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 landscape of the first-ever MoonPay X Games League (XGL) has been irrevocably altered. In a stunning display of poise and technical mastery, top overall draft pick Chloe Covell delivered a gold-medal performance in the final event of Saturday’s schedule, vaulting XC New York into the pole position of the league standings.
As the sun sets over the Superdome, the stakes for Sunday’s finale could not be higher. XC New York currently commands the leaderboard with 2,280 points, narrowly edging out XC Tokyo, who sits at 2,260. With XC São Paulo (2,120) and XC Los Angeles (2,050) still within striking distance, the quest for the inaugural XGL title remains a wide-open affair.
The MVP Race: A High-Stakes Tactical Battle
While the team standings dominate the headlines, the individual race for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) title has become a masterclass in tactical pressure. Currently, Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) holds the lead with 600 points, followed closely by Gui Khury (XC São Paulo) at 550.
The math for Sunday is unforgiving. If Khury captures gold in the Men’s Skateboard Vert, he will finish with 650 points, placing the burden of proof squarely on Hasegawa. To secure the MVP title in that scenario, Hasegawa must earn at least a bronze in the Women’s Skateboard Park. Should Khury take silver, the requirements for Hasegawa soften, allowing her to claim the MVP crown with a finish of fourth place or better. Every rotation, every landing, and every fraction of a point will be scrutinized as these athletes navigate the pressure of a season-defining day.
A Saturday of High-Octane Innovation
Saturday’s program was an exhaustive showcase of action sports at their absolute limit. The day featured eight distinct events: the MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick, Stake Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick, MoonPay Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick, Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street, Moto X Best Trick, Stake Men’s BMX Dirt, Stake Men’s Skateboard Park, and the Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street.
Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick: The Youth Movement
The Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick competition served as a stark reminder that the future of action sports is not just bright—it is incredibly young. With an average age of just 16, the field of competitors showcased a level of progression that defied their years.
11-year-old phenom Mia Kretzer (XC Los Angeles) continued her historic run, adding to her status as the most decorated tween in X Games history. Her gold-medal performance, highlighted by a “never been done” (NBD) fakie body varial 720, marked her fourth career X Games gold. Kretzer’s contribution—securing 420 points for her club—has solidified her reputation as the "steal of the draft," representing 26% of XC Los Angeles’ total points.
The Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick: A Tribute in Motion
Ryan Williams (XC São Paulo) proved once again why he remains the face of the sport. Winning his 14th X Games gold medal with a breathtaking “Oliver Twist”—an alley-oop frontflip 540 flair performed in honor of his late friend, Oliver Tree—Williams dominated the field. Clad in a vibrant pink and purple jacket provided by Tree, Williams’ victory lap was both a technical triumph and an emotional tribute, keeping him firmly in the hunt for the XGL MVP title.
Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick: The Khury Dynasty
Gui Khury’s dominance in the Vert Best Trick category is nothing short of legendary. With his victory in New Orleans, Khury extended his winning streak in the event to eight consecutive gold medals. His signature kickflip body varial 900 has become the gold standard for the discipline. Now with 13 career golds, the Brazilian teen is on the precipice of history, requiring only one more consecutive win in the discipline to tie the all-time records held by icons Jamie Bestwick and Tucker Hibbert.
The Turning Point: Chloe Covell’s Historic Climb
The most significant narrative of the day centered on the Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street final. With the team standings locked in a tight battle, Chloe Covell (XC New York) delivered when it mattered most. Her gold medal performance did more than just secure the top spot for her club; it also marked a historic milestone, as Covell tied legend Leticia Bufoni’s record for the most medals (12) won by a woman in summer X Games disciplines.
"I don’t even think about things like that until I’m told," Covell said following her win. "Leticia means so much to the sport. I’m just happy to do it for my team. We were so close to that number one spot, and I’m so happy we finally claimed it."
Covell’s performance, bolstered by teammate Momiji Nishiya’s silver, provided a 180-point windfall for XC New York, effectively shifting the momentum of the entire championship.
Beyond the Podium: Athlete Resilience and Innovation
The intensity of the competition was matched only by the resilience of the athletes. In the Moto X Best Trick, 23-year-old Spaniard Jose Canosa claimed gold with a stunning 97.00 score, landing a never-before-seen frontflip double seatgrab Indian air on his final attempt. His success story—transitioning from motocross racing to freestyle in record time—is a testament to the rapid evolution of the sport.
Similarly, in the Stake Men’s BMX Dirt competition, Brady Baker (XC Los Angeles) etched his name into the history books as the first four-time gold medalist in the event. Baker, who is expecting his first child, dedicated his high-level performance to his growing family, noting that his motivation has never been higher.
Implications for the League
The inaugural XGL season was designed to shift the paradigm of action sports, moving from individual glory toward a team-centric ecosystem. As the league nears the conclusion of its first championship, the results suggest the model is working. The ability for athletes like Tom Schaar and Chloe Covell to contribute to a collective team score has introduced a new layer of camaraderie and tactical depth.
For the Clubs—New York, Tokyo, São Paulo, and Los Angeles—the final day of competition is not just about medals; it is about establishing a legacy. The financial and structural implications of the XGL, which offers increased compensation and long-term brand stability for its athletes, have clearly raised the bar for performance.
Sunday Outlook: The Final Stand
As the X Games New Orleans 2026 heads into its final day, the atmosphere is electric. The parity across the board—exemplified by the tight standings and the incredible talent depth of the free agents and club-affiliated riders alike—ensures that the final events will be a spectacle of progression.
Whether it is Khury’s quest for a record-breaking streak, Hasegawa’s defense of the MVP lead, or XC New York’s fight to defend their newly minted top spot, the closing ceremonies in the Big Easy will be etched into history. The MoonPay X Games League has arrived, and if Saturday’s competition is any indication, the future of action sports is in very capable hands.
Official Results Note: For a full breakdown of the daily event results, fans and media are encouraged to consult the official X Games New Orleans 2026 Media Kit. Global viewers can continue to track the action via the ESPN App, Disney+, and the X Games streaming partners, including the Roku Sports Channel and the official X Games YouTube channel.
