X Games adopts radical team-based format

The X Games will adopt a new team-based league format in 2026, with freestyle motocross expected to play a part in the overhauled competition.

Inspired by the team structure of Formula One, the new X Games League will see athletes from multiple action sports disciplines combine to form teams that will compete across a year-round calendar of events.

“In essence, we’ve used Formula One as a model for this X Games League,” said X Games executive chairman, Jeff Moorad.

“To that end, we are creating a year-round calendar and introducing new commercial opportunities to accelerate the overall growth of the X Games.”

Currently, the X Games takes place over three events – one in California (summer), one in Japan (spring), and one in Aspen (winter). The new format will see two separate leagues – the Summer XGL and the Winter XGL, each with four events. Each league will have its own points structure that will decide both team and individual champions.

Teams will be assembled via an annual "industry-wide draft", with cross-discipline athletes joining forces. The Summer XGL will likely include skateboarding and BMX, while a motorcycle discipline is also a possibility. The Winter XGL will feature multiple disciplines across skiing and snowboarding.

The new league format is not dissimilar to LIV Golf, the radical Greg Norman-led competition that angered traditionalists and fans of the long-running PGA Tour.

An X Games Facebook post said the new format is born out of a desire to create "more opportunities for your favorite athletes".

"Not enough people are putting money into our industry," the post said. "We're putting the top athletes in a contest structure that is known and easily digested by the masses."

Australian snowboarder and nine-time X Games medallist Scotty James appears to have a strong influence in the creation of the new X Games League, with X Games partner ESPN naming him as a strategic adviser.

James is married to singer Chloe Stroll, the daughter of Aston Martin F1 owner Lawrence, and sister of F1 driver Lance. His relationship with the Stroll family and his links with Red Bull have seen him take an increased interest in Formula One racing – a possible catalyst for the new X Games format.

Also an Olympic medallist, the Warrandyte product is a casual fan of motocross.

Replying to a comment on the X Games Instagram page, James said: “Moto will always be part of X”, hinting at the inclusion of freestyle motocross in the new League.

Freestyle motocross was added to the X Games in 1999 – the fifth edition of the then annual action sports festival. Held on the shores of San Francisco Bay, 15-year-old Travis Pastrana won the first ever Moto X Freestyle event, which ended with him controversially jumping his bike into the water.  

In the years that followed, there were many iconic FMX moments at X Games, including Mike Metzger landing the first backflip at the Games in 2002, Brian Deegan and Pastrana’s battle to land the 360 in 2003, Nate Adams defeating Pastrana for the first time in 2004, and Pastrana landing the first double backflip in 2006.

X Games has also held motocross, step-up, flat track, endurocross, and supermoto events in its 30-year history.

The X Games began in 1995 as the Extreme Games – an action sports answer to the Olympic Games. It was first held in Newport in Rhode Island, before it found a regular home in California from 1997 onwards.

Events have also been held in Philadelphia, Austin, and Minneapolis and, since 2013, globally, including Sydney in 2018.

The Winter X Games began in 1997 at Big Bear Lake and has been held at Aspen, Colorado, since 2002, with additional events in Hafjell, Norway and Tignes, France.  

X Games Ventura is set to be held from June 28-30, 2024.