In a landmark move that bridges the gap between high-performance action sports and sustainable, Amazonian vitality, X Games Club São Paulo (XC SP) has officially named SAMBAZON® as its Official Açaí Partner for the 2026 summer season of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL).
This strategic alliance represents a dual milestone in the evolving landscape of competitive action sports: it serves as the first-ever commercial partnership for the XC SP franchise and marks the inaugural club-level partnership in the history of the X Games League since its inception in June 2026. By aligning with SAMBAZON®, XC São Paulo is positioning itself not merely as a sports team, but as a cultural entity deeply rooted in the authentic origins of its namesake city.
The Genesis of a Partnership: Shared DNA
The synergy between SAMBAZON® and X Games Club São Paulo is rooted in more than just a business agreement; it is a shared philosophy of authenticity and progression. SAMBAZON® (an acronym for Sustainable Management of the Brazilian Amazon) has spent over two decades building its brand around the açaí berry—a fruit that has served as a natural energy source for generations of Brazilians.
Similarly, XC São Paulo was established to capture the raw, gritty, and vibrant street culture of Brazil’s largest metropolis. Led by legendary skateboarder and 30-time X Games medalist Bob Burnquist, the club embodies a commitment to progression that mirrors the way SAMBAZON® has advanced the global awareness of Amazonian superfoods. This partnership is designed to celebrate the "Brazilian spirit" on a global stage, ensuring that the athletes representing São Paulo are fueled by the same source of power that sustained the pioneers of the sport in Brazil.
Chronology of the 2026 XGL Summer Season
The 2026 MoonPay X Games League summer season has been a whirlwind of high-stakes competition and fan-focused engagement. The integration of the SAMBAZON® partnership has been executed across three key international stages:
- Sacramento (The Kick-off): The partnership made its debut at X Fest in Sacramento. Here, SAMBAZON® provided the essential fuel for XC SP athletes, while simultaneously opening an interactive lounge for fans. This space allowed spectators to engage with the brand’s mission, sample signature açaí products, and participate in prize-winning activations.
- Chiba (Global Expansion): The momentum continued in Japan, where the collaboration bridged the cultural gap between Brazil’s street culture and Japan’s technical precision in action sports. Fans in Chiba were treated to immersive brand experiences, reinforcing the club’s identity through co-branded merchandise and collectibles.
- New Orleans (The Grand Finale): As the league concludes in the iconic setting of New Orleans, the partnership serves as the capstone for the summer, solidifying the presence of XC SP as a dominant force in the league’s inaugural year.
Throughout these stops, the collaboration has been visible through signature boards, team merchandise, and a recurring content series that documents the journey of the club and its partnership with the brand, providing fans with a behind-the-scenes look at how elite athletes integrate natural nutrition into their training regimens.
Official Perspectives: Burnquist and Black
The partnership has been met with significant enthusiasm from both the sporting and business leadership involved.
Bob Burnquist, General Manager of X Games Club São Paulo, emphasized the cultural alignment:
"SAMBAZON® is the ideal partner for this club. Açaí is Brazil shared with the world, and that’s exactly what this team is—riders from everywhere carrying São Paulo’s energy. Starting our first season with a brand this connected to who we are sets the tone for everything we’re building. It’s about more than the product; it’s about the roots we share."
Ryan Black, CEO and Co-founder of SAMBAZON®, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the historical context of the sport:
"SAMBAZON and the X Games grew up in the same culture. We didn’t discover açaí in a lab; we found it in Brazil, in the hands of surfers, skaters, and athletes who used it as fuel long before the world caught on. SAMBAZON has always proven that fueling athletes and protecting the Amazon are the same mission. Standing with X Games Club São Paulo in its first season, with a legend like Bob Burnquist leading the way, is exactly where SAMBAZON belongs."
Supporting Data: The "Palm to Palm" Model
SAMBAZON®’s commitment to this partnership is backed by a robust and transparent supply chain that sets it apart in the global marketplace. The brand’s "Palm to Palm" model is a cornerstone of its corporate identity:
- Traceability: The company partners directly with over 4,007 harvesting families, ensuring fair wages and economic stability in the Amazon region.
- Environmental Stewardship: SAMBAZON® safeguards over 117,000 acres of Fair Trade-certified harvest area, preserving biodiversity and preventing deforestation.
- Sustainability: Operations are optimized for a low environmental footprint, with 99% of their U.S. and Brazil facilities powered by renewable energy.
This data underscores why the partnership with XC São Paulo is a "founding" collaboration. For a league looking to establish long-term viability, aligning with a partner that emphasizes traceability and sustainability offers a blueprint for how sports organizations can integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their core commercial operations.
Implications for the MoonPay X Games League
The X Games League represents a transformative moment in action sports, moving from a series of isolated events to a year-round, team-based, co-ed professional structure. The inclusion of XC São Paulo—and its subsequent sale to the UAE-based investment group Summit Ventures—signals that the league is attracting significant global capital.
Expanding the Brand
The acquisition of XC SP by Summit Ventures, led by entrepreneur Ali El Ali, highlights the international interest in the "club model." By keeping Bob Burnquist as General Manager, the club ensures that while its ownership may be international, its heart remains tied to the skate and BMX culture of São Paulo.
Setting a Commercial Precedent
The SAMBAZON® partnership establishes a new standard for how XGL clubs will interact with sponsors. Rather than generic logo placement, the XGL model favors integrated, experiential partnerships. By embedding SAMBAZON® into the team’s daily fuel requirements and fan-facing lounge spaces, the club creates a tangible connection between the product and the performance.
The Future of Action Sports Partnerships
As the X Games League continues to grow, the success of the SAMBAZON® and XC SP partnership will likely serve as a case study for future sponsors.
Why This Matters for Fans
For the global fanbase, these partnerships signify that the X Games is becoming more "relatable" and "lifestyle-oriented." As the league moves toward more frequent, club-based competitions, fans are increasingly likely to develop local allegiances to teams like XC São Paulo. This emotional investment is bolstered when the team aligns with brands that fans already consume or aspire to use.
The Sustainability Mandate
Perhaps the most significant implication is the growing expectation for sustainability in sports. By choosing a partner like SAMBAZON®—a company that has pioneered transparency in its supply chain—XC São Paulo is signaling that the future of action sports is not just about the tricks performed in the air, but the footprint left on the earth.
Conclusion
The partnership between SAMBAZON® and X Games Club São Paulo is a masterful alignment of brand identity, cultural heritage, and commercial ambition. As the 2026 summer season reaches its climax in New Orleans, the collaboration stands as a testament to the fact that when brands share a common origin and a common mission, they create more than just a marketing campaign—they create a movement.
With Bob Burnquist leading the charge, and the support of sustainable pioneers like SAMBAZON®, XC São Paulo is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of the X Games League’s mission to professionalize and globalize the world’s most exhilarating action sports. The "Palm to Palm" philosophy has finally found its place in the arena, proving that whether you are harvesting in the Amazon or riding in the X Games, the fuel you choose defines the legacy you leave behind.
