September 16 @ 4:00 am – 6:00 am
MoonPay X Games League Winter Draft Set for September 16 at Cosm Los Angeles
The countdown to a new era in winter action sports is officially underway as the inaugural MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Winter Draft is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, at Cosm Los Angeles.
The highly anticipated event will run from 4 am to 6 am CAT and will see the world’s best male and female skiers and snowboarders selected by four regionally-based X Games Clubs ahead of the inaugural 2027 XGL Winter Season. Fans around the globe will be able to watch the Draft live below.
Following the successful launch of the XGL Summer Draft earlier this year, the Winter Draft will introduce a team-based format designed to elevate winter action sports by providing athletes with a consistent competitive platform across a dedicated season.
More than 180 elite athletes from around the world have opted into the draft process, with only 40 athletes earning roster spots. Each Club General Manager will draft 10 athletes — five men and five women — to complete their squads for the upcoming season.
Among the standout names eligible for selection are freestyle skiing superstar Eileen Gu, Estonian freeski sensation Kelly Sildaru, Japanese snowboarding prodigy Cocomo Murase, and decorated skier Alex Hall, who boasts 14 X Games medals across four disciplines.
Snowboarding legends will also be in the spotlight, including Canada’s Mark McMorris, the most decorated athlete in Winter X Games history with 26 medals, Australia’s five-time reigning SuperPipe champion Scotty James, and fan-favorite Zeb Powell, the Knuckle Huck gold medalist and Jordan Brand’s first snowboard athlete.
New Zealand’s rising star Luca Harrington will also attract significant attention after claiming back-to-back Slopestyle gold medals and Big Air silver in his first two X Games appearances.
“The MoonPay X Games League Winter Draft marks the start of a new era for winter action sports and we are all excited to see who is drafted to which Club,”.
said Annie Lokesh, Senior Vice President of X Games League
“A team-based model across a set season gives the world’s best skiers and snowboarders a bigger, more consistent stage. Having your name called at Cosm Los Angeles will be a historic moment for every athlete who is able to be in that room and tuning in from around the world.”
The evening will begin with a red-carpet arrival featuring invited athletes before draft selections commence. In the lead-up to the event, X Games digital and social platforms will spotlight draft-eligible athletes through exclusive content and highlights from major international competitions.
Fans will also have the unique opportunity to attend the Draft in person. Cosm Los Angeles‘ cutting-edge immersive venue will provide a front-row experience to the selections, athlete reactions, and behind-the-scenes access. A limited number of “Superfan” tickets will be made available, giving dedicated supporters the chance to witness history firsthand.
How the XGL Winter Draft Works
The draft follows a structured five-round format designed to build balanced and competitive Club rosters.
Each Club will make two selections per round — one male athlete and one female athlete — in a snake draft order. By the end of the fifth round, all four Clubs will have completed rosters consisting of five men and five women, creating a total pool of 40 drafted athletes.
Importantly, every Club roster must feature both skiing and snowboarding disciplines, ensuring representation across the core winter sports categories.
Athletes attending the Draft in person will be called to the stage upon selection. Those who are not drafted will remain eligible as free agents and may still compete at Winter X Games events or be called upon as injury replacements throughout the season.
While the full XGL Winter Season schedule and the remaining inaugural Clubs have yet to be revealed, excitement continues to build following the announcement of X Games Club New York (XC NY) as the first confirmed Winter Club.
With elite talent, a groundbreaking team format, and global broadcast coverage, the MoonPay X Games League Winter Draft promises to be a landmark moment that reshapes the future of winter action sports.
