X GAMES LAUNCHES LEGENDS PROGRAM, THE FIRST-EVER ALUMNI INITIATIVE FOR ITS ATHLETES
Veteran Legends Program honors and supports the thousands of athleteS WHO HELPED SHAPE X GAMES AND ACTION SPORTS CULTURE, creating a lifelong connection to the X Games community
BOULDER, Colo. (October 20, 2026) – X Games today announced the launch of X Games Legends, the first formal alumni program in the brand’s 30-year history, created to recognize, reconnect and support the athletes who helped build X Games into one of the most iconic sports brands in the world.
Approximately 4,600 athletes have competed at summer and winter X Games since 1995. They include generations of pioneers, innovators, champions and cultural icons who pushed their sports forward and helped create what X Games is today.
Until now, X Games has never had a formal program dedicated to bringing that community together or supporting its athletes beyond their competitive careers.
X Games Legends changes that.
At the center of the program is a verified, members-only community open to every current and former X Games competitor, from today’s medalists to the pioneers who helped establish action sports on the global stage.
“Athletes built X Games. There is no X Games without the generations of people who put everything they had into progressing their sports, creating unforgettable moments and building this culture alongside us,” said Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games. “For 30 years, we never had a formal alumni program to recognize that contribution and keep this community connected. That needed to change.”
“X Games Legends is our way of saying: you helped build this, you will always be part of it, and you are always welcome here. We want our Legends at our events, connected to one another, connected to today’s athletes and continuing to benefit from the platform they helped create.”
The program was created and is led by Kristi Leskinen, a former X Games freeskier who now serves as the brand’s first Legends Director.
“Thirty years of X Games competitors represent an extraordinary collection of athletes who shaped action sports history,” said Leskinen. “These athletes dedicated their lives to progressing their sports and building this culture. X Games Legends gives us a way to recognize that contribution, reconnect generations of competitors and create meaningful ways to support them long after their competitive careers end.”
Inside the X Games Legends Program portal, members can:
- Reconnect through a member directory and community map showing where Legends live and their X Games competition history, with the ability to communicate directly with one another.
- Request tickets and credentials to X Games events, ensuring former competitors remain part of the X Games community and feel welcome when X Games comes to town.
- Access exclusive benefits and pro deals from brands including Burton, Armada and Atomic.
- Explore paid and unpaid opportunities shared specifically with the Legends community, including brand partnerships, ambassador roles, media opportunities and other projects.
- Follow program news and athlete stories, receive X Games updates and pitch ideas directly to the organization.
Beyond reconnecting athletes, X Games Legends is designed to create lasting value throughout an athlete’s life after competition. Members can mentor younger athletes, develop new professional opportunities and remain connected to the sports and community they helped build.
In partnership with the X Games Foundation, the program also aims to expand resources available to athletes beyond competition, including financial education, post-athletic-career education and mentorship, and resources related to brain health and mental wellness.
The X Games Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to expand access to action sports, support the athletes who built the culture, foster innovation and strengthen the communities that inspire it.
Athlete Quotes
Travis Pastrana – 17-time (11 gold) X Games Moto X medalist and first rider to land a double backflip:
“X Games Legends is an amazing platform giving back to all the athletes that helped build action sports over the years. I’m honored to be a part of this community and excited to see every athlete included. The legends platform is designed to truly help connect all of these legends with brands and ideas that will continue to build action sports into the future. But just as important, Legends will give opportunities to those who risked life and limb to be a part of these amazing sports. The entire community together is stronger than any one of us on our own.”
Scotty James – 11-time (eight gold) X Games snowboard medalist:
“X Games has played such a huge role in shaping and pushing action sports forward. The Legends program is a great way to honour the athletes who have helped build that history, while bringing together generations of riders who continue to inspire what comes next. As someone who’s still competing, I think it’s really special to be part of a community that celebrates not just what we’ve achieved, but the impact we can continue to have on the sport and the next generation.”
Anthony Napolitan – BMX medalist and the first rider to land a double frontflip in the X Games:
“X Games is the premier platform for the progression of action sports. I really hope the Legends Program can become that for the post-career life of an athlete.”
Torah Bright – two-time X Games snowboarding gold medalist:
“When I look at the athletes I get to stand alongside as an X Games Legend, it’s pretty incredible. These are people who helped shape action sports and inspired generations. There’s so much collective experience and influence within this community, and I’m excited about the doors that can open when you bring everyone back together – not just to celebrate what we’ve done, but to see what we can do next!”
Greg Lutzka – two-time X Games skateboarding gold medalist:
“I’m stoked and honored to be recognized as an X Games Legend and to have the opportunity to be connected to this platform. Connecting with generations of X Games athletes I used to hang with from stop to stop in the athlete lounge is really cool.”
About X Games
X Games is the leading action sports brand globally, showcasing the world’s best athletes across skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X. Through world-class competitions, innovative media, and immersive fan experiences, X Games reaches millions of fans annually across broadcast, streaming, digital, and live events worldwide. For more information, visit xgames.com or follow X Games on TikTok, X, Instagram, or Facebook.
About MoonPay X Games League
Launched in 2026, the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) brings an exciting new extension to the iconic X Games brand as the world’s first year-round, team-based, co-ed league in action sports. The league features eight Clubs (four summer X Games Clubs and four winter X Games Clubs) that fuse geographic identity with global athletic talent as they compete.
For the first time in X Games history, athletes compete in a structured season and team-based format, allowing for season-long storylines and deeper athlete-fan engagement across broadcast, streaming, live events, and digital platforms. This represents a fundamental shift in the world of action sports as XGL aims to build stronger global presence and regional connections for athletes, teams, fans, and sponsors. The formation of XGL greatly expands compensation opportunities for athletes beyond existing prize purses, with additional earning potential as part of the league’s team model.
The MoonPay X Games League will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ and Disney+, Roku Sports Channel, X Games on YouTube and Kick. To learn more, visit xgames.com/xgl or follow X Games on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
About MSP Sports Capital
X Games is a portfolio company of MSP Sports Capital, a global private equity firm that invests in teams, leagues, and other businesses in the sports ecosystem. The firm pursues influential positions in mature sports companies and focuses on creating value and driving differentiated returns. MSP Sports Capital was founded by veteran investor-operators, Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi, whose expertise span the world’s largest sports leagues, including MLB, NBA, NFL, F1, and European football. For more information, please visit mspsportscapital.com.
