The selection process will be broadcast live across a diverse array of digital and traditional platforms, including the ESPN App, The Roku Sports Channel, X Games on YouTube, Kick.com, and the X Games TV Fast channel on Amazon. Airing from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. PT, the broadcast is designed to capture a global audience, reflecting the international reach of modern action sports. While the draft is primarily an invite-only affair for industry stakeholders and media, a limited number of "Superfan" tickets have been made available to the public, underscoring the high demand for access to this historic transition.
The Evolution of the X Games League (XGL)
The 2026 MoonPay XGL Summer Draft is the culmination of a multi-year strategic overhaul led by MSP Sports Capital, which acquired a majority stake in the X Games from ESPN in 2022. The creation of the X Games League (XGL) is intended to provide a more consistent narrative for fans and a stable financial environment for athletes. By organizing competitors into four distinct global teams, the XGL seeks to emulate the success of traditional sports leagues like the NFL or Formula 1, fostering regional and team-based loyalties.
Each of the four XGL clubs will select ten athletes during the draft, balancing specialized skills in disciplines such as Street, Park, Vert, and Big Air. This team-centric approach is expected to revolutionize the commercial side of the sport, offering brands the opportunity to sponsor entire franchises rather than individual athletes. The league’s partnership with MoonPay, a leading Web3 infrastructure company, further signals a move toward digital-first engagement, potentially incorporating blockchain-based fan rewards and digital collectibles into the viewer experience.
Venue and Technical Sophistication at Cosm Los Angeles
The choice of Cosm Los Angeles as the venue for the draft is a strategic decision that aligns with the X Games’ reputation for cutting-edge technology. Located in Hollywood Park, adjacent to SoFi Stadium, Cosm features a 26.6-meter diameter LED dome that provides a "Shared Reality" experience. This technology allows attendees to feel immersed in high-definition visuals, a feature that will be utilized during the draft to showcase athlete highlights and real-time statistics.
For the 2026 draft, the venue will be transformed into a high-stakes war room atmosphere. The red carpet access provided to media will allow for unprecedented interviews with athletes as they navigate the uncertainty of team selection. Industry analysts suggest that the venue choice reflects the XGL’s desire to position itself as a premium entertainment product, bridging the gap between niche extreme sports and mainstream professional leagues.
A Legacy Broadcast Team
To maintain continuity with the brand’s heritage while embracing its future, X Games has assembled a broadcast roster consisting of seasoned veterans and former competitors. The event will be hosted by Selema Masekela, a figure synonymous with the X Games since the late 1990s. Masekela’s deep institutional knowledge and rapport with the athletes are expected to provide the necessary gravitas for the league’s inaugural draft.
Assisting Masekela are specialized analysts who bring technical expertise to the broadcast. Jimmy Coleman, who has been a staple of the X Games broadcast team since 2000, will provide play-by-play and technical analysis for the BMX selections. Brandon Graham, a member of the X Games team since 2013, will handle the skateboarding analysis, drawing on his extensive experience covering both summer and winter events. On the red carpet, former professional snowboarder Aimee Fuller will serve as the primary host. Fuller, the first woman to land a double backflip in competition, transitioned into broadcasting after her competitive career, bringing an athlete’s perspective to the pre-event interviews.
Skateboard Street and Park: The Draft’s High-Value Targets
The draft pool for skateboarding features a mix of legendary veterans and dominant young phenoms. Nyjah Huston, widely regarded as the greatest street skateboarder in history, enters the draft as a likely top-tier pick. With 15 X Games gold medals, Huston’s consistency and high technical difficulty make him a foundational asset for any of the four global teams. His recent performance at X Games Ventura 2024, where he won double gold, proved that he remains at the peak of his capabilities despite over a decade at the top.
In the Park and Big Air disciplines, Tom Schaar and Jagger Eaton represent versatile options for team managers. Schaar, who began competing at age 12, possesses 16 medals across five different disciplines, making him one of the most well-rounded athletes in the pool. Eaton, a double threat in both Park and Street, offers teams tactical flexibility. His history of winning gold in Chiba and California suggests he can perform under the pressure of the new league format.
The women’s skateboarding division is headlined by Australian sensations Chloe Covell and Arisa Trew. Covell, who made her rookie appearance at age 12, has quickly ascended to the top of the Street rankings with consecutive gold medals in Chiba and Osaka. Trew, meanwhile, has become a history-maker in the Park discipline, being the first woman to land a 720. With seven X Games gold medals already to her name, Trew is a cornerstone athlete for any franchise looking to dominate the Park events.
BMX: Power and Precision in the Draft Pool
The BMX draft pool is equally competitive, featuring athletes who have redefined the limits of the sport. Kevin Peraza, the only athlete to win X Games gold in Dirt, Park, and Street, is expected to be a highly sought-after multi-discipline competitor. Peraza’s ability to earn three medals at back-to-back X Games (2023 and 2024) demonstrates a level of durability and versatility that is essential for a team-based season.
Logan Martin and Ryan Williams bring significant star power from Australia. Martin, a six-time gold medalist, has a podium streak in Park that is unmatched in the modern era. Williams, known for his "nothing is impossible" approach, has earned 11 gold medals by landing world-first tricks in Big Air and MegaPark. Their inclusion in the draft ensures that the XGL will feature the highest level of progression seen in freestyle BMX.
The women’s BMX field includes Olympic-level talent such as Hannah Roberts and Charlotte Worthington. Roberts, a six-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist, has been the dominant force in BMX Park for several years. Worthington, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, remains a threat due to her high-risk, high-reward style, including her signature 360 backflip. Perris Benegas, a consistent podium finisher and pioneer of the sport, rounds out a deep field of female riders who will be integral to the success of the four clubs.
Chronology of the XGL Launch
The path to the 2026 MoonPay XGL Summer Draft has been marked by several key milestones:
- Late 2022: MSP Sports Capital acquires a majority stake in X Games, beginning the transition toward a league-based model.
- 2023–2024: X Games expands its global footprint with events in Chiba, Ventura, and Sydney, testing the feasibility of a unified global circuit.
- Mid-2025: The formal announcement of the X Games League (XGL) and the partnership with MoonPay as the title sponsor for the draft.
- January 2026: Finalization of the draft pool and the unveiling of the four global team identities.
- March 12, 2026: The inaugural draft at Cosm Los Angeles.
Implications for the Future of Action Sports
The shift to a league format carries significant implications for the professionalization of action sports. By creating a structured season with draft-based teams, the X Games is attempting to solve the issue of athlete "feast or famine" cycles, where income is largely dependent on individual contest winnings and personal sponsorships. A league structure typically involves base salaries, team-based bonuses, and more stable health and travel benefits for the participants.
Furthermore, the 2026 draft serves as a bridge between the X Games and the Olympic movement. Many of the athletes participating in the draft are either Olympic medalists or hopefuls for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. By establishing a professional league in the same city two years prior to the Olympics, the XGL is positioning itself as the premier proving ground for elite talent.
Industry experts believe the MoonPay partnership indicates a shift toward a more interactive fan experience. Using Web3 technology, the league may introduce "fan-governed" elements, where supporters can have a say in team decisions or access exclusive content through digital tokens. This move is designed to appeal to a younger, tech-savvy demographic that has traditionally gravitated toward action sports but expects a more integrated digital experience.
As the draft approaches, the focus remains on how the four global teams will balance their rosters. With only ten spots available per club and a wealth of talent in the pool, the 2026 MoonPay XGL Summer Draft will likely be remembered as the moment action sports moved from the fringes of the sporting world into a new era of professionalized, team-based competition.
