NEW ORLEANS (July 25, 2026) – The inaugural MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship has reached a fever pitch. As the dust settles on an electrifying second day of competition, the landscape of the first-ever MoonPay X Games League (XGL) has been fundamentally altered. In a display of tactical brilliance and raw athletic dominance, Chloe Covell, the top overall draft pick for XC New York, delivered a gold-medal performance in the final event of the day, vaulting her club into the driver’s seat ahead of the season’s final day.
With only 24 hours remaining before the league crowns its inaugural champion, the intensity in the Big Easy is palpable. XC New York currently commands the standings with 2,280 points, holding a razor-thin 20-point lead over XC Tokyo (2,260). The championship race is far from decided, as XC São Paulo (2,120) and XC Los Angeles (2,050) remain within striking distance, setting the stage for an explosive conclusion this Sunday.
The MVP Race: A Strategic Showdown
While the club standings provide the narrative, the individual MVP race offers a secondary, high-stakes drama. Mizuho Hasegawa of XC Tokyo currently leads the pack with 600 points, followed closely by Gui Khury of XC São Paulo at 550.
The arithmetic for the final day is unforgiving. If Khury secures gold in the Men’s Skateboard Vert on Sunday, he will reach a total of 650 points. Under this scenario, Hasegawa would be required to secure a bronze medal or better in the Women’s Skateboard Park to prevent Khury from overtaking her. However, should Khury falter and take only silver, the threshold for Hasegawa drops significantly; she would then only need a fourth-place finish to secure the MVP title. The margin for error is non-existent, and the pressure on these two young stars is mounting as the XGL reaches its climax.
Chronology of an Action-Packed Saturday
Saturday in New Orleans was a marathon of elite action sports, featuring eight high-stakes events that tested the mettle of the world’s best athletes. The day kicked off with the Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick and spanned across BMX, Moto X, and Street skateboarding.
Morning Session: The Rise of the Teen Prodigies
The day began with the MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick, a competition defined by its youth, with an average competitor age of just 16. The crowd witnessed history when 11-year-old Mia Kretzer (XC Los Angeles) landed a never-before-done (NBD) fakie body varial 720. This performance secured her fourth X Games gold and her seventh medal overall. As the 39th of 40 draft picks, Kretzer has arguably become the most valuable asset in the league, contributing 420 points—or 26% of XC Los Angeles’s total score.
Following this, the Stake Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick saw legend Ryan Williams (XC São Paulo) clinch his 14th X Games gold. His "Oliver Twist"—an alley-oop frontflip 540 flair—was a heartfelt tribute to the late Oliver Tree and cemented Williams’s position as the sport’s most popular and consistent performer.
Afternoon Session: Vert Dominance and Street Precision
The MoonPay Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick was a masterclass in consistency by Gui Khury. By executing a flawless kickflip body varial 900, Khury secured his eighth consecutive gold in this specific event. His total of 13 X Games golds makes him the most decorated teenager in X Games history.
The afternoon shift turned toward the Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street, where Ginwoo Onodera (XC New York) completed a rare "hat trick," winning his third consecutive gold in the discipline. Onodera’s performance was the catalyst that XC New York needed to stay within range of the top spot, showcasing the effectiveness of the team-based strategy that defines the XGL.
Evening Session: The Final Push
As the day wound down, the Moto X Best Trick and Stake Men’s BMX Dirt events kept the crowd in the Superdome on their feet. Spain’s Jose Canosa stunned the judges with a 97.00 score for a frontflip double seatgrab Indian air, marking his arrival on the world stage. Simultaneously, Brady Baker (XC Los Angeles) made history as the first four-time gold medalist in the history of the BMX Dirt event, further bolstering the XC Los Angeles point total.
The day concluded with the Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street, where the championship lead shifted. Chloe Covell’s gold, combined with a silver from teammate Momiji Nishiya, provided the 180 points necessary to push XC New York into first place.
Supporting Data: The Statistical Landscape
The inaugural XGL season has introduced a new level of statistical rigor to action sports. The standings as of Saturday night are as follows:
| Club | Total Points |
|---|---|
| XC New York | 2,280 |
| XC Tokyo | 2,260 |
| XC São Paulo | 2,120 |
| XC Los Angeles | 2,050 |
Beyond the team points, individual milestones are being rewritten. Chloe Covell has now matched the legendary Leticia Bufoni’s record of 12 career X Games medals for a woman in summer disciplines. Covell has the opportunity to surpass this record on Sunday, a testament to the rapid evolution of women’s skateboarding. Similarly, Tom Schaar’s performance in the Stake Men’s Skateboard Park brought his total medal count to 22, the fourth-most in the history of the sport.
Athlete Perspectives: The Team Dynamic
The atmosphere behind the scenes is one of professional camaraderie mixed with fierce competitive spirit. Reflecting on her gold-medal performance, Chloe Covell emphasized the importance of the team-first culture. "I’m so stoked to do it for my team," Covell remarked. "We were so close to getting into the number one spot, and Momiji and I did so good. I don’t even think about records like the one I tied with Leticia until I’m told. Leticia means so much to the sport, and I’ve been hanging out with her all weekend. I have the best team ever."
Gui Khury shared a similar sentiment regarding his dominant streak in the Vert Best Trick. "I just have to thank the crowd from the bottom of my heart," Khury said after his victory. "It’s been a great opportunity to compete here in New Orleans. The energy of the team format makes everything feel more significant."
Implications of the XGL Format
The MoonPay X Games League (XGL), which launched in 2026, represents a structural shift for action sports. By moving away from purely individual competition toward a team-based, year-round format, the XGL is fostering deeper connections between athletes and fans.
This model has several key implications:
- Athlete Compensation: The team structure allows for expanded earning potential beyond traditional prize purses, providing a more stable career path for professional skaters and riders.
- Geographic Identity: By grouping athletes into clubs like XC New York and XC Tokyo, the league is cultivating regional fanbases, much like traditional professional sports leagues.
- Strategic Depth: As seen in New Orleans, the performance of a "bottom-drafted" athlete like Mia Kretzer can be just as crucial to a club’s success as a superstar like Chloe Covell. This parity creates a more engaging narrative throughout the season.
As the X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship heads into its final day, the eyes of the world are fixed on the Superdome. The transition from individual glory to collective triumph has not only reinvigorated the sport but has also created an unpredictable, high-stakes environment where every point earned in every run could determine the inaugural XGL champion.
Fans in the U.S. can catch the final day of the competition live on ABC and ESPN, with streaming options available via the ESPN App, Disney+, and the Roku Sports Channel. With the title on the line and the MVP race hanging in the balance, Sunday promises to be a historic conclusion to a landmark event.
