X Games Clubs have been established in Los Angeles, New York, São Paulo, and Tokyo.

At the inaugural “XGL Athlete Draft,” set to take place on March 12, 2026, at Cosm in Los Angeles, general managers will select 10 of the world’s top skateboard and BMX athletes.

The X Games League (XGL), launched out of Boulder, Colorado, officially announced on January 26, 2026 (local time) the first four teams—known as “X Games Clubs”—that will compete in the inaugural X Games League Summer Season in 2026.

The newly announced clubs consist of four teams based in Los Angeles, New York, São Paulo, and Tokyo—cities globally recognized as hubs of creativity and action sports. X Games positions the launch of these clubs as a bold evolution for the future of BMX and skateboarding.

The X Games Clubs were established to merge each region’s strong identity with world-class talent, forming the foundation of X Games League’s year-round, team-based competition model.

Moving forward, each club will serve as a core connection point for competition, culture, and local communities, while the X Games League aims to deliver a new kind of action sports experience for both athletes and fans.

“These four X Games Clubs represent the next evolution of X Games,” said Annie Lokesh, Head of X Games League.

The inaugural X Games Clubs will serve as the foundation for the league’s mission: to inspire the next generation of professional athletes and fans around the world.

For the first time, athletes who once competed for “the moment” will now compete as part of a team—becoming figures that fans can support and connect with on a deeper level.

By linking elite athletes with the identity of professional sports teams, they will become more relatable, fostering the growth of new, community-based fanbases rooted in each region.

X Games League 2026: X Games Clubs & General Managers

The X Games League has announced the appointment of four General Managers (GMs) for the 2026 Summer Season. The selected GMs are Bob Burnquist, Harumi Suzuki, Cheralyn “Haze” Hazen, and Steve Rodriguez.

Each GM will be responsible for building a strong and competitive foundation for their team—overseeing athlete selection and team strategy, driving partnership development, and working closely with league operations as well as content and marketing divisions.

Each X Games Club will consist of 10 elite athletes—five men and five women—from the worlds of skateboarding and BMX. These athletes will be selected at the inaugural “XGL Athlete Draft,” set to take place on March 12, 2026, at Cosm in Los Angeles.

With the global action sports community watching closely, this draft will shape the “DNA” of the league’s very first Summer Season. The season is scheduled to kick off on June 26, 2026, in Sacramento, California.

About Bob Burnquist, General Manager of X Games Club São Paulo

Bob Burnquist is one of the most influential figures in X Games history. Through his long competitive career, creativity, and relentless pursuit of progression, he has made a profound impact on the global skateboarding scene.

A Brazilian-American who turned professional in his teens, he has continuously expanded the possibilities of skateboarding through top-tier competitions, groundbreaking video parts, and a unique philosophy that blends performance, imagination, and personal growth.

His lifestyle also extends beyond skateboarding. As a pilot and skydiver, he lives with a constant drive for exploration and inspiration. At the same time, as the leader of Instituto Skate Cuida, he actively promotes sustainability, education, and social contribution through skateboarding.

As the GM of X Games Club São Paulo, Burnquist brings a deep understanding of both competition and crew culture, along with a philosophy centered on “growing together.” He aims to build a team grounded in humility, creativity, and mutual support—while honoring skateboarding’s authentic roots and creating an environment that fosters performance, progression, and long-term development.

About Harumi Suzuki, General Manager of X Games Club Tokyo

Harumi Suzuki is a leading figure in the fields of global sports media, communications, and event operations, with deep roots in action sports culture.

Her career spans from international action sports competitions to some of the world’s largest sporting events. She has served as the PR lead for X Games Japan, as well as Head of Main Press Center operations for both the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paris 2024 Olympics. She has also worked in marketing and communications roles for Red Bull and PUMA.

Currently based in Japan, she is dedicated to amplifying athletes’ voices and building media strategies that connect sports with fans around the world. As the GM of X Games Club Tokyo, Suzuki will leverage her strategic vision, cultural insight, and on-the-ground execution to guide the team toward the next generation of competition.

About Cheralyn “Haze” Hazen, General Manager of X Games Club Los Angeles

Cheralyn “Haze” Hazen is a highly accomplished leader in athlete marketing and an experienced strategist, known for her work in building athlete-driven initiatives and culturally impactful sports platforms.

In recent years, she has served as the co-founder and Athlete Marketing Manager of The Uninvited Invitational, where she has elevated athlete voices and developed innovative events, partnership strategies, and storytelling frameworks that deepen connections with fans.

As the GM of X Games Club Los Angeles, Hazen will bring a rare combination of athlete advocacy, business strategy, and strategic leadership to the league’s inaugural season. She will play a key role in shaping team and athlete strategies, leading partnership development, and working closely with league operations as well as content and marketing teams to build a strong foundation across both competition and culture.

About Steve Rodriguez, General Manager of X Games Club New York

Steve Rodriguez is an experienced leader and entrepreneur in both creative and business fields, as well as a lifelong skater. With deep knowledge of brand strategy and community building, he has had a significant impact on New York’s skate scene.

He is the founder of 5Boro Skateboards, one of New York’s most iconic skateboarding brands, and an accomplished skatepark designer who has contributed to the development of 15 skateparks, including LES Skatepark, Maloof Skatepark, and Astoria Skatepark.

In recent years, he has also played a key role in preserving the legendary Brooklyn Banks. Having lived in New York for 33 years, Rodriguez has long been dedicated to promoting free public skate spaces and community-driven sports infrastructure.

As the GM of X Games Club New York, he will bring his deep cultural understanding and executive leadership to the X Games League. His vision is to build a high-performance team environment, balance creativity and business, and activate both athletes and local communities—guiding XC New York to become a globally resonant sports brand with strong cultural value.

Each X Games Club will launch its own dedicated website and social media accounts (listed at the end of the article). Through these platforms, fans will be able to access player rosters, behind-the-scenes content, local events, and the latest season updates.

For more details on the X Games League, X Games Clubs, the Athlete Draft, and the 2026 Summer Season schedule, please refer to the link (redirects to an English website).

About the X Games League (XGL)

The X Games League (XGL), launching this year, introduces a groundbreaking new format to the iconic X Games brand as the first-ever action sports league to adopt a season-long, team-based, and mixed-gender structure.

The league will feature a total of eight X Games Clubs—four for the winter season and four for the summer season—bringing together geographic identity and the world’s top athletes in a team-based competition format.

These clubs are made up of elite athletes from across the action sports world, who will compete as teams for one of the most prestigious titles in the industry.

This structure enables ongoing storylines throughout the season, creating deeper connections between athletes and fans through television broadcasts, streaming, live events, and digital platforms.

As a new league model, XGL represents a major turning point in action sports—aiming to strengthen both global presence and local connections among athletes, teams, fans, and sponsors.

Additionally, the launch of XGL provides athletes with opportunities to earn beyond traditional prize money, expanding their potential income streams as members of professional teams.

Photo: ©︎ X Games