Additional details about the new X Games League (XGL) reveal that organizers see it as more than just another competition—they’re trying to build a sustainable professional ecosystem for action sports athletes. According to CEO Jeremy Bloom, the league is designed to give competitors consistent opportunities to earn income, grow their fan base, and compete as part of a team rather than relying solely on individual results.
A major feature of the inaugural season is its city-based franchise model. The league’s four teams—representing Los Angeles, New York, São Paulo, and Tokyo—will compete across three summer events before a championship finale. Team managers believe the format will help athletes develop stronger rivalries and create year-round storylines for fans to follow.
The league is also emphasizing opportunities for younger competitors. Eleven-year-old Australian skateboarder Mia Kretzer has become one of the breakout stories after being drafted to the Los Angeles team. League officials say the multi-event season allows rising athletes to gain exposure in front of sponsors and audiences several times rather than depending on a single competition to make an impression.
Beyond skateboarding and BMX, X Games executives are already planning significant expansion. A winter edition of the X Games League is scheduled to begin after a draft later this year, with Olympic freestyle skiing stars Eileen Gu and Kelly Sildaru among the athletes expected to participate. Their involvement would immediately give the winter league global recognition thanks to their success at both the Olympics and previous X Games events.
The first XGL event takes place in Sacramento from June 26–28, combining elite action sports with a festival atmosphere. Music performances by Kaskade, Mustard, and Subtronics are part of the launch, reflecting the X Games’ long-standing blend of sports, music, and youth culture.
Bloom also pointed to the X Games’ existing audience as a reason for optimism. He said the Aspen X Games drew 15.3 million viewers on ESPN and ABC this year, while X Games content reached more than 500 million viewers across 190 countries worldwide. Organizers believe that built-in global audience gives the new league a strong foundation as it introduces the team-based format.
While the concept represents one of the biggest changes in the X Games’ 30-year history, Bloom insists the league isn’t abandoning the culture that made action sports popular. Instead, he says the goal is to modernize the business side of the sport by offering salaries, health insurance stipends, and a clearer career path without sacrificing the creativity and individuality that define skateboarding, BMX, skiing, and snowboarding.
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