A first of its kind, the 2026 X Games League Summer Draft will take place on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Cosm Los Angeles in Hollywood Park where some of the most talented skateboarders in the game will be drafted to teams. What a time to be alive, right!?
Learn more about the X Games League in the video below, and let's talk about this upcoming skateboarding draft.
“Draft night plays a pivotal role in any professional athlete’s career, and the XGL draft will mark the beginning of a new era for our athletes, teams, and fans,” said Annie Lokesh, Head of X Games League. “Transitioning from invitation-only events to a draft-based co-ed professional league is a major step forward for the next generation of action sports athletes. Holding the draft at Cosm – a venue as iconic and innovative as the athletes being called to the stage – adds to the excitement and anticipation around the X Games League.”
The inaugural 2026 XGL Summer Draft will pull from a list of more than 150 skateboarders (and BMX athletes) from around the world, with general managers of the four teams selecting ten athletes each (five men, five women). And they're literally pulling out the red carpet for this one.
There's a lot to digest here, but things will start becoming a bit clearer in the coming months. I get what they're doing, but I'm curious to see how it's all gonna pan out nonetheless. I've said it before and I'll say it again—skateboarding is a million different things to a million different people, but there's no denying this is part of it these days.
As we learn more about participating skateboarders and managers, we'll be here to share. But for anyone interested, keep your eyes peeled and get the full XGL rundown below.
About X Games League (XGL)
Launching in 2026, the 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 city-based teams (four winter XClubs and four summer XClubs) comprised of the top athletes in the world competing for what will become the most coveted trophy in action sports.
For the first time in X Games history, athletes compete in a 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 far beyond existing prize purses, with additional earning potential as part of the league’s team model.
