LOS ANGELES – The landscape of action sports shifted fundamentally on September 16, 2026, as the world’s most elite ski and snowboard athletes gathered at the state-of-the-art Cosm Los Angeles. The inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Winter Draft signaled a departure from the traditional standalone competition model, ushering in a structured, team-based, year-round format that promises to redefine how fans engage with the pinnacle of winter sports.
With over 500 guests in attendance, the immersive environment of the Cosm venue—featuring a massive, wraparound LED dome—provided the perfect backdrop for the birth of a new athletic ecosystem. As 40 of the world’s best athletes were drafted into four competing clubs, the X Games officially entered its "Team Era."
The Strategic Foundation: A Shift to Team Dynamics
For nearly three decades, the X Games have been synonymous with individual glory—moments of singular brilliance captured in high-stakes, one-off events. The MoonPay X Games League changes that narrative. By introducing a season-long, points-based structure, the league creates "consequences" that carry over from event to event.
Each of the four clubs—XC Golden State, XC New York, XC Park City, and XC Whistler—has been constructed with a balanced roster of 10 athletes: five men and five women. This parity ensures that no single discipline or gender dominates the standings, forcing teams to rely on collective performance to secure the championship.
“Tonight, we added something entirely new: consequences across a season,” said Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games. “Four teams just drafted the best ski and snowboard athletes in the world, and now every result in Aspen, Canada, and Finland will matter toward one championship. We’re taking a brand people have loved for decades and giving fans something they’ve never had before: teams to follow, a season to track, and a championship to fight for.”
The Draft: A Chronology of Talent Acquisition
The evening was a high-stakes tactical exercise led by the General Managers of the four respective clubs. The atmosphere in the room was electric, as the draft board reflected a blend of veteran wisdom and youthful prodigy.
Round One: Setting the Tone
The proceedings began with a statement of intent from XC Golden State. General Manager Jonny Moseley, an Olympic gold medalist himself, did not hesitate to select freeskiing superstar Eileen Gu with the first overall pick. Gu, a four-time X Games medalist, represents the face of the sport for a new generation.
“I just wanted to say how excited and honored and grateful I am to be the first overall pick of the X Games League,” Gu remarked following the selection. “I’m really excited to make something super magical happen this season. This league is going to be so big for our industry, for our sport, and my dream of bringing freeskiing to more people will be realized one step at a time with you guys.”
Following Gu, the draft board moved quickly:
- Pick #2 (XC New York): GM Dave Sypniewski secured snowboard icon Mark McMorris, a move that instantly gave the New York franchise a cornerstone of technical excellence and veteran experience.
- Pick #3 (XC Park City): GM Sharalee “Haze” Hazen, leveraging her dual experience as the head of the XC Los Angeles Summer club, opted for the explosive talent of snowboarder Yiming Su.
- Pick #4 (XC Whistler): GM Ryan Stutt rounded out the first round by selecting skier Megan Oldham, a powerhouse of the freeskiing circuit.
Deepening the Rosters
As the rounds progressed, the GMs navigated the challenges of balancing discipline expertise with team chemistry. The draft featured a diverse field, with 40 athletes representing 14 different countries. The age range highlighted the inclusive nature of the sport, spanning from 14-year-old rising star Patti Zhou to the seasoned 32-year-old veterans Mark McMorris and Scotty James.
By the end of the fifth round, the rosters were complete. The draft process underscored a commitment to diversity and global representation, ensuring that the XGL isn’t just a localized league, but a premier international stage.
The 2027 Season Roadmap: From Aspen to Ruka
The inaugural XGL Winter Season is set to be a grueling test of endurance and consistency, spanning three months and three iconic locations. The season structure is designed to reward the team that can perform best across varying terrain and conditions.
- Aspen, Colorado (January 29–31): The season kicks off at Buttermilk, the spiritual home of winter action sports. This stop will serve as the primary indicator of team chemistry following the draft.
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada (February 19–21): The league moves north, where teams will look to capitalize on the momentum—or correct the mistakes—of the Aspen opener.
- Ruka, Finland (April 9–11): The season concludes with a championship event. In this new format, the team with the highest cumulative points across all three stops will be crowned the MoonPay X Games League Winter Champion.
This itinerary is not merely a schedule of events; it is a narrative arc. By hosting the finale in Europe, the XGL emphasizes its commitment to a global fanbase, ensuring that the championship battle is fought on an international stage.
Supporting Data and Industry Implications
The transition to the XGL model is supported by a robust ecosystem of partners and media platforms. The draft was broadcast globally, reflecting the league’s reach:
- United States: ESPN App
- Global: The Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, Kick, and the X Games TV FAST Channel on Amazon.
Economic and Professional Impact
The XGL is designed to elevate the financial stability of the athletes. Beyond the traditional prize purses associated with individual podium finishes, the league model introduces team-based compensation. This allows for a more stable income structure for the athletes, reducing the volatility often associated with the career of a professional action sports athlete.
Furthermore, the "Team Era" allows for deeper fan engagement. In the past, casual fans might tune in for a specific event to see their favorite star. Now, fans are encouraged to support a "Club," which fosters regional loyalty and long-term fandom—a critical component of growth in modern professional sports.
Official Perspectives: The Vision for XGL
The creation of the XGL is the result of years of planning by MSP Sports Capital, the parent company of X Games. Under the leadership of Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi, the firm has sought to apply the principles of major league sports to the action sports sector.
“We’re taking a brand people have loved for decades and giving fans something they’ve never had before,” Bloom reiterated. The sentiment is echoed by the athletes themselves, who see the league as the necessary next step for the industry. By moving away from a siloed, individualistic model, the sport gains a cohesive identity that is easier for media partners to broadcast and for sponsors to activate.
The involvement of title partner MoonPay, alongside founding partner Monster Energy and a suite of high-profile brands (including Stake, High Noon, and Amazon), suggests a high level of institutional confidence in the XGL’s longevity.
Future Outlook: A Catalyst for Growth
As the 2027 season approaches, the focus now turns to the training camps and the strategic integration of the teams. The XGL has successfully bridged the gap between the "X Games as a brand" and "X Games as a professional league."
For fans, the promise of the 2027 season is not just about the progression of tricks or the height of the jumps—though those remain paramount—but about the drama of the leaderboard. Will the veterans of XC New York hold off the high-energy, youth-led squads of XC Golden State? Will the tactical drafting of XC Park City pay off in the technical, high-consequence environment of Ruka?
The draft at Cosm Los Angeles was more than an organizational necessity; it was a cultural moment. It solidified the fact that the X Games are no longer just an event you watch; they are a league you follow. As the industry prepares for the first gate drop in Aspen this January, the narrative of professional action sports has been rewritten. The era of the X Games League has begun, and the stakes have never been higher.
For further updates on rosters, event schedules, and ticketing information, fans are encouraged to visit xgames.com.
