X Games is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a transformation that includes the launch of the first-ever year-round, team-based league in action sports, launching in the summer of 2026. The league is said to represent a fundamental shift in how fans experience action sports, blending team rivalries, individual glory, and new revenue streams for athletes.
“X Games has always been where outsiders became icons and impossible became possible,” said Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games. “We’re staying true to that DNA – pushing limits, celebrating individuality, and challenging the status quo – but we’re also reimagining what’s next.”
The sports league, led by Annie Lokesh, formerly of the WNBA, will debut in summer 2026 with drafted athletes competing at every X Games. Over 150 athletes have declared for the inaugural XGL Summer Draft. The league will have both summer and winter seasons, with more stops around the world and local-language broadcasts.
Innovations will include AI-powered judging (The OWL), with real-time, transparent scoring that ensures accuracy and trust for athletes and fans, bigger prize purses, new compensation pathways, and deeper storytelling to elevate the athletes who fuel the movement.
Social growth is also part of the plan, building on the momentum that doubled YouTube subscribers to 2 million and grew total reach to 16 million+ across channels – with a sharper focus on two-way dialogue with fans.
