The evening’s proceedings were anchored by the selection of 40 elite athletes from a pool of over 180 eligible participants. These athletes, representing eight different nations and spanning ages from 11 to 35, were divided among four foundation clubs: XC New York, XC Los Angeles, XC Tokyo, and XC São Paulo. This selection process not only establishes the inaugural rosters but also introduces a new era of athlete compensation and team loyalty within disciplines that have historically been individual-focused.
The First Round: A Global Talent Acquisition
The draft commenced with XC New York General Manager Steve Rodriguez making the historic first selection. Rodriguez, a veteran figure in the East Coast skateboarding scene, chose 16-year-old Australian skateboarding sensation Chloe Covell as the number one overall pick. Covell, already a multi-time X Games medalist, represents the next generation of technical street skaters. Her selection as the top pick underscores the league’s emphasis on youth and the rising dominance of international talent in the sport.
Following New York, XC Los Angeles General Manager Sharalee “Haze” Hazen utilized the second pick to secure Tom Schaar. A Southern California native and 17-time X Games medalist, Schaar brings both local appeal and veteran experience to the Los Angeles roster. The third pick, made by XC Tokyo General Manager Harumi Suzuki, saw another Australian phenom, Arisa Trew, join the league. Trew, an eight-time gold medalist who recently made history by landing the first 720 and 900 by a female skater in competition, is expected to be a cornerstone for the Tokyo franchise.
The first round concluded with action sports legend Bob Burnquist, General Manager of XC São Paulo, selecting Brazilian prodigy Gui Khury. At just 15 years old, Khury already holds 15 X Games medals and is recognized for his vertical and park proficiency. By securing Khury, XC São Paulo has anchored its team with a local hero and one of the most prolific medalists in the modern era.
Reimagining the Action Sports Business Model
The transition to a league format is a strategic move by X Games leadership to stabilize the brand’s presence in the sports media market. For three decades, the X Games operated as a "tentpole" event series, drawing massive audiences twice a year but often struggling to maintain consistent engagement during the off-season. The MoonPay X Games League addresses this by implementing a year-round schedule, team branding, and a points-based championship race.
Jeremy Bloom, a key figure in the league’s development, noted that the creation of teams and rivalries is essential for the long-term growth of action sports. By organizing athletes into clubs based in major global markets—New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and São Paulo—the league aims to tap into regional loyalties and create a "home-and-away" atmosphere that mirrors traditional professional sports leagues like the NBA or Premier League.
Each club is required to maintain a balanced roster of ten athletes: five men and five women. This 50/50 gender split is a mandatory component of the XGL structure, ensuring equal representation and competitive parity across all events. This move has been widely praised by industry analysts as a progressive step that reflects the actual demographic shift within skateboarding and BMX communities globally.
Technological Integration and Immersive Fan Experience
The choice of Cosm Los Angeles as the draft venue was a deliberate integration of technology and sport. Cosm’s facility features a massive "Shared Reality" LED dome that provides a cinematic, high-definition environment. During the draft, this technology was used to display real-time statistics, athlete highlights, and immersive environments that placed the 500 invited guests at the center of the action.
Beyond the physical venue, the draft was broadcast via a multi-platform digital strategy. Streaming live on the ESPN App, The Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, Kick, and the X Games TV FAST Channel on Amazon, the event reached a global audience. This diversified distribution model reflects the shifting viewing habits of the X Games’ core demographic, which skews younger and more digitally native than traditional sports audiences.
The league’s title partnership with MoonPay also introduces a significant technological component: digital asset integration. In a first-of-its-kind move for action sports, athletes drafted into the XGL received signing bonuses delivered via the Exodus self-custody crypto wallet platform. This integration of Web3 technology serves two purposes: it provides athletes with immediate, borderless compensation and aligns the league with the tech-forward interests of its fanbase.
Roster Depth and Notable Selections
While the first-round picks garnered the most attention, the subsequent four rounds of the draft filled out rosters with a mix of established legends and rising stars. Notable selections included:
- Nyjah Huston: One of the most decorated skateboarders in history, Huston’s inclusion in the league provides immediate competitive credibility and star power.
- Hannah Roberts: A dominant force in BMX Freestyle, Roberts brings Olympic-level talent to the league’s BMX contingent.
- Kevin Peraza: Known for his versatility across BMX Park and Dirt, Peraza is expected to be a high-point earner for his respective club.
The pool of 180 athletes who opted into the draft process indicates high industry confidence in the new format. Athletes are no longer just competing for individual prize purses; they are now part of a collective effort to secure the league championship, which comes with its own set of financial incentives and prestige.
The 2026 Season Timeline
The inaugural MoonPay X Games League Summer Season is scheduled to begin on June 26 in Sacramento, California. This opening event will serve as the first opportunity for the newly formed clubs to compete as units. The season will then move internationally, with X Games Japan taking place on July 4–5, showcasing the global nature of the XC Tokyo franchise.
The season will culminate in a championship event held from July 24–26 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This finale will determine the first-ever XGL Champion based on a cumulative scoring system throughout the season. The choice of the Superdome—a venue synonymous with major American sporting events like the Super Bowl—further emphasizes the league’s ambition to elevate action sports to the highest tier of professional competition.
Analysis: Implications for the Industry
The launch of the XGL comes at a pivotal time for action sports. With skateboarding and BMX now firmly established in the Olympic program, there is an increased demand for professional structures that can support athletes between Olympic cycles. The XGL provides this structure, offering a platform for athletes to build their personal brands within a team framework while maintaining the "core" culture that has defined the X Games since its inception in 1995.
From a commercial perspective, the league format offers sponsors a more predictable and sustained marketing window. Instead of a one-week activation twice a year, partners like MoonPay, Monster Energy, and Stake can now engage with fans over a multi-month season. This "always-on" approach is likely to attract a broader range of non-endemic sponsors who have previously been hesitant to invest in the fragmented action sports market.
Furthermore, the emphasis on city-based clubs (New York, LA, Tokyo, São Paulo) creates a foundation for future expansion. If the inaugural season proves successful, industry insiders expect the league to expand into other markets like London, Paris, or Sydney, further solidifying the X Games as a truly global sports entity.
Closing the Evening in Hollywood Park
The draft night concluded with a celebration on the rooftop of the Cosm venue, overlooking the Hollywood Park complex. The evening was capped by a performance from Grammy-winning producer BNYX, highlighting the intersection of sports and contemporary culture.
As the athletes prepare for the season opener in Sacramento, the focus shifts from the excitement of the draft to the rigors of team competition. For Chloe Covell and her fellow draftees, the 2026 season represents more than just another contest; it is the beginning of a professionalized journey that could redefine what it means to be an action sports athlete in the 21st century. The foundation has been laid in Los Angeles, and the sports world now looks toward the summer to see how these newly formed alliances will perform on the world stage.
