The iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans transformed into a high-octane arena of elite athleticism as the inaugural MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship officially commenced. Gathering more than 80 of the globe’s premier action sports competitors representing 16 countries, the three-day weekend championship features 20 distinct medal events spanning skateboarding, BMX, Moto X, and the historic debut of competitive scootering.
As the sun beat down on Louisiana on July 24, 2026, the historic venue echoed with the roars of thousands of passionate fans witnessing a new era for action sports. The event marks not only a premier showcase of individual talent but also serves as a pivotal stage for the newly minted MoonPay X Games League (XGL), the world’s first year-round, team-based, coed action sports league. Integrating geographic identity with world-class talent, the XGL has introduced structured team standings, altering the traditional landscape of extreme sports by fostering season-long storylines and deep collective stakes.
Day One Standings and the XGL Team Race
Following the conclusion of Friday’s events, the XGL championship standings have begun to take shape. X Games Club (XC) Tokyo has established an early frontrunner status, claiming the top spot on the leaderboard with 1,970 points. Hot on their heels is XC New York, holding strong in second place with 1,880 points. Meanwhile, international representation remains fierce as XC São Paulo secures third place with 1,710 points, followed closely by XC Los Angeles rounding out the initial standings with 1,610 points.
The introduction of the XGL format has fundamentally altered how athletes approach their runs, blending individual glory with the strategic necessity of accumulating crucial team points. With two days of intense competition remaining in New Orleans, the shifting dynamics of the leaderboard promise high-stakes drama for both athletes and spectators alike.
Garrett Reynolds Extends Legend Status in Monster Energy Men’s BMX Street
The competitive slate for Day One opened with a historic performance in the Monster Energy Men’s BMX Street competition. Garrett Reynolds, representing XC São Paulo, delivered a masterclass in technical street riding to capture the gold medal.
At 35 years old, Reynolds stands as the oldest BMX athlete in the competitive field, yet his longevity has only fortified his dominance. The victory marks his record-breaking 19th career X Games gold medal, extending his historical lead for the most golds in X Games history—now sitting four ahead of legends Nyjah Huston and Shaun White. Furthermore, the win secures Reynolds’ 27th overall X Games medal, tying him with Huston for second place all-time, trailing only his XC São Paulo General Manager, Bob Burnquist, who holds 30. Remarkably, Reynolds has now medaled in 24 of his 26 career appearances in BMX Street.
Reflecting on his historic victory and the unexpected energy of the Louisiana crowd, Reynolds noted the mental fortitude required to secure the win.
"I was just thinking not to go too hard off the beginning and was hoping to land a run. A lot of mental toughness," Reynolds shared. "I loved hearing the Superdome crowd! I wasn’t expecting that for the first event for them to be so lively and engaged with what we were doing… When I got drafted to the team, I put a little bit more effort into just trying to get my body right and work on landing hard tricks more often."
Free agents Devon Smille and Boyd Hilder rounded out the podium, claiming the silver and bronze medals, respectively, after putting down their highest-scoring efforts in their second runs.
Hometown Heroics in Moto X Best Whip
The roar of dirt bikes filled the Caesars Superdome for the Moto X Best Whip competition, culminating in one of the most emotional moments of the weekend. Following a breakthrough bronze medal performance at the X Games in Sacramento, Louisiana native Wyatt Fontenot captured the imaginations—and votes—of the home-state crowd to secure his first-ever X Games gold medal.
As the final rider to take his run, Fontenot dropped to his knees in disbelief upon hearing the announcement that he had clinched the gold. The victory validates years of relentless dedication for the local athlete, who balanced full-time employment while pursuing elite action sports competition.
"I worked my butt off to get here. I mean, the sacrifice… everybody works hard, but the blood, sweat, and tears, I got to this point. It is unreal," an emotional Fontenot said. "From working full-time jobs, going through my second year at X Games, so now I can say, I’m a professional dirt bike rider. It’s amazing, and to do it in my home state, I’m blessed."
Age proved to be just a number in the Moto X Best Whip discipline as 44-year-old Tom Parsons secured the silver medal. Parsons, the oldest competing athlete at X Games New Orleans, added to his legacy by capturing his tenth career medal—six of which have been earned after turning 40, establishing a record among veteran riders. Belgian standout Julien Vanstippen rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish.
Making History: The First-Ever Scooter Park Best Trick Competition
In a groundbreaking addition to the X Games schedule, the Bluff Scooter Park Best Trick spotlight event made its official debut, testing the waters for potential permanent integration into future X Games lineups. Fans throughout the weekend are being given a direct voice in evaluating the sport’s viability through dedicated voting initiatives.
Jack Ward seized the moment in the inaugural event, capturing the gold medal with a breathtaking backflip double front scooter flip that left both fans and fellow competitors in awe. Cody Flom claimed the silver medal following a technically demanding frontflip flair tailwhip rewind kickless rewind, while Swiss rider Matis Neyroud secured the bronze with a flawless 360 frontflip.
For Ward, the victory was the realization of a lifelong ambition forged in front of a television screen.
"I don’t think I can really put it into words. I grew up watching the X Games with my brother and just to be here is unreal," Ward remarked. "The crowd was insane. It’s definitely the biggest crowd I’ve ever competed in front of, but once the time starts, you kind of just lock in and watch all your mates around you."
Mizuho Hasegawa Dominates MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert
Fifteen-year-old phenom Mizuho Hasegawa continued her historic 2026 campaign by capturing the gold medal in MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert, representing XC Tokyo. The victory marks her second consecutive Vert gold and the 11th overall X Games medal of her young career.
Hasegawa’s triumph in New Orleans carries immense historical weight. It marks her sixth X Games medal of the 2026 calendar year, making her the first person in history to achieve such a feat within a single year. Furthermore, the victory bolsters her lead in the XGL MVP race, having entered the weekend at the top of the individual standings with 440 points, while significantly contributing to XC Tokyo’s defense of the overall team crown. Hasegawa still has two remaining disciplines—Park and Vert Best Trick—as she aims to become the first female athlete to sweep three gold medals at a single X Games event, a feat last accomplished in 2006.
Sharing the podium was 11-year-old Mia Kretzer of XC Los Angeles—who turns 12 in October—cementing her status as the holder of nearly every "youngest" record in X Games history, including youngest athlete, medalist, and gold medalist. Independent rider Asahi Kaihara completed the podium with a composed third run.
"I focus on everything I can right now, and I will continue to do so for the other events," Hasegawa said following her win. "Honestly, I didn’t know until the last run, but I got a 93 and I was really hyped, and I’m really happy."
Juni Kang Completes 2026 Sweep in Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
Undrafted Free Agent Juni Kang capped off Day One by completing a rare 2026 sweep, securing his third consecutive gold medal in the Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick discipline this year. Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Kang utilized a completely different trick to claim gold at each of the season’s three stops.
Entering New Orleans as the top-ranked Undrafted Free Agent tied for fourth overall with 340 points, Kang’s latest victory propels him into second place in the individual standings. He remains the only Korean athlete to capture a summer X Games gold medal and has remarkably medaled in all six of his career X Games appearances.
Branden Hoban secured the silver medal with a textbook kickflip frontside feeble grind over the gap from the bump-to-rail. Meanwhile, Julian Agliardi—called up by XC New York as a replacement for action sports icon Nyjah Huston—fully capitalized on the opportunity, executing the exact same technical maneuver to claim the bronze medal.
"It feels like a dream. I can’t believe I won for the third time in a row," Kang expressed. "I’ve had a great time in New Orleans. It has a really nice vibe."
Global Broadcast Reach and Future Outlook
As the MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship presses forward into its second and third days, the structural integration of the XGL team format continues to redefine the competitive landscape. By combining individual athletic excellence with year-round franchise narratives, the league is expanding economic opportunities for athletes beyond traditional prize purses while enhancing viewer engagement across multiple media platforms.
Fans across the United States can continue to catch all the live competition coverage via ABC and ESPN, with simultaneous streaming available through the ESPN App and Disney+ for Unlimited plan subscribers. International audiences can tune in via global live streams on the Roku Sports Channel, X Games YouTube, Kick, and Amazon FAST platforms.
With foundational gold medals claimed, team rivalries intensifying, and historic milestones already established on Day One, the remainder of the New Orleans championship promises to deliver unprecedented athletic achievements as the world’s elite push the boundaries of action sports inside the Caesars Superdome.
