The draft serves as the official launchpad for the 2026 MoonPay X Games League season, a year-round, global, team-based format designed to provide a structured narrative and consistent schedule for fans and sponsors alike. With 40 athletes to be selected from a pool of 180 who opted into the draft, the stakes are high for both the competitors and the general managers tasked with building balanced, high-performance rosters. The event will be broadcast across a diverse array of digital platforms, including the ESPN App in the United States and globally via The Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, Kick.com, and the X Games TV FAST Channel on Amazon, ensuring a massive reach for this historic milestone.
The Structural Evolution of the X Games League
The transition to a league format represents a strategic pivot for the X Games brand, which has historically relied on biannual "tentpole" events in the summer and winter. By introducing the MoonPay X Games League, the organization is adopting a model more akin to traditional professional sports leagues such as the NFL or NBA. This structure is designed to foster deeper fan engagement through team identities and city-based rivalries, which have been largely absent from action sports.
Each X Games Club (XC) will consist of 10 athletes, strictly divided between five men and five women. This commitment to gender parity is a cornerstone of the new league, ensuring that female athletes receive equal visibility and opportunity within the professional team framework. The inaugural season will feature four foundational clubs representing major international hubs: XC Los Angeles, XC New York, XC São Paulo, and XC Tokyo. These cities were selected not only for their massive fan bases but also for their historical significance to the culture of skateboarding, BMX, and freestyle disciplines.
The draft process itself has been meticulously organized to ensure fairness and competitive balance. Earlier this month, a randomized lottery was held to determine the selection order for the five rounds of drafting. XC New York secured the coveted first overall pick, followed by XC Los Angeles, XC Tokyo, and finally XC São Paulo. Each general manager will have five rounds to select eight athletes, navigating the complexities of discipline specialization and team chemistry.
Leadership and Strategic Vision: The General Managers
The success of the XGL depends heavily on the expertise of its leadership. The league has appointed four general managers who bring decades of experience and credibility to their respective clubs. Their selections on Thursday night will dictate the competitive landscape for the upcoming summer season.
Sharalee “Haze” Hazen, leading XC Los Angeles, brings a deep understanding of the West Coast action sports scene, where many of the industry’s top talents are based. In contrast, Steve Rodriguez, the architect of XC New York, is widely recognized as a pioneer of East Coast skateboarding, known for his influence on urban skate culture and infrastructure.
The international clubs are led by equally formidable figures. Bob Burnquist, the legendary Brazilian skateboarder and one of the most decorated athletes in X Games history, will helm XC São Paulo. His involvement is expected to galvanize the massive South American audience, where action sports enjoy immense popularity. Rounding out the leadership is Harumi Suzuki for XC Tokyo, who represents the rapidly growing Asian market, a region that has seen a surge in elite talent following the inclusion of skateboarding and BMX in the Olympic Games.
A High-Stakes Talent Pool
The draft pool of 180 athletes represents the pinnacle of modern action sports. Among the most anticipated names is Tom Schaar, a skateboarding prodigy known for his versatility across transition and park disciplines. Schaar’s ability to consistently deliver high-scoring runs makes him a prime candidate for a top-tier selection.
In the BMX category, Hannah Roberts, a two-time X Games gold medalist, remains a dominant force. Her technical precision and consistency in BMX Park have made her a household name, and she is expected to be a cornerstone for whichever club secures her talents. Similarly, Kevin Peraza, known for his creative flair and cross-discipline expertise, offers a strategic advantage to teams looking for multifaceted competitors.
The draft also highlights the rise of the next generation, exemplified by teenage skateboarding sensation Arisa Trew. Trew’s recent performances have shattered records, and her inclusion in the draft underscores the league’s focus on the future of the sport. Veterans like Nyjah Huston, a 15-time X Games gold medalist and one of the most recognizable figures in skateboarding, add a level of "star power" and experience that will be vital for team branding and mentorship.
Timeline of the Inaugural 2026 Summer Season
Following the conclusion of the draft, the MoonPay X Games League will embark on a rigorous summer schedule that takes the competition to iconic venues across the globe. The timeline for the 2026 season is as follows:
- March 12, 2026: The XGL Draft at Cosm Los Angeles.
- June 26, 2026: The Summer Season begins in Sacramento, California. This opening event will serve as the first test of the new team format, with athletes competing for points that contribute to their club’s cumulative total.
- July 4–5, 2026: X Games Japan. The league moves to the international stage, highlighting the global reach of the XC Tokyo franchise and the worldwide appeal of the sport.
- July 24–26, 2026: The MoonPay X Games League Championship at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. This culminating event will see the four clubs battle for the ultimate title. The team with the highest cumulative score across all three events will be crowned the inaugural XGL champion and awarded a substantial team purse.
The league has also confirmed that while the 2026 season focuses on summer disciplines, winter sports will be integrated into the format starting in 2027, creating a year-round competitive cycle that ensures action sports remain in the public consciousness regardless of the season.
Technological Integration and Commercial Partnerships
The choice of Cosm Los Angeles as the draft venue is indicative of the league’s forward-thinking approach to fan experience. Cosm’s "Shared Reality" technology offers an immersive environment that blends the physical and digital worlds, providing a backdrop that matches the high-energy, tech-forward nature of the X Games.
The league’s commercial viability is bolstered by a suite of high-profile partners. MoonPay, the title sponsor, reflects the increasing intersection of action sports and fintech/Web3 technologies. Founding partner Monster Energy continues its long-standing association with the X Games, while additional support comes from Stake, Exodus, 805, High Noon, and Kraken Rum. These partnerships provide the financial infrastructure necessary to support the professionalization of the athletes and the expansion of the league’s broadcasting capabilities.
Broader Implications for the Action Sports Industry
The move to a league format is more than just a branding exercise; it is a fundamental shift in how action sports are commercialized and consumed. By creating a team-based narrative, the X Games League is addressing several long-standing challenges in the industry.
First, the league provides athletes with a more stable professional environment. Historically, action sports athletes relied heavily on individual sponsorships and volatile prize purses. A team structure allows for more consistent support systems, including coaching, travel logistics, and shared marketing resources.
Second, the regionalization of teams (LA, NY, São Paulo, Tokyo) creates built-in fan bases. In traditional sports, loyalty is often tied to geography. By anchoring teams in major cities, the XGL is tapping into existing urban cultures and providing fans with a reason to tune in even when their favorite individual athlete is not competing.
Finally, the inclusion of a coed draft is a significant step forward for gender equity in sports. While the X Games has long been a leader in providing platforms for female athletes, the XGL mandate of five men and five women per team ensures that gender parity is baked into the very DNA of the league. This move is expected to inspire a new generation of female competitors and broaden the league’s appeal to a more diverse demographic.
As the draft begins this Thursday, the eyes of the sporting world will be on Hollywood Park. The formation of these four clubs marks the beginning of a journey that could redefine the professional trajectory of action sports for decades to come. With a blend of legendary icons and rising stars, the MoonPay X Games League is set to prove that the spirit of extreme sports can thrive within the structure of a professional league.
