The second day of the MoonPay X Games Sacramento 2026 marked a pivotal moment in action sports history as the event officially integrated its new league-based, team-centric format. Under clear skies and before a capacity crowd at the heart of California’s capital, elite athletes across seven disciplines competed not only for individual glory but for the standing of their respective franchises. The day was defined by record-breaking performances from teenage sensations, the continued dominance of established icons, and a technological milestone in the Moto X category. As the competition progressed from the morning’s technical skateboarding heats to the high-octane BMX and Moto X finals under the lights, the atmosphere solidified Sacramento’s position as a premier hub for the modern X Games era.
The Evolution of Competition: The X Games League (XGL)
The 2026 season represents the most significant structural overhaul in the 31-year history of the X Games. The introduction of the X Games League (XGL) has moved the competition away from a purely individual "free agent" model toward a city-based franchise system. Teams such as XC São Paulo, XC New York, XC Tokyo, and XC Los Angeles now provide a narrative framework for the weekend’s events. This shift is designed to mirror the stability and fan loyalty seen in traditional major league sports while maintaining the creative freedom inherent in action sports. Day Two showcased the tactical depth of this new format, as teams strategized to maximize podium points across multiple disciplines to secure the inaugural seasonal lead.
Skateboarding Vert: Khury and Trew Set Historical Milestones
The Skateboard Vert ramp remains the spiritual heart of the X Games, and on Day Two, the discipline saw two of its most prolific young stars etch their names further into the record books.
In the MoonPay Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick, 17-year-old Gui Khury, representing XC São Paulo, demonstrated remarkable resilience. Despite competing with a fractured wrist, Khury secured the gold medal on his first attempt by landing a technical kickflip body varial 900. This victory marks Khury’s sixth consecutive gold in the discipline and his tenth gold medal overall. At just 17, Khury is now the most decorated teenager in the history of the X Games with 16 total medals. Analysts note that Khury’s ability to execute high-rotation maneuvers with a physical handicap underscores the escalating level of professionalism in youth skateboarding.
The women’s division saw a similar feat of dominance. Arisa Trew, representing XC Tokyo, claimed her second gold medal of the Sacramento weekend in the MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick. Her Switch McTwist in the opening run set a benchmark that remained untouched throughout the finals. With this win, Trew has accumulated 10 career X Games gold medals, tying the legendary Lindsey Jacobellis for the most gold medals won by a woman in the event’s history. The podium was a testament to the international reach of the sport, featuring 15-year-old Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) taking silver and 11-year-old Mia Kretzer (XC LA) taking bronze.
Technical Mastery in Street and Park Disciplines
The Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street competition highlighted the emerging rivalry between established legends and the next generation of technical skaters. Ginwoo Onodera, the 16-year-old sensation for XC New York, took gold with a run that prioritized high-risk technicality over traditional power. His sequence included a switch frontside 270 frontside bluntslide to fakie and a kickflip frontside bluntslide to bigspin off the large handrail.
Onodera’s victory came at the expense of Nyjah Huston, also of XC New York, who earned silver. Huston remains one gold medal shy of tying BMX icon Garrett Reynolds for the all-time gold medal record. The bronze medal was awarded to Juni Kang, a free agent who became the first Korean skateboarder to medal in X Games history. This podium sweep for XC New York significantly boosted the team’s standing in the overall league points race.
In the Men’s Skateboard Park final, Gavin Bottger successfully defended his title. Bottger, competing as a free agent, utilized the entire park layout, blending technical lip tricks with massive airs, including a switch backside tailgrab 360 over the hip. The silver medal went to rookie Egoitz Bijueska, marking the first time a Spanish athlete has reached an X Games skateboarding podium, further illustrating the sport’s global expansion.
BMX and Moto X: Innovation and Hometown Heroics
The Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick event was a showcase of Australian dominance and creative innovation. Ryan Williams (XC São Paulo) claimed his 12th career gold medal by landing a "never-before-done" (NBD) trick: an alley-oop 540 frontflip flair on the vert wall. Williams colloquially named the maneuver the "Oliver Twist" in honor of his contemporary, Oliver Tree. The event saw an Australian 1-2 finish, as Logan Martin (XC New York) took silver with a decade 540 flair, an impressive feat considering Martin was recovering from a recent bout of pneumonia.
The BMX Dirt competition provided the day’s most emotional moment. Brady Baker, representing XC Los Angeles but hailing from the Sacramento region, captured gold in front of a hometown crowd. Baker’s victory over rival Ryan Williams was a highlight for local spectators and added a significant narrative layer to the Los Angeles-based franchise’s weekend. Baker noted in post-event interviews that winning in his home city, with family in attendance, represented the pinnacle of his career to date.
Perhaps the most technologically significant event of the day was Moto X Best Trick. Patrick Evans secured gold with a Nak-Nak no-hander front flip, but the headline was his machinery: Evans was riding the only electric motorcycle in the competition. His victory marks a potential turning point for the industry, proving that electric powertrains can provide the necessary torque and reliability for the most demanding freestyle maneuvers. Evans’ score of 95.66 edged out Ben Richards, who took silver, and veteran Rob Adelberg, who earned his 21st career medal with a bronze.
Chronology of Day Two Results
| Discipline | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick | Gui Khury (XC SP) | Soya Inomata (Free Agent) | Ema Kawakami (Free Agent) |
| Men’s Skateboard Street | Ginwoo Onodera (XC NY) | Nyjah Huston (XC NY) | Juni Kang (Free Agent) |
| BMX Park Best Trick | Ryan Williams (XC SP) | Logan Martin (XC NY) | Daniel Sandoval (XC NY) |
| Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick | Arisa Trew (XC Tokyo) | Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) | Mia Kretzer (XC LA) |
| Men’s Skateboard Park | Gavin Bottger (Free Agent) | Egoitz Bijueska (Free Agent) | Tom Schaar (XC LA) |
| Moto X Best Trick | Patrick Evans | Ben Richards | Rob Adelberg |
| Men’s BMX Dirt | Brady Baker (XC LA) | Ryan Williams (XC SP) | Logan Martin (XC NY) |
Cultural Impact and Entertainment Integration
The X Games has long functioned as a bridge between elite athletics and youth culture. Saturday’s schedule concluded with high-energy musical performances by Mustard and Subtronics. Mustard, a five-time Grammy Award-winning producer, brought a West Coast hip-hop influence to the Sacramento venue, while Subtronics provided a set rooted in electronic dance music. The inclusion of these artists is a strategic move by X Games leadership to maintain the festival-style atmosphere that differentiates the event from traditional sports championships. By integrating music and "lifestyle" elements, the X Games continues to attract a demographic that values the intersection of sport, art, and technology.
Analysis of Implications
The results of Day Two suggest several trends that will likely shape the future of action sports. First, the "youth quake" is no longer a temporary surge but a permanent shift. The average age of the podium finishers in the skateboarding disciplines was under 18, indicating that the technical ceiling of the sport is being pushed higher by athletes who have not yet reached adulthood.
Second, the success of the team-based format (XGL) in its debut weekend appears to be resonating with fans. The regional rivalries—particularly between the New York and São Paulo franchises—have created a structured competitive environment that is easier for casual viewers to follow.
Finally, the victory of an electric motorcycle in Moto X Best Trick cannot be overstated. As global environmental regulations tighten and noise ordinances affect where freestyle motocross can be practiced, the transition to electric power is becoming a necessity. Patrick Evans’ gold medal provides the competitive validation needed for manufacturers to accelerate the development of high-performance electric dirt bikes.
Looking Ahead to the Final Day
MoonPay X Games Sacramento 2026 enters its final day on Sunday, June 28. The schedule includes highly anticipated finals for Women’s Skateboard Street, Men’s Skateboard Vert, and the Men’s BMX Dirt Best Trick. As teams vie for the final points needed to claim the top spot in the XGL standings, the focus remains on whether veterans like Nyjah Huston can reclaim their dominance or if the record-breaking trajectory of stars like Arisa Trew and Gui Khury will continue unabated. The event will be broadcast across ABC and ESPN platforms, ensuring a global audience for the conclusion of this landmark weekend in Sacramento.
