Ahead of X Games Aspen 2026 Driven by Jeep®, returning to Buttermilk in Aspen Snowmass January 23-25 for its 25th consecutive year, X Games announced six additional Founder Athletes for the X Games League (XGL): Chloe Kim, Eileen Gu, Jamie Anderson, Mark McMorris, Scotty James and Zeb Powell.
This announcement follows last summer’s unveiling of the League’s Summer Founder Athletes: legendary skateboarders Leticia Bufoni, Nyjah Huston, Ryan Sheckler and BMX innovator Ryan Williams, rounding out a roster of ten of the world’s most influential action sports athletes.
These elite athletes will play a pivotal role in guiding the X Games League as it evolves into a new era of competition that celebrates progression, athlete storytelling, and year-round fan engagement. As Winter Founder Athletes, they will provide input on competition formats, advise on athlete experience, and help shape the creative and cultural direction of the teams and league.
“We couldn’t imagine ushering in this new era of action sports with a more iconic group,” said Annie Lokesh, Head of XGL. “Welcoming them as XGL Founder Athletes underscores the mission of the X Games League: to propel action sports forward by building an athlete-first, team-powered, professional league that champions progression, fosters community, and inspires the next generation of fans around the world. Each of these men and women have advanced their sport in unforgettable ways, and their leadership will be instrumental as we launch and scale something as ambitious as the X Games League.“
XGL Winter Founder Athletes
- Chloe Kim – A global snowboarding phenom, Kim is an eight-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Olympic champion who has redefined the limits of women’s Snowboard SuperPipe with her groundbreaking runs and global influence on the sport.
- Eileen Gu – One of the most dynamic figures in freeskiing, Gu holds multiple X Games medals across SuperPipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air, alongside two Olympic golds and a silver. A global icon, Gu is redefining women’s freeskiing.
- Jamie Anderson – With 21 X Games medals, including 8 golds, and two Olympic golds in Slopestyle, Anderson is one of the most decorated snowboarders in history. Her creativity, consistency, and longevity continue to inspire the next generation.
- Scotty James – A seven-time X Games gold medalist and two-time Olympic medalist, James is known for his technical precision, unmatched amplitude, and signature SuperPipe style, making him one of the most celebrated winter athletes of all time. Scotty serves as both a strategic advisor and active X Games athlete, dedicated to advancing the sport and inspiring the next generation of snowboarders.
- Mark McMorris – The most decorated winter athlete in X Games history, McMorris holds a record 24 X Games medals — including 11 golds — across Slopestyle and Big Air in a storied 15-year X Games career. He holds the most X Games Slopestyle gold medals and three Olympic Slopestyle bronze medals.
- Zeb Powell – Known for his distinctive style and electric creativity, Powell became a breakout star in X Games’ Knuckle Huck, earning gold in his debut at X Games Aspen 2020 and silver at X Games Aspen 2024. He recently became the first snowboard athlete to sign with Jordan brand, sealing his status as a cultural icon in the sport.
Fans can catch some of these athletes in action at X Games Aspen from January 23 – 25, 2026. Coverage will air live on ESPN, ABC, and YouTube. Follow along as the journey toward the launch of X Games League begins, reshaping the future of action sports for athletes and fans alike.
ABOUT X GAMES
Since 1995, X Games has defined action sports—from Tony Hawk’s 900 to Shaun White’s halfpipe dominance to the rise of BMX and skateboarding as global forces. Over 30 years, it has become more than a competition: it’s a cultural touchstone, blending sports, music, fashion, and community. For more information, visit www.xgames.com, or follow @xgames on TikTok, X, Instagram or Facebook.
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 Clubs (four winter XClubs and four summer XClubs) that fuse geographical identity with global athletic talent as they compete. These Clubs will be 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 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 far beyond existing prize purses, with additional earning potential as part of the league’s team model. To learn more, visit xgames.com/xgl/ or follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
