NEW ORLEANS (July 25, 2026) – The inaugural MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship has reached a fever pitch. With only one day of competition remaining, the newly minted MoonPay X Games League (XGL) is poised to crown its first-ever team champion. In a dramatic shift that defined the second day of action, top overall draft pick Chloe Covell delivered a masterful performance in the Women’s Skateboard Street final, vaulting XC New York into the pole position of the league standings.
As the dust settles on a grueling eight-event Saturday, the leaderboard is tighter than ever. XC New York currently commands the top spot with 2,280 points, narrowly edging out XC Tokyo, which sits at 2,260. With XC São Paulo (2,120) and XC Los Angeles (2,050) still within striking distance, the final day in the Big Easy promises a tactical and athletic showdown of historic proportions.
The Strategic Shift: How New York Seized the Lead
The XGL format has transformed individual glory into a collective pursuit, and nowhere was this more evident than in the Women’s Skateboard Street competition. Entering the event, XC New York needed a standout performance to bridge the gap with the leaders.
Chloe Covell, the organization’s marquee draft pick, rose to the occasion with a clinical display of technical prowess. Her gold-medal performance, coupled with a silver-medal finish from teammate Momiji Nishiya, secured 180 critical points for the club. This double-podium surge not only secured individual honors for Covell but acted as the engine for New York’s leap to the top of the XGL standings.
Covell’s triumph was significant beyond the team leaderboard. By securing this gold, she earned her 12th career X Games medal, drawing even with the legendary Leticia Bufoni for the most medals by a woman in summer disciplines. With Sunday’s events on the horizon, Covell stands on the precipice of sole possession of this prestigious record.
Chronology of a High-Stakes Saturday
Saturday’s schedule was a whirlwind of progression, featuring eight high-intensity disciplines that spanned the spectrum of action sports.
Morning Progression: Youth and Innovation
The day opened with the MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick, a competition defined by its youth movement. With an average age of just 16, the field showcased the future of the sport. 11-year-old phenom Mia Kretzer (XC Los Angeles) proved that age is no barrier to dominance, clinching gold with a "never-been-done" (NBD) fakie body varial 720.
Asahi Kaihara (Free Agent) secured silver with a technical switch front foot impossible tailgrab, while Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) took bronze. Hasegawa’s performance was critical for her MVP aspirations; with 600 points, she remains the frontrunner for the season-long individual crown.
Mid-Day Dominance: BMX and Vert Mastery
The Stake Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick saw veteran Ryan Williams (XC S&ão Paulo) return to the top of the podium. Williams executed an "Oliver Twist"—an alley-oop frontflip 540 flair—as a heartfelt tribute to his late friend, Oliver Tree. This victory marked his 14th X Games gold, reinforcing his status as the most followed and decorated athlete in the current XGL roster.
Simultaneously, Gui Khury (XC S&ão Paulo) continued his stranglehold on the Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick. By securing his eighth consecutive gold in the event, Khury has solidified his position as the most dominant teen in X Games history. His signature kickflip body varial 900 remains the gold standard, and his total point tally now positions him as the primary challenger to Hasegawa in the MVP race.
Afternoon Intensity: Street and Dirt
The Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street final provided one of the day’s most electric moments. Ginwoo Onodera (XC New York) completed a rare "hat trick," winning his third consecutive gold in the event. His final trick—a high-stakes kickflip front blunt fakie down a non-rounded rail—demonstrated the technical risk that has defined his season.
In the Stake Men’s BMX Dirt, Brady Baker (XC Los Angeles) etched his name into the history books as the first four-time gold medalist in the event. His performance, featuring a complex sequence of spins and whips, proved why he is considered the preeminent dirt rider of the modern era.
Supporting Data: The MVP Equation
As the championship enters its final day, the MVP race has distilled into a high-stakes calculation. Mizuho Hasegawa currently leads with 600 points, while Gui Khury trails at 550.
The path to the inaugural XGL MVP title is clear but narrow:
- The Khury Path: If Gui Khury wins gold in the Men’s Skateboard Vert on Sunday, he will finish with 650 points. In this scenario, Hasegawa must secure at least a bronze medal in Women’s Skateboard Park to claim the MVP title.
- The Hasegawa Buffer: If Khury takes silver, Hasegawa’s requirements are relaxed; she would only need to finish in the top four to guarantee her status as the league’s first MVP.
The pressure on these two athletes is immense, as their individual performances will not only determine their own legacies but will heavily influence the final team standings for XC Tokyo and XC São Paulo.
Official Perspectives: Reflections from the Podium
The athletes, having pushed the boundaries of their respective sports, were quick to credit the environment and the new league structure for their motivation.
Chloe Covell reflected on the weight of the team format:
"I’m so stoked to do it for my team. We were so close to the number one spot, and Momiji and I did so good. It’s crazy to think about the records, but I have the best team ever. Let’s go win more medals!"
Tom Schaar, who became the fourth skater in history to win three gold medals in Skateboard Park, noted the emotional impact of the team format:
"It gives you a whole other kind of level… it makes you feel like a fan, honestly. I come over to the LA booth after my run and they’re all cheering me on. It’s just been a lot of fun."
Gui Khury, ever the humble champion, expressed his gratitude to the host city:
"New Orleans, you guys are the best. The nicest people, and the food here is amazing. I just have to thank you from the bottom of my heart; it’s been a great opportunity."
Implications: The Evolution of Action Sports
The success of the MoonPay X Games League in New Orleans signals a fundamental shift in the landscape of action sports. By moving away from purely individual competition toward a team-based, year-round model, the X Games have created a narrative-rich environment that encourages long-term fan engagement.
1. Economic and Athletic Impact
The XGL structure provides athletes with unprecedented financial stability. Beyond the prize purses, the team-based model offers additional earning potential and institutional support. This shift is clearly paying dividends, as evidenced by the high level of technical difficulty and "never-been-done" tricks displayed throughout the weekend.
2. Geographic and Global Reach
The success of international riders—from the Spanish dominance of Jose Canosa in Moto X to the Japanese precision of Ginwoo Onodera—highlights the global nature of the X Games. The integration of "Clubs" allows for regional pride to coalesce around these athletes, turning the X Games into a truly global sporting event.
3. The Future of the Sport
As we look toward the final day, the X Games have proven that they are more than just a summer festival. They are a professional league. The infrastructure, the media presence, and the sheer talent on display indicate that the XGL is poised to grow as a major player in the global sports entertainment industry.
As the sun rises on the final day in New Orleans, the focus shifts to the final two disciplines. With 20 points separating the top two teams, and the individual MVP crown hanging in the balance, the stage is set for a historic conclusion to the first season of the MoonPay X Games League. Fans worldwide will be watching to see which club emerges as the inaugural champion and which athletes cement their names in the annals of X Games history.
