The X Games League hosted its inaugural winter draft on September 16, 2026, where 40 elite skiers and snowboarders were chosen to compete on four newly formed clubs: XC Golden State, XC New York, XC Park City, and XC Whistler. From over 180 hopeful athletes, the selected participants represented 14 countries and ranged widely in age, including standout young talent Patti Zhou at just 14 and veterans like Mark McMorris, 32. Each team was required to draft balanced rosters of five men and five women athletes proficient in both skiing and snowboarding disciplines.

Top overall pick Eileen Gu, 23, from China, was selected first by XC Golden State for her exceptional versatility across halfpipe, slopestyle, and big air events. Other notable picks included Mark McMorris going second to XC New York and seven-time X Games gold medalist Alex Hall joining his hometown club, XC Park City. Some stars like Kelly Sildaru, despite being among the most decorated skiers in X Games history, were drafted much later than expected, demonstrating the unpredictability of the draft.

The X Games League redefines the traditional X Games format into a year-round, global, team-based competition, backed by title sponsor MoonPay who came on board in 2026. Following their spring summer draft and a successful season culminated by XC New York’s championship, the league is now setting the stage for a winter season with events in Aspen, Colorado, starting January 29, 2027, and a historic stop in Calgary, Canada, in February—the first time the X Games will be held in Canada in over three decades.

The winter season will build toward crowning its first-ever champion in Ruka, Finland, on April 11, 2027, showcasing a mix of rising promise and seasoned expertise across ski and snowboard competitions. The strategic roster selections and expanding global footprint underscore the X Games League’s ambition to grow freestyle skiing and snowboarding as a modern, competitive, and highly engaging sports entertainment platform.