PGTI's new franchise league pairs competitive play with couture blazers and entertainment, betting style can broaden the sport's appeal
The Professional Golf Tour of India is launching '72 The League,' the country's first franchise-based professional golf competition, and it's doing so with an unusual twist: a bespoke blazer designed by celebrity fashion duo Shantnu Nikhil that's as much about making a statement off the course as on it.
The collaboration signals an ambitious attempt to reinvent professional golf in India as something more than a sporting event—positioning it instead as a lifestyle brand that blends athletic excellence with high fashion and entertainment.
A Blazer As Brand identity
At the heart of this identity sits The Gentleman's Jacket, a custom-designed navy blazer created exclusively for the league's six franchise owners and the eventual championship team. It's a reimagining of the traditional sporting blazer, featuring crisp white piping along the lapel, pockets and hem, with a custom '72' insignia badge and illustrated golfers on the interior lining—a nod to what the designers call "the rhythm and grace of the sport."
"The jacket reflects the ethos of golf where discipline, precision and quiet confidence take centre stage," according to the league's announcement, describing Shantnu Nikhil's signature approach of balancing structure with ease.
Beyond The Fairways
But the couture partnership is merely the most visible element of a broader strategy to transform how professional golf is consumed in India. Launching February 21, 2026, in partnership with Game of Life Sports, the league will feature a broadcast-first, fan-forward format designed to appeal to audiences beyond traditional golf enthusiasts.
The inaugural season will unfold across three prestigious Delhi NCR courses—Classic Golf & Country Club, Jaypee Greens and Qutab Golf Course—with each city-based franchise fielding ten professional players selected through a transparent auction process. It's being billed as one of the largest competitive platforms for Indian professional golfers.
The Entertainment Gamble
The league's architects are betting that a fast-paced match-play format, combined with immersive fan zones, Pro-Am events, live entertainment and behind-the-scenes digital content, can broaden golf's appeal in a country where the sport has traditionally been associated with exclusive clubs and limited accessibility.
Whether the formula works remains to be seen. India's sports landscape is littered with ambitious league experiments—some, like the Indian Premier League in cricket, have revolutionized their sports, while others have struggled to sustain momentum beyond initial seasons.
What's clear is that '72 The League' is positioning itself at an intersection that few Indian sporting properties have attempted to occupy: where athletic competition meets fashion-forward branding and experiential entertainment. The Gentleman's Jacket, in this context, becomes more than apparel—it's a symbol of aspiration, suggesting that professional golf in India is ready for its closeup.