Roku and X Games have announced an expansion of their streaming partnership through a new multi-year rights deal that will exclusively bring the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) to the Roku Sports Channel. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in providing fans with free access to exciting competitions, set to debut nationwide starting in 2026. The inaugural summer season will kick off that year, followed by the first winter season in 2027.
The Roku Sports Channel promises to deliver comprehensive live coverage of each event, aimed at enhancing viewer engagement. Additionally, fans will be able to watch the first MoonPay X Games League Draft, which will stream live from COSM in Los Angeles, also at no cost.
This development builds on a remarkable growth trajectory for both Roku and X Games, particularly noted during the most recent X Games Aspen. There was a substantial 149 percent year-over-year increase in viewership on Roku, which significantly outpaced the overall growth in the TV platform sector, recorded at 105 percent. Impressively, 91 percent of the households that streamed the X Games on Roku were new viewers compared to the previous year, with female viewership increasing by an astounding 233 percent year-over-year.
Joe Franzetta, Head of Sports at Roku Media, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We’re proud of the partnership we have already built with X Games, bringing these exhilarating competitions to millions of homes and helping new fans discover this iconic sports league.” He also highlighted the intention to further engage die-hard fans and attract a new generation to the exciting formats being introduced.
The MoonPay X Games League is set to introduce a global, team-based approach to competitions across core disciplines including skateboarding, BMX, snowboarding, and skiing. This evolution includes structured seasons, team ownership, player drafts, and a dedicated media outlet tailored for streaming audiences, aiming to resonate with the preferences of contemporary sports fans.
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games, underlined the strategic direction of the league, noting, “Our audience is young, digital, and streaming-first. Roku has proven it can grow that audience in a meaningful way.” The extension of their partnership is seen as a robust indication of the momentum behind the league and its future potential.
The Roku Sports Channel, featuring this new content, is accessible for free through The Roku Channel, available on Roku devices and televisions, as well as on TheRokuChannel.com, iOS and Android platforms, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TVs, Google TVs, and other Android TV OS devices.
