X Games Targets Future Outsiders With Rebrand and Global League

X Video games is coming into a brand new period to succeed in the following technology of maximum sports activities followers. The motion sports activities competitors right this moment revealed a sweeping rebrand, together with a brand new brand, id, and aesthetic designed to replicate its international ambitions and rebellious spirit. Driving the transformation is the brand new X Video games League (XGL), a team-based league set to debut in summer time 2026. Led by former WNBA government Annie Lokesh, the XGL will embody each summer time and winter editions, plus further occasions worldwide to create a 12-month aggressive calendar. The rebrand, created by company WKNDHRS, facilities athletes. The league is providing larger prizes and storytelling geared toward turning opponents into family names. It additionally launched a brand new AI-powered judging system to supply real-time, clear scoring.Greater than 150 athletes have declared for the XGL summer time draft to this point. The transfer helps X Video games place itself within the quickly rising sports activities betting and fantasy sports activities market, value an estimated $30 billion. In 2024, sports activities betting generated $13.7 billion in income, whereas fantasy sports activities is projected to hit $16.2 billion by 2030, in line with the American Gaming Affiliation and Grand View Analysis.Each sectors are additionally large attracts for youthful audiences beneath age 35. With its pageant environment and deal with fan expertise, X Video games has develop into as a lot a cultural as a sporting phenomenon, a gathering level for sports activities, music, style, and neighborhood. That’s mirrored in development throughout X Video games’ social platforms, with YouTube subscribers doubling to 2 million over the previous 5 years, a part of a complete attain of over 16 million throughout numerous channels.ESPN based the video games in 1995 as a showcase for motion sports activities like motocross, BMX biking, and skateboarding, earlier than the media firm offered its majority stake to MSP Sports activities Capital in 2022. The competitors turned well-known for that includes stars like Tony Hawk and Shaun White.“X Video games has all the time been the place outsiders turned icons and unattainable turned doable,” chief government Jeremy Bloom mentioned in a press release. “We’re staying true to that DNA—pushing limits, celebrating individuality, and difficult the established order—however we’re additionally reimagining what’s subsequent. That is greater than a rebrand. That is the way forward for sports activities.”