The X Games, a hallmark of action sports culture, has officially partnered with cryptocurrency exchange platform MoonPay as the title sponsor for its forthcoming X Games League (XGL). This exciting collaboration was announced in September, positioning the MoonPay X Games as a transformative initiative aiming to enhance structure, visibility, and earning potential for athletes involved. The league is set for its inaugural launch in summer 2026, with plans to introduce a winter competition in 2027.
This groundbreaking three-year partnership includes category exclusivity for MoonPay in sectors like cryptocurrency, banking, and finance. The deal features a ‘pass-through model,’ which will allow MoonPay’s partners to leverage the sponsorship opportunity, facilitating increased engagement within the cryptocurrency ecosystem through various sponsorship activations attached to the XGL series.
Ivan Soto-Wright, the chief executive and founder of MoonPay, emphasized the long-term vision behind this collaboration. He expressed, “We’re thinking long term. X Games is becoming a real league, and that’s the moment to invest big.” The MoonPay X Games League is poised to prioritize athletes, merging cryptocurrency with a global audience in a novel and impactful way.
Before the emergence of this title sponsorship, the last standalone X Games event took place at Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen from January 23 to 25, 2026. Known for being traditionally driven by sponsorship deals, this marks the 25th consecutive year the X Games has graced Aspen.
Other notable partners include a variety of brands, from fast-food chain Sonic to beverage companies like Beatbox Beverages, 805 Beer, and Cerveza Pacifico Clara. Additional collaborations with Rivian in transport, Jarritos in soft drinks, and tech brands like Tech Deck and Skullcandy showcase a diverse sponsor portfolio. Activision, a titan in the gaming industry, has also aligned with the X Games, along with the US Army.
Further amplifying its reach, Monster Energy emerged as the first founding partner of the XGL series in 2025. In a recent development, the X Games has confirmed a strategic relationship with betting firm Stake, naming it the exclusive online casino and sports betting partner of the league. This partnership also includes plans for exclusive livestreaming on Stake’s Kick streaming platform.
The MoonPay X Games League promises to be a new era in action sports, encompassing four global events annually alongside dedicated summer and winter competitor drafts, aimed at enhancing the competitive landscape and engaging a diverse audience in the exhilarating world of action sports.
