For more than three decades, X Games has provided a stage for some of the most influential athletes in action sports. From groundbreaking tricks to performances that changed the direction of entire disciplines, generations of competitors have helped build the organization’s identity. Now, X Games is taking a significant step toward recognizing those contributions beyond the competition itself.
On October 20, X Games announced the launch of X Games Legends, the first formal athlete alumni program in the organization’s 30-year history. The initiative will connect current and former competitors while providing new opportunities, resources, and support for athletes long after their competitive careers have ended.
Approximately 4,600 athletes have competed in Summer and Winter X Games since the event began in 1995. That community includes pioneers who helped establish action sports on a global stage, championship-winning veterans, and athletes who continue pushing their disciplines forward today.
Despite their contributions to the growth of X Games, those athletes have never had a dedicated alumni network within the organization. The new program aims to change that by creating a lasting connection between the athletes and the community they helped build.
“Athletes built X Games. There is no X Games without the generations of people who put everything they had into progressing their sports, creating unforgettable moments and building this culture alongside us,” said X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom.
At the center of the initiative is a verified, members-only community open to every current and former X Games competitor. Participants will have access to an athlete directory and community map, allowing them to reconnect with former competitors, explore their shared competition history, and communicate directly with one another.
The program will also allow members to request tickets and credentials for X Games events, access exclusive benefits from brands including Burton, Armada, and Atomic, and explore professional opportunities involving sponsorships, ambassador roles, media projects, and other partnerships.
Leading the initiative is former X Games freeskier Kristi Leskinen, who has been appointed the organization’s first Legends Director. Her experience as an athlete provides an important perspective on the challenges competitors face as they transition away from professional competition.
Leskinen emphasized the importance of maintaining connections across generations of athletes and ensuring their contributions continue to be recognized. The program is intended to provide practical opportunities for former competitors to remain involved in action sports, whether through mentorship, business partnerships, or other professional pursuits.
That support extends into an area that deserves greater attention throughout professional sports: life after competition. Action sports athletes spend years putting extraordinary physical demands on their bodies, often building careers around risks that can have lasting consequences. The transition away from competition can also bring significant financial, professional, and personal challenges.
Through a partnership with the X Games Foundation, the Legends Program aims to expand access to financial education, career development, mentorship, and resources related to brain health and mental wellness. The foundation operates as an independent nonprofit dedicated to supporting athletes, expanding access to action sports, and strengthening the communities surrounding them.
Several influential X Games athletes have already expressed support for the initiative, including Moto X icon Travis Pastrana, snowboarder Scotty James, BMX rider Anthony Napolitan, snowboarder Torah Bright, and skateboarder Greg Lutzka.
Pastrana, an 11 time X Games gold medalist and the first rider to land a double backflip in X Games competition, highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for athletes who helped develop the sports. His support reflects the program’s larger purpose of keeping experienced competitors connected to the industry and giving them ways to contribute to its future.
Scotty James, an eight time X Games gold medalist who continues competing, also welcomed the opportunity to connect athletes across different generations. The program creates space for active competitors to learn from those who came before them while recognizing that an athlete’s influence can continue long after their final competitive run.
The launch comes during a period of significant change for X Games, which introduced the MoonPay X Games League in 2026. The new league format has expanded the organization’s competitive structure with season long club championships and additional earning opportunities for athletes. X Games Legends addresses a different but equally important part of that evolution, focusing on the people whose careers and contributions extend beyond the current competition calendar.
For an organization whose identity has always been built around progression, the creation of a formal alumni community is a meaningful development. The athletes responsible for some of the most important moments in action sports history have helped shape a culture that continues to influence new generations. Providing them with ongoing connections, recognition, and practical support is an important step toward acknowledging that legacy.
Current and former X Games competitors interested in participating can register through the organization’s official X Games Legends page.
Additional information is available in the official X Games announcement.
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