Dubai is preparing to host a unique sporting spectacle as the Stars Golf League (SGL) makes its debut at the Els Club Dubai from March 25–28, 2026.
Blending golfing greats, women’s professionals, and some of the biggest names from cricket and football, the league promises to be a first-of-its-kind celebration of sport, star power, and high-stakes competition. The SGL’s inaugural edition has already attracted global headlines with a line-up that reads like a who’s who of international sport. From India, golf’s trailblazer Jeev Milkha Singh, who has 20 professional titles across the DP World, Asian, and Japan Tours, will lead the charge. He is joined by Diksha Dagar, India’s inspirational Ladies European Tour winner, and rising star Tvesa Malik.
Adding a dash of cricketing nostalgia are India’s World Cup icons Kapil Dev, the 1983 captain and current PGTI Chairman, and Yuvraj Singh, the 2011 hero. They’ll tee off alongside household names like AB de Villiers, cricket’s “Mr. 360°”; football royalty Ryan Giggs, Alan Shearer, and Ruud Gullit; and a roster of golfing greats spanning generations.
For Indian fans, it is a rare opportunity to see their national sporting heroes compete shoulder-to-shoulder with global icons in a completely new format.
The Stars Golf League has been designed to mix the thrill of professional golf with the glamour of international celebrity sport.
Six franchises will compete in a team-based format featuring 24 legendary golfers, six women professionals, and six celebrities. A US$1 million prize pool awaits, with team owners also earning substantial rewards: US$300,000, US$200,000, and US$100,000 for the top three finishers. The field will include nine of the top ten Legends Tour Order of Merit players, guaranteeing world-class competition.
Beyond the action on the greens, fans can expect four days of experiences blending sport, entertainment, and lifestyle: a glittering red-carpet launch, a Pro-Am showdown with corporate leaders, exclusive golf clinics, and a final day of league battles under Dubai’s desert skies.
Among the golfing elite set to participate are Paul Lawrie, the 1999 Open Champion; Michael Campbell, winner of the 2005 U.S. Open at Pinehurst; Ian Woosnam, a former world No.1 and 1991 Masters Champion; and Colin Montgomerie, an eight-time European Tour Order of Merit winner. Ryder Cup-winning captain Thomas Bjørn and long-hitting Australian Scott Hend, the current Legends Tour World No.1, add further pedigree.
For Indian golf, Jeev Milkha Singh’s presence is symbolic. As the country’s most successful international golfer, his participation bridges the gap between India’s rising generation and the sport’s global elite.
The SGL is also making a statement by ensuring leading women professionals feature prominently. Diksha Dagar, who overcame hearing impairment to become an LET winner, and Tvesa Malik, one of India’s most promising young talents, will join international names like Florentyna Parker of Germany (three LET titles) and Alexandra Swayne of the USA. Their inclusion signals the league’s commitment to inclusivity and broad representation.
The Stars Golf League is the brainchild of Mahesh Bhupathi, India’s 12-time Grand Slam champion, alongside co-founders Hemali Sharma and Abbas Muni. Building on their success with the World Tennis League and World Padel League, the trio are now turning their focus to golf, aiming to create a competition that combines credibility with spectacle.
“Having competed at the highest level of sport, I know the power of bringing world-class talent together on one stage,” said Bhupathi. “The Stars Golf League unites legends, champions, and icons in a way golf has never seen before. Fans will feel the same thrill that athletes live for.”
Hemali Sharma added: “This isn’t just another tournament; it’s a celebration of sport at its highest level. By bringing together legendary golfers, leading women professionals, and global icons, we are creating something competitive and unforgettable.”
Abbas Muni, co-founder and CEO, highlighted the league’s global ambition:
“The Stars Golf League is built on a simple vision: to create a sporting experience that blends competition, camaraderie, and star power. We want golf to feel inclusive, inspiring, and entertaining—not just for fans in Dubai, but worldwide.”
Among the most anticipated participants, Kapil Dev expressed his delight at being part of the inaugural edition:
“I am elated to know that the Stars Golf League is happening next year in Dubai. I just want to wish everybody all the luck and to the organizers my best wishes. It’s a fantastic initiative.”
For cricket and golf fans alike, Kapil’s presence alongside Yuvraj Singh and de Villiers is sure to generate added excitement, as familiar heroes take their competitive edge onto a new stage.
That the SGL is being launched in Dubai comes as no surprise. The city has built a reputation as a global sporting hub, hosting everything from T20 cricket leagues to world-class tennis, football, and combat sports. With the SGL, golf now joins the roster, positioned not only as a sport but also as a lifestyle experience. The Els Club Dubai, one of the Middle East’s most scenic courses, will provide the backdrop, transforming into a four-day festival of sport and entertainment.
With its mix of major champions, women’s professionals, cricketing and footballing legends, and a multi-million-dollar prize pool, the Stars Golf League represents a bold step for the sport. For Indian fans, the presence of Kapil Dev, Yuvraj Singh, Jeev Milkha Singh, and Diksha Dagar ensures a strong national connection, while international icons add glamour and competitive heft. From March 25–28, 2026, Dubai will be the epicenter of a new sporting experiment one that combines tradition, innovation, and star power in equal measure.
The stage is set, the stars are ready, and the greens await history.
