The James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational today announced that NFL legends Cris Carter (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013) and Rondé Barber (Class of 2023) will join the field for the 2026 tournament taking place March 2 – 8, 2026, at The Old Course at Broken Sound in Boca Raton, FL.
Now in its second year, the event pairs PGA Tour Champions professionals with football legends for a one-of-a-kind week of golf and gridiron star power. The event offers spectators unprecedented access – walking alongside pros and Hall of Famers in the only tournament in the world where PGA Tour Champions professionals and Pro Football Hall of Famers compete side by side.
A total of 26 football legends and 78 PGA Tour Champions players will participate in the three-day tournament, which will be broadcast live on Golf Channel, along with a week of parties, fan events, and community celebrations. Tickets are available now at JamesHardieInvitational.com.
Carter, a fourth-round pick in the 1987 NFL Supplemental Draft, became one of the most prolific wide receivers in league history. During his 16-season career with Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Miami, he recorded 1,101 receptions for 13,899 yards and 130 touchdowns, ranking second all-time in touchdowns at the time of his retirement. An eight-time Pro Bowler, Carter was named to the league’s 1990s All-Decade Team and remains celebrated for his precision, durability, and consistency on the field.
“We have two great organizations coming together – the Champions Tour and the Pro Football Hall of Fame – to play in the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational. It’s happening in Boca Raton, FL., where I reside,’’ Carter said.
Barber spent his entire 16-year NFL career with Tampa, where he became the only player in league history with at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks. Known for his toughness and longevity, Barber holds the record for 215 consecutive starts at cornerback and helped lead Tampa to a 2002 championship season. A five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and member of the league’s 2000s All-Decade Team, Barber is recognized as one of the most complete defensive backs in league history.
Tournament week kicks off with Women’s Day. It continues with fan-favorite events, including the Legends Shootout presented by AutoNation – where fans can walk alongside Hall of Famers as they go head-to-head in a five-hole skins game – and the Championship Pro-Ams on March 4 and 5, featuring football legends paired with amateur golfers.
Tournament rounds on March 6 – 8 will be televised live on Golf Channel. Defending champion Tim Brown (Class of 2015) returns after winning the inaugural football division with PGA Tour Champions pro Tim O’Neal at 14-under par. On the professional side, Ángel Cabrera will look to defend his 2025 title after securing his first U.S. win since 2014 and a $330,000 purse.
The Invitational supports cornerstone charities including the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, Habitat for Humanity® of Greater Palm Beach County, and First Tee – Florida Gold Coast, reinforcing the event’s strong community commitment in line with James Hardie’s purpose of Building a Better Future for All. In 2025, the tournament raised $630,000 for charity.
Photo: Rondé Barber (James Hardie Pro Football of Fame Invitational)
