History Made as XC New York Captures the Inaugural MoonPay X Games League Championship
History was written inside the legendary Caesars Superdome as XC New York claimed the inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Championship, edging rivals XC Tokyo by just 10 points in one of the most dramatic finishes in X Games history.
After championship stops in Sacramento, Chiba and New Orleans, the inaugural XGL season came down to the final run of the final event. Battling through torn ligaments, a fractured kneecap and multiple injuries, Daniel Sandoval produced a courageous performance in the Stake Men’s BMX Park final to secure fourth place—earning the points XC New York needed to lift the trophy, claim US$500,000 in prize money and become the first-ever XGL champions.
XC New York finished the season with 2,640 points, narrowly defeating XC Tokyo (2,630). XC Los Angeles secured third place with 2,380 points, while XC São Paulo ended fourth on 2,350 points.
XC New York General Manager Steve Rodriguez praised his squad’s commitment throughout the season.
“I felt like we won the draft. I always believed in this team. They always showed up, always performed and always had each other’s backs.”
Daniel Sandoval’s Heroic Effort Seals the Championship
The championship-deciding moment belonged to Daniel Sandoval, who refused to let serious injuries end his season.
Despite competing with torn ligaments, a fractured kneecap, rib injuries and a damaged wrist, Sandoval completed a gutsy second run to finish fourth in the BMX Park final. While he missed out on a medal, those valuable championship points proved decisive after XC Tokyo’s Kevin Peraza and Bryce Tryon were unable to capitalise in the closing stages.
Following the emotional victory, Sandoval summed up the moment simply:
“Forty-five seconds is all I needed. We got it by 10 points and it came down to the last run. I’m hurting so bad right now, but it was all worth it.”
Mizuho Hasegawa Crowned the First XGL MVP
While XC Tokyo narrowly missed out on the team championship, Japanese skateboarding sensation Mizuho Hasegawa enjoyed a season for the history books.
The 15-year-old secured the inaugural MoonPay X Games League MVP award after finishing the season with 680 points, comfortably ahead of Brazilian rival Gui Khury.
Hasegawa collected an astonishing eight medals across nine events during the 2026 campaign, including two gold, five silver and one bronze—a feat never before achieved in a single X Games season.
She also became the most decorated woman in Summer X Games history, surpassing the long-standing record of Leticia Bufoni and matching her remarkable consistency with another silver medal in Women’s Skateboard Park.
Despite claiming the MVP honour, Hasegawa remained focused on her teammates.
“I’m really happy that I was able to get the MVP, but I’m really disappointed XC Tokyo didn’t win the championship. Thank you to my teammates and everyone who supported us.”
Miharu Ozawa Completes a Perfect Season
Japan’s Miharu Ozawa continued her incredible rise by winning Stake Women’s BMX Park, making it three victories from three events during the 2026 season.
The 16-year-old became the first BMX rider since Dave Mirra to win three consecutive BMX Park competitions and strengthened her status as one of the sport’s brightest young stars.
Free Agent Kim Mueller claimed silver, while Olympic champion Hannah Roberts battled through a fractured leg to earn bronze for XC New York.
Tom Schaar Dominates New Orleans
Few athletes enjoyed a better weekend than Tom Schaar.
Photo Credit: Ballard / X Games
The XC Los Angeles captain captured gold in Men’s Skateboard Vert before adding another victory in the debut Stake Men’s Skateboard Park Best Trick, becoming the first athlete to win four medals at a single X Games event.
Schaar concluded the weekend with 24 career X Games medals, further cementing his place among skateboarding’s all-time greats.
Sky Brown Delivers for XC São Paulo
British-Japanese star Sky Brown produced one of the standout performances of the day by defeating MVP winner Mizuho Hasegawa to claim gold in Stake Women’s Skateboard Park.
Brown’s final run edged Hasegawa by less than two points and secured valuable championship points for XC São Paulo.
The victory gave Brown her fourth X Games Park gold medal, the most ever won in the discipline.
Brandon Loupos Returns to the Top
Australia’s Brandon Loupos ended an eight-year wait for another X Games gold by winning Stake Men’s BMX Dirt Best Trick.
Landing a flawless double backflip tailwhip into a double backflip, Loupos celebrated his first X Games victory since 2018 in an emotional moment dedicated to his family.
Momiji Nishiya Keeps XC New York Ahead
Olympic champion Momiji Nishiya delivered another championship-defining performance by winning Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick.
Her gold medal earned vital points for XC New York, keeping the club ahead of XC Tokyo heading into the final BMX Park contest where Sandoval ultimately sealed the championship.
Justin Dowell Ends the Season with Gold
The final medal event saw Justin Dowell capture gold in Stake Men’s BMX Park, ahead of Kieran Reilly and Marcus Christopher.
Photo Credit: Trang / X Games
Although Dowell competed as a Free Agent, the spotlight quickly shifted to Sandoval’s courageous fourth-place finish, which ultimately delivered the inaugural XGL title for XC New York.
Final XGL Championship Standings
- XC New York – 2,640 points
- XC Tokyo – 2,630 points
- XC Los Angeles – 2,380 points
- XC São Paulo – 2,350 points
New Orleans Day Three Results
Stake Women’s BMX Park
- 🥇 Miharu Ozawa (XC Tokyo)
- 🥈 Kim Mueller (Free Agent)
- 🥉 Hannah Roberts (XC New York)
MoonPay Men’s Skateboard Vert
- 🥇 Tom Schaar (XC Los Angeles)
- 🥈 Soya Inomata (Free Agent)
- 🥉 Luigi Cini (XC São Paulo)
Stake Women’s Skateboard Park
- 🥇 Sky Brown (XC São Paulo)
- 🥈 Mizuho Hasegawa (XC Tokyo)
- 🥉 Helli Sirvio (XC New York)
Stake Men’s BMX Dirt Best Trick
- 🥇 Brandon Loupos (Free Agent)
- 🥈 Brady Baker (XC Los Angeles)
- 🥉 Kaden Stone (Free Agent)
Stake Men’s Skateboard Park Best Trick
- 🥇 Tom Schaar (XC Los Angeles)
- 🥈 Keefer Wilson (Free Agent)
- 🥉 Luigi Cini (XC São Paulo)
Monster Energy Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
- 🥇 Momiji Nishiya (XC New York)
- 🥈 Yumeka Oda (XC Tokyo)
- 🥉 Coco Yoshizawa (XC Tokyo)
Stake Men’s BMX Park
- 🥇 Justin Dowell (Free Agent)
- 🥈 Kieran Reilly (Free Agent)
- 🥉 Marcus Christopher (XC Los Angeles)
The inaugural MoonPay X Games League Championship delivered everything action sports fans could have hoped for—historic performances, dramatic finishes and unforgettable resilience. From Daniel Sandoval’s heroic ride through injury to Mizuho Hasegawa’s record-breaking MVP campaign, the first XGL season has set a spectacular benchmark for the future of team-based action sports competition.
