MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship Begins with Spectacular Day One
The inaugural MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship roared into life at the iconic Caesars Superdome, delivering an unforgettable opening day of world-class action sports. More than 80 athletes from 16 countries are battling across 20 events featuring skateboarding, BMX, Moto X, and for the first time in X Games Championship history, scooters.
With two days of competition still to come, the race for the inaugural X Games League (XGL) Championship is already taking shape. X Games Club (XC) Tokyo leads the standings with 1,970 points, followed closely by XC New York on 1,880 points. XC São Paulo sits third with 1,710 points, while XC Los Angeles remains within striking distance on 1,610 points.
Garrett Reynolds Makes More History
The opening medal event saw BMX legend Garrett Reynolds once again prove why he is considered one of the greatest riders in X Games history.
Representing XC São Paulo, Reynolds captured his record-extending 19th X Games gold medal in Monster Energy Men’s BMX Street, adding another remarkable achievement to an already legendary career. The victory also marked his 27th career X Games medal, moving him into second place on the all-time medal list alongside Nyjah Huston and behind only Bob Burnquist.
At 35 years old, Reynolds continues to defy expectations, earning a medal in 24 of his 26 BMX Street appearances.
Free Agent Tom Smillie secured silver after an impressive second run, while Australia’s Boyd Hilder completed the podium with bronze.
Following his victory, Reynolds praised the electric atmosphere inside the Superdome and credited the XGL team format for motivating him to push even harder throughout the season.
Wyatt Fontenot Delivers Hometown Gold
One of the day’s biggest emotional moments belonged to Louisiana native Wyatt Fontenot.
Competing in front of family, friends and hometown supporters, Fontenot produced a stunning performance to win Moto X Best Whip, earning his first-ever X Games gold medal after claiming bronze earlier this season in Sacramento.
Photo Credit: Swanberg / X Games
The local favourite celebrated the victory with visible emotion, describing the years of sacrifice, hard work and balancing full-time employment before finally achieving his dream of becoming a professional rider.
Veteran Tom Parsons added another silver medal to his impressive collection at 44 years old, while Belgium’s Julien Vanstippen claimed bronze.
Scooter History Is Made
Day One also introduced a historic first for the X Games.
The inaugural Bluff Scooter Park Best Trick competition became the newest Spotlight Event, showcasing the incredible progression of scooter riding on the world’s biggest action sports stage.
Great Britain‘s Jack Ward delivered an unforgettable backflip double front scooter flip to earn the first-ever gold medal in the discipline.
American Cody Flom finished second, while Switzerland’s Matis Neyroud rounded out the podium after landing an impressive 360 frontflip.
Fans attending the event can vote throughout the weekend on whether the discipline becomes a permanent fixture in future X Games events.
Mizuho Hasegawa Continues Historic Season
Just 15 years old, Mizuho Hasegawa continues to rewrite the X Games record books.
Representing XC Tokyo, Hasegawa claimed gold in MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert, extending her lead in the XGL MVP race and moving one step closer to becoming the first female athlete to win three gold medals at a single X Games since 2006.
The victory marked her 11th career X Games medal and an incredible sixth medal of the 2026 season, making her the first athlete ever to achieve six X Games medals in a single calendar year.
Australian prodigy Mia Kretzer, who is still only 11 years old, earned silver, while Japan’s Asahi Kaihara secured bronze.
Juni Kang Completes Perfect 2026 Sweep
South Korea‘s Juni Kang maintained his flawless record in Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick, winning his third consecutive gold medal in the discipline this season.
The victory strengthens Kang’s position in the XGL rankings after entering New Orleans as the highest-ranked Undrafted Free Agent. Impressively, he has now earned medals in all six of his X Games appearances.
American Braden Hoban claimed silver, while Julian Agliardi, stepping in for Nyjah Huston as an XC New York call-up, celebrated a memorable bronze medal finish.
Day One Results
Monster Energy Men’s BMX Street
- 🥇 Garrett Reynolds (XC São Paulo) – USA
- 🥈 Tom Smillie (Free Agent) – USA
- 🥉 Boyd Hilder (Free Agent) – Australia
Moto X Best Whip
- 🥇 Wyatt Fontenot – USA
- 🥈 Tom Parsons – USA
- 🥉 Julien Vanstippen – Belgium
Bluff Scooter Park Best Trick
- 🥇 Jack Ward – Great Britain
- 🥈 Cody Flom – USA
- 🥉 Matis Neyroud – Switzerland
MoonPay Women’s Skateboard Vert
- 🥇 Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo) – Japan
- 🥈 Mia Kretzer (XC Los Angeles) – Australia
- 🥉 Asahi Kaihara (Free Agent) – Japan
Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
- 🥇 Juni Kang (Free Agent) – South Korea
- 🥈 Braden Hoban (Free Agent) – USA
- 🥉 Julian Agliardi (Free Agent) – USA
With records falling, hometown heroes shining and new disciplines making history, the MoonPay X Games New Orleans 2026 Championship has delivered an exhilarating opening day. As the battle for the inaugural XGL Championship intensifies, fans can expect even more breathtaking performances and unforgettable moments over the remaining two days of competition.
