Aspen Snowmass and X Games officials have formally entered into a new three-year host agreement that secures the presence of the world’s premier action sports competition at Buttermilk Mountain through the 2028/29 winter season. This multi-year commitment, announced June 10, 2026, serves as the cornerstone for the newly developed MoonPay X Games League (XGL), representing a pivotal evolution in the 25-year partnership between the two entities. The agreement ensures that Aspen remains the primary venue for winter action sports during a period of significant structural transition for the X Games brand, which is moving toward a formalized, team-based league model.
The partnership between X Games and Aspen Snowmass, which began in 2002, has become one of the most enduring collaborations in the history of professional sports. Under the new contract, the inaugural XGL Winter season is scheduled to launch in January 2027. This move signals a shift from the traditional individual-competitor format toward a structured league system involving regionally-based teams and drafted athletes. The decision to maintain Aspen as the "crown jewel" of this new circuit underscores the location’s historical significance and its specialized infrastructure for high-level freeskiing and snowboarding competition.
The Evolution of the X Games League and the Team Format
The introduction of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) represents the most significant structural change to the X Games since its inception in 1995. Traditionally, action sports have relied on an invitational, event-by-event format where individual athletes compete for podium finishes and prize purses. The XGL model introduces a year-round, co-ed league structure consisting of eight distinct clubs—four dedicated to summer sports and four to winter sports.
These clubs will feature geographic identities, similar to traditional professional sports franchises, and will consist of athletes selected through a draft process. The transition to a league format is designed to foster season-long storylines, providing fans with a more consistent narrative to follow across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms. For the athletes, the XGL model offers a fundamental shift in compensation. Beyond the traditional prize purses associated with individual events, the league structure provides salaries and additional earning potential through team-based revenue models, offering a degree of financial stability previously rare in the action sports industry.
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games and a former Olympic skier, emphasized that while the league is expanding its global footprint, the Aspen stop remains the essential anchor for the winter season. The goal of the XGL is to bridge the gap between the high-intensity, short-duration event windows and a more sustainable, year-round engagement model that appeals to both core fans and a broader global audience.
Historical Context and the Legacy of Buttermilk Mountain
The relationship between Aspen and X Games began nearly a quarter-century ago. When X Games moved to Buttermilk in 2002, it found a permanent home that allowed for the development of world-class permanent and semi-permanent facilities, including the iconic 22-foot Superpipe and expansive Slopestyle courses. Over the decades, the venue has hosted some of the most defining moments in the history of snowsports.
Buttermilk, one of the four mountains operated by Aspen Skiing Company (a division of Aspen One), has been specifically curated to handle the logistical demands of a global broadcast event. While the mountain is known for its beginner-friendly terrain during regular resort operations, its transformation into an X Games venue requires months of precision engineering. The partnership has survived multiple ownership changes at X Games and various economic shifts, proving the resilience of the Aspen-based model.
The 2026 winter season saw continued dominance from veteran athletes who have spent their entire careers competing on these slopes. Mark McMorris, a foundational athlete for the XGL Winter league, solidified his legacy in Aspen by winning his 12th career gold medal and 25th overall X Games medal during the 2026 Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle event. McMorris’s 15-year history at Buttermilk mirrors the growth of the event itself, moving from a niche "extreme" sports gathering to a mainstream cultural festival that blends athletic excellence with music, fashion, and technology.
Supporting Infrastructure and Community Integration
The success of a multi-year agreement of this scale is contingent upon the support of the local municipality and regional business organizations. The Aspen Snowmass community, including the Aspen Chamber Resort Association and the Town of Snowmass Village, plays a critical role in the logistical execution of the event. The X Games brings a substantial influx of tourism and global media attention to the Roaring Fork Valley during the late January period, which is traditionally a high-volume window for the local economy.
Aspen Skiing Company, founded in 1946, operates 5,680 acres of skiable terrain across Aspen Mountain, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. The company’s involvement extends beyond just providing the land; it includes the operation of the Aspen Snowmass Ski & Snowboard School and Four Mountain Sports, which integrate with the event to provide a comprehensive experience for the thousands of spectators who travel to the region.
The commitment to a three-year term provides local businesses and regional planners with a predictable timeline to manage resources, staffing, and marketing efforts. For the Town of Snowmass Village and the broader Aspen area, the X Games represents more than just a sports competition; it is a vital component of the region’s identity as a premier global destination for winter recreation and culture.
Strategic Implications for Action Sports Industry
The formalized agreement through 2029 reflects a broader trend in the sports industry toward "league-ification." By creating a structured season, X Games is positioning itself to compete more effectively for broadcast rights and high-value sponsorships. The partnership with MoonPay, a leader in the financial technology and digital asset space, suggests that the league will incorporate modern fan engagement tools, potentially including digital ticketing, loyalty programs, and unique interactive experiences for the "XGL" audience.
Industry analysts suggest that the move to a league format is a response to the increasing professionalization of action sports, many of which have recently been integrated into the Olympic program. By establishing a professional league, X Games maintains its relevance as the "alternative" to the rigid structure of international federations while providing the professional environment that top-tier athletes now demand.
The co-ed nature of the XGL clubs also marks a significant step forward in gender equity within the sport. By mandating team structures that include both male and female athletes competing for a collective championship, the league is setting a new standard for inclusivity in professional action sports.
Timeline and Future Milestones
As the inaugural XGL Winter season approaches in January 2027, several key milestones are expected in the coming months:
- Draft and Team Selection: Details regarding the draft process for the four winter clubs will be announced, identifying which athletes will join "founder" members like Mark McMorris.
- Event Logistics for 2027: Specific dates for the January 2027 event at Buttermilk will be finalized, along with the announcement of the music lineup and festival schedule.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Aspen Snowmass and X Games will collaborate on potential enhancements to the Buttermilk competition site to accommodate the new team-based scoring and broadcast requirements.
- Summer League Launch: While the Aspen agreement focuses on winter, the launch of the XGL Summer season in 2026 will serve as the first test of the team-based format, providing a blueprint for the winter debut in Colorado.
John Rigney, Chief Business Development Officer at Aspen One, noted that the commitment to a three-year deal allows both parties to take the "long view" in developing the athlete and spectator experience. This stability is viewed as essential for the successful rollout of the XGL, ensuring that the transition to a new format is backed by a proven and world-class venue.
Conclusion
The three-year extension of the partnership between Aspen Snowmass and X Games secures the future of winter action sports in the Roaring Fork Valley through 2029. By providing a stable home for the MoonPay X Games League, Buttermilk Mountain will continue to serve as the epicenter for innovation in snowboarding and freeskiing. As the sports world watches the transition from individual competition to a structured team league, the continuity provided by Aspen’s involvement ensures that the "crown jewel" of the X Games remains intact. The upcoming 2027 season will likely be remembered as a transformative period that redefined how action sports are organized, consumed, and valued on a global stage.
