways to ramp up the in-person experience for a unique sporting event that has already drawn fans from across the United States and 21 international countries.
“We want people to come and hang out [at the SoFi Center],” TMRW Sports vice president Andrew George said. “Come early. Come two hours before the match and stay after. … We want to try to get as many people in this facility as we possibly can.”
Here’s a look at some of the changes fans can expect at the SoFi Center this season:
Match audio in SoFi Center stands
Fans at the SoFi Center will no longer miss out on the fun banter between golfers that viewers enjoy on the broadcast back home.
All attendees will have the ability to “listen-in” to audio from the main ESPN broadcast, Sirius XM Radio or a choice of one team or the other. Complementary earbuds will be distributed to attendees, though you can also choose to bring your own and tune in via Bluetooth.
Expanded seating in lower bowl
TGL is bringing more fans greenside with expanded seating, opening up approximately 50 seats in the lower bowl.
The chance to sit feet away from the best golfers in the world, and potentially heckle them, is part of TGL’s signature and makes these among the SoFi Center’s most coveted seats.
With TGL already expanding the green for its second season, fans will be closer than ever.
“I think the fans need to be more involved,” Jupiter Links GC’s Tom Kim said. “I think they were great last year. To be able to be that close to the fans is very special, when you can hear them. When we play normal tournament golf, it’s very quiet and you’re very locked in.
“At least in this one event for two and a half hours, if I was a fan, I’d have so much fun yelling at players. I’d like the fans to be more included and be more rowdy.”
Match tickets for greenside seating are available on a limited basis at TGLGolf.com.
Fan and hospitality areas
The SoFi Center introduced new hospitality elements for general admission as well as premium audiences.
The Mike’s Hard Lemonade Stand will serve as a central point of the fan experience on the north concourse at the SoFi Center. There will be full bar service with the area flanked by a massive LED screen and multiple TVs.
The Cîroc Athletic Club will deliver a premium hospitality experience for fans in smaller groups looking for a suite experience overlooking the field of play. The suite will included upgraded amenities as well as food and bar service.
Receptions, Q&As, fireside chats
As if heckling golfers greenside isn’t close enough, TGL will look to give more opportunities for fans to access players on match day.
George said the TGL team expects to host multiple receptions on match nights as well as fireside chats and Q&A sessions with players. It’s all part of a broader goal to elevate the in-person experience into a matchday environment at the SoFi Center.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
