This landmark event, scheduled for Thursday, March 12, 2026, marks a transformative shift in the professional landscape of action sports. For the first time in the history of the X Games, the traditional individual-competitor model will evolve into a structured league format known as the X Games League (XGL). The draft will take place at Cosm Los Angeles, a state-of-the-art "shared reality" venue located within Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium. This inaugural selection process will see the world’s premier skateboarders and BMX riders—encompassing both men’s and women’s divisions—drafted into four global teams, establishing the foundation for the 2026 XGL Summer Season.
The draft serves as the official launchpad for a new era of competitive action sports, designed to provide athletes with more consistent competitive opportunities and to offer fans a narrative-driven team structure similar to traditional major league sports. The event will be broadcast across a wide array of digital and streaming platforms to ensure maximum global reach, including the ESPN App, The Roku Sports Channel, X Games on YouTube, Kick.com, and the X Games TV Fast channel on Amazon. The live broadcast is scheduled to run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. PT, providing a two-hour window into the strategic selections that will define the upcoming season.
Strategic Evolution of the X Games League
The transition to the X Games League (XGL) represents a significant investment in the infrastructure of action sports. By moving toward a team-based "Club" model, the X Games organization aims to foster regional loyalties and create a more sustainable economic environment for athletes. Each of the four inaugural XGL Clubs will select a total of ten athletes to build their rosters, carefully balancing disciplines such as Street, Park, Vert, and Big Air.
This restructuring is bolstered by the partnership with MoonPay, a leader in the fintech and Web3 space. The collaboration signifies a modernization of the X Games brand, leveraging new technologies to engage a younger, digitally native audience. The use of Cosm Los Angeles as the venue further emphasizes this tech-forward approach; the facility’s immersive 8K LED dome will provide attendees with a sensory experience that bridges the gap between a live event and a high-definition broadcast.
Broadcast Talent and Production Leadership
To maintain the high production standards associated with the X Games brand, a veteran roster of on-air talent has been assembled. The broadcast will be led by Selema Masekela, the most recognized voice in action sports. Masekela, a renowned journalist and producer, has been the face of the X Games for over two decades, and his return as the Draft Host provides a sense of continuity and prestige to the new league format.
Joining Masekela are specialized analysts who bring decades of technical expertise to the broadcast:
- BMX Analyst Jimmy Coleman: A fixture of the X Games broadcast team since 2000, Coleman’s experience spans both summer and winter events. His deep knowledge of BMX and Moto X mechanics will be essential in explaining the strategic value of draft picks to the viewing audience.
- Skate Analyst Brandon Graham: A Bay Area native who joined the X Games team in 2013, Graham has specialized in play-by-play for Skateboard and Snowboard competitions. His expertise in technical trick execution will help viewers understand the nuances of the skaters being selected.
- Red Carpet Host Aimee Fuller: A former professional snowboarder and two-time Olympian, Fuller made history as the first woman to land a double backflip in competition. Since her retirement from professional snowboarding, she has transitioned into a respected international presenter, and her role on the red carpet will focus on athlete interviews and the fashion-forward culture of action sports.
Elite Athlete Pool: Men’s Skateboarding
The draft pool features a mix of legendary veterans and dominant contemporary champions. In the men’s skateboarding category, the talent is headlined by Nyjah Huston, widely considered the most successful street skater in history. With 15 X Games gold medals—tying him with legends Shaun White and Garrett Reynolds—Huston’s selection is expected to be a primary focus for the team managers. His recent double gold in Street and Street Best Trick at X Games Ventura 2024 underscored his continued dominance in the discipline.
Joining Huston in the elite pool is Tom Schaar, a Malibu native who has been competing at the X Games since age 12. Schaar is a rare multi-discipline talent, holding 16 medals across Big Air, Vert, and Park. His versatility makes him a high-value asset for any XGL Club looking to secure points across various event formats.
Jagger Eaton, a double threat in both Park and Street, also enters the draft with a formidable resume. Eaton’s ability to pivot between the technical requirements of Street and the high-flying demands of Park has earned him multiple gold medals at X Games Chiba and California. Rounding out the top men’s skate prospects is Dashawn Jordan, the 2021 Street gold medalist known for his high-stakes consistency and style.
Elite Athlete Pool: Women’s Skateboarding
The women’s skateboarding division reflects the rapid progression and globalization of the sport. Chloe Covell, the Australian sensation, enters the draft as one of the most decorated young athletes in the world. After debuting at age 12, Covell quickly ascended to the top of the podium, winning consecutive Street gold medals at X Games California 2023, Chiba 2024, and Osaka 2025.
Another standout Australian is Arisa Trew, who made history in 2023 as the first woman to land a 720 on a skateboard. Trew currently holds seven X Games gold medals, tying the record for the most summer medals won by a female athlete. Her technical progression has set a new benchmark for the Park and Vert disciplines.
Elite Athlete Pool: BMX Disciplines
The BMX draft pool is equally prestigious, featuring athletes who have redefined the boundaries of the sport. Kevin Peraza, a Tucson native, is the only athlete to have won X Games gold in Dirt, Park, and Street. His 11 medals and historic performance of earning three medals at back-to-back X Games make him a versatile "utility" pick for the inaugural teams.
Logan Martin and Ryan Williams, both representing Australia, bring a high level of competitive pedigree to the draft. Martin is a six-time gold medalist who has reached the podium in every one of his nine X Games Park appearances. Williams, a crossover star from the world of Nitro Circus, holds 11 gold medals and is known for inventing many of the tricks currently seen in Big Air and MegaPark competitions.
The women’s BMX category features Olympic-level talent, including Hannah Roberts, a six-time world champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist. Roberts has dominated the Park discipline, recently securing gold at X Games Salt Lake City 2025. She is joined by Perris Benegas, a pioneer of women’s park riding, and Charlotte Worthington of the United Kingdom, who became the first woman to land a 360-degree backflip in competition during her gold-medal run at the Tokyo Olympics.
Venue and Event Logistics
The choice of Cosm Los Angeles at Hollywood Park is strategic. As a venue, Cosm offers a unique "Shared Reality" experience, utilizing a 26.6-meter diameter LED dome. For the draft, this technology will be used to display real-time statistics, athlete bios, and immersive replays of career-defining moments.
While the draft is primarily an invite-only industry event, the X Games organization has released a limited number of "Superfan" tickets. These tickets provide public access to the event, allowing fans to witness the formation of the four global teams firsthand. The inclusion of a red carpet segment further aligns the event with the presentation style of the NBA or NFL drafts, signaling a move toward the professionalization and "mainstreaming" of action sports culture.
Chronology and Timeline of the XGL Launch
The March 12 draft is the culmination of a multi-year planning phase intended to revitalize the X Games brand under new leadership. The timeline leading up to this event included:
- Summer 2024: Announcement of the X Games League (XGL) concept following the success of X Games Ventura.
- Autumn 2024: Formalization of the partnership with MoonPay and the selection of the four inaugural Club owners.
- Winter 2025: Finalization of the 2026 Summer Season schedule and athlete eligibility criteria.
- January 2026: Official unveiling of the four global team identities and logos.
- March 12, 2026: The Inaugural MoonPay XGL Summer Draft.
Following the draft, the teams will enter a training camp period before the 2026 Summer Season officially commences. The season is expected to feature a series of global stops where teams will compete for points in a cumulative leaderboard format.
Implications for the Action Sports Industry
The shift to a league format has significant implications for athlete compensation and sponsorship. Historically, action sports athletes have relied heavily on individual endorsement deals and "winner-take-all" contest purses. The XGL model introduces the potential for team-based salaries, performance bonuses, and more stable year-round visibility.
Industry analysts suggest that this move could attract a new tier of corporate sponsors who prefer the stability and structured schedule of a league over the fragmented nature of independent tours. Furthermore, the inclusion of women’s disciplines on equal footing within the draft highlights a commitment to gender equity that has become a hallmark of the modern X Games era.
As the 2026 MoonPay XGL Summer Draft approaches, the focus remains on how these four teams will be constructed. With a talent pool that includes Olympic gold medalists, world record holders, and X Games legends, the draft will not only determine the rosters for the upcoming season but will also set the tone for the future of action sports as a professionalized, global team endeavor.
