Aspen Snowmass and X Games have officially finalized a new three-year host agreement that secures the future of the premier winter action sports competition at Buttermilk Mountain through the 2028/29 season. This landmark extension not only solidifies a partnership that has spanned more than two decades but also serves as the foundation for the newly conceived MoonPay X Games League (XGL). The agreement represents a strategic pivot in the business model of action sports, moving from a schedule of standalone annual events toward a structured, year-round league format designed to enhance athlete compensation, fan engagement, and global brand stability.
Under the terms of the new contract, Aspen will remain the exclusive home of the Winter X Games, maintaining its status as the "crown jewel" of the circuit. The partnership, which began in 2002, has become the longest-running host relationship in the history of the X Games, transforming the quiet slopes of Buttermilk into a global epicenter for freeskiing and snowboarding culture. The upcoming cycle will be highlighted by the official launch of the inaugural XGL Winter season in January 2027, introducing a team-based competitive structure that mimics the traditional league formats of the NFL or NBA.
A Legacy of Innovation and Competition
The relationship between Aspen Snowmass and X Games is more than a mere venue agreement; it is a symbiotic partnership that has dictated the trajectory of winter sports for nearly 25 years. Since the event moved to Aspen in 2002, it has served as the stage for some of the most iconic moments in sports history, including Shaun White’s perfect scores in the halfpipe and the emergence of next-generation stars like Chloe Kim and Eileen Gu.
John Rigney, Chief Business Development Officer at Aspen One, emphasized that the decision to extend the partnership was rooted in a shared commitment to excellence. According to Rigney, Aspen Snowmass is the venue where the world’s elite freeskiers and snowboarders expect to compete at the highest levels. The commitment to a further three years ensures that the infrastructure at Buttermilk—including the world-renowned 22-foot SuperPipe and the intricate Slopestyle courses—will continue to be refined to meet the evolving technical demands of the athletes.
The X Games have historically acted as a primary driver for the evolution of trick progression. The security of a multi-year deal allows course designers and resort operations teams to invest in long-term upgrades to the facility, ensuring that the venue remains the gold standard for international competition.
The MoonPay X Games League: A New Era for Action Sports
The most significant development within this announcement is the integration of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL). Scheduled to begin its inaugural summer and winter seasons in 2026 and 2027 respectively, the XGL is a revolutionary departure from the individual-focused competition model that has defined action sports since the mid-1990s.
The league will consist of eight professional clubs—four dedicated to summer sports and four to winter sports. These clubs will feature rosters of drafted athletes who will compete as a unit to earn points throughout the season, culminating in a championship event. This shift is intended to create "season-long storylines," providing fans with a reason to follow the sport throughout the year rather than just during a single weekend in January.
The XGL is also designed to address long-standing issues regarding athlete compensation. Historically, action sports athletes have relied heavily on individual sponsorships and tournament prize purses, which can be volatile and inconsistent. The XGL model introduces a structured salary system and additional earning potential through team-based revenue sharing. This provides a level of financial security previously unavailable to many top-tier competitors, potentially extending the careers of athletes who might otherwise retire due to the financial risks of the sport.
Strategic Partnership with MoonPay
The involvement of MoonPay as the title sponsor for the league signals a deeper integration of technology and finance into the action sports ecosystem. As a leader in Web3 infrastructure, MoonPay’s partnership suggests that the future of X Games will involve enhanced digital experiences for fans, including potential integrations of blockchain technology for ticketing, memorabilia, and fan rewards.
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games and a former Olympic skier himself, noted that as the league expands its global footprint, having a stable and iconic "home base" like Aspen is critical. The "league-ification" of the X Games is part of a broader trend in niche sports—similar to the models seen in professional bull riding or formula racing—where team identity is used to foster regional loyalty and attract a broader demographic of viewers who are familiar with team-based sports structures.
Athlete Perspectives and Competitive Impact
For the athletes, the extension provides a sense of continuity. Mark McMorris, one of the most decorated snowboarders in history with 25 X Games medals, has been a vocal supporter of the new league format. Having competed in Aspen for 15 years, McMorris represents the bridge between the traditional X Games era and the new XGL era.
McMorris, who secured his 12th career gold medal in Slopestyle in 2026, highlighted the "unmatched energy" of the Aspen crowds. From a competitive standpoint, the team format adds a new layer of strategy. Athletes will no longer just be competing for personal glory; they will be contributing to a collective score, which may influence how they approach their runs. For example, a rider might choose a "safety run" to secure points for their team rather than attempting a high-risk, high-reward trick that could result in a fall and zero points.
This shift is expected to change the "meta" of snowboarding and skiing competitions, emphasizing consistency and tactical planning alongside raw technical skill.
Economic and Community Significance for the Roaring Fork Valley
The economic impact of the X Games on the Roaring Fork Valley is substantial. The event typically draws tens of thousands of spectators to Buttermilk, filling hotels in Aspen and Snowmass Village during what is traditionally a high-occupancy period. The collaboration involves multiple local entities, including the Aspen Chamber Resort Association and the Town of Snowmass Village, which work in tandem with Aspen One to manage the logistical challenges of hosting a global broadcast event.
The three-year agreement provides local businesses with the predictability needed for long-term planning. For the Town of Snowmass Village and the city of Aspen, the X Games serve as a massive marketing vehicle, with the event broadcast to millions of homes globally, showcasing the region’s scenery and world-class ski infrastructure.
Furthermore, Aspen Skiing Company’s commitment to environmental sustainability is a core component of the partnership. As a division of Aspen One, the company operates with a focus on "taking the long view," which includes mitigating the environmental impact of large-scale events. The X Games serves as a platform to highlight these initiatives, including waste reduction programs and the use of renewable energy sources for resort operations.
Technical Specifications and Venue Logistics
Buttermilk Mountain is uniquely suited for an event of this magnitude. Unlike the steeper, more rugged terrain of Aspen Mountain or Highlands, Buttermilk offers the wide, rolling slopes necessary for constructing massive slopestyle features and the infrastructure required for a global television production.
The venue footprint includes:
- The SuperPipe: A 22-foot-high halfpipe that requires specialized grooming equipment and thousands of man-hours to maintain.
- The Slopestyle Course: A series of rails and massive jumps that are custom-built each year to push the limits of what is possible on skis and snowboards.
- The X Fest Village: A fan activation zone at the base of the mountain that integrates music, sponsor exhibits, and interactive displays.
The logistical feat of transforming a public ski area into a world-class stadium is managed by a dedicated team of snowmakers, cat drivers, and event producers. The new agreement ensures that this specialized knowledge remains within the local workforce, preserving the "institutional memory" required to execute the event flawlessly year after year.
Broader Implications for the Action Sports Industry
The move by X Games to establish a league and secure a long-term home in Aspen is a clear response to the changing media landscape. With the rise of streaming platforms and the decline of traditional linear television viewership among younger demographics, action sports brands must find new ways to stay relevant.
By creating a team-based league, X Games is positioning itself to capture the "fandom" associated with regional teams. The four winter clubs will likely be tied to specific geographic regions, allowing fans to "root for the home team" in a way that was previously impossible in individual action sports. This model has proven successful in other sectors, such as esports, where team loyalty drives high levels of digital engagement and merchandise sales.
Additionally, the multi-year deal with Aspen Snowmass provides a stable "anchor" for the brand as it explores expansion into international markets. While the XGL will feature stops around the world, the Aspen event will remain the "Super Bowl" of the season—the event that carries the most prestige and historical weight.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
The three-year extension through the 2028/29 season marks a period of transition and growth for both Aspen Snowmass and X Games. As the inaugural XGL Winter season approaches in 2027, the focus will be on the successful rollout of the team format and the integration of the new clubs into the competitive landscape.
Official dates for the X Games Aspen 2027 event are expected to be released in the coming months. In the meantime, Aspen Skiing Company and X Games leadership will continue to collaborate on the evolution of the Buttermilk venue, ensuring that it remains the most iconic stage in winter sports. For the fans, the athletes, and the local community, the message is clear: the future of action sports is team-based, it is technologically integrated, and for the foreseeable future, its home is Aspen.
