Since its inception in the United States in 1995, the “X Games” has captivated over 6 million spectators in 12 countries worldwide, creating a truly supreme stage. When news of its arrival in Japan spread, countless riders across the country were thrilled.

In sports like skateboarding, BMX, and FMX, countless athletes say they “jumped into the scene after watching X Games videos.” Many athletes in Japan have honed their skills on the streets and in parks, aiming to stand on that coveted stage. That real dream has finally become a reality at a stadium located on the bayside of Chiba.

Four years have passed since then. The scene has moved from ZOZO Marine Stadium to Makuhari Messe, and then to Kyocera Dome Osaka, each year etching new vibes and history: the youngest champion, the long-awaited gold medal, the world premiere of a spectacular trick, and the joyous and tearful podium. More than just a global event brought to Japan, X Games Japan has completely merged with domestic action sports culture, becoming a sacred ground that produces unique dramas that can only be woven here.

In 2026, with the launch of the new professional league, “X Games League (XGL),” adopting a team system, and the scene’s attention reaching unprecedented levels, let’s take a look back at its journey so far.

2022: Arrives in Japan. The first event saw top Japanese riders shine at the sacred ground.

“It’s a miracle that the X Games are being held in Japan. It’s been my dream competition since I was a child, and I’ve always watched it. I’m so happy that it came to Japan and that I was able to win it.”

These were the words of Yuto Horigome, who won the men’s skateboard street event held on April 24, 2022, at a special park at ZOZO Marine Stadium. On the day that this mega-event, which has captivated top players from around the world, landed in Japan, the excitement of domestic competitors who had been striving for this stage reached its peak.

The inaugural “X Games Chiba 2022 Presented by Yogibo” featured 10 events across three disciplines: skateboarding, BMX, and Moto X. Amidst a huge turnout of 40,000 spectators over three days, the local Japanese competitors made a tremendous charge.

In both the men’s skateboard street and women’s skateboard park events, Japanese competitors completely dominated the podium. Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Yuto Horigome and Sakura Yosozumi demonstrated their overwhelming talent on the stage they had always dreamed of, and reigned supreme at the top.

What’s even more noteworthy is the return of BMX flatland as an official X Games event after a 19-year absence. Kio Hayakawa, who was suddenly given a spot as a reserve, rode with a heartfelt promise to the rider who was forced to withdraw: “I’ll give it my all for him.” He brilliantly won the gold medal. The story behind this result goes beyond a simple record of wins and losses, proving the depth of the culture inherent in the BMX scene and the strong bonds between riders.

2023: A remarkable achievement defying bad weather. The birth of a 13-year-old rising star and a dramatic comeback.

The following year, “X Games Chiba 2023” was held again, based at ZOZO Marine Stadium. The second day was canceled due to bad weather, making it a tough tournament, but the numerous remarkable achievements made at this event continue to be talked about as a legend that will never fade.

The biggest shock to the scene was the unprecedented achievement of Ginwoo Onodera, then only 13 years old, in the men’s skateboard street event, becoming the youngest ever winner of an X Games title. His otherworldly style, effortlessly navigating tight sections as if controlling a video game controller, shook the global skateboarding community.

In the women’s skateboard park event, Cocona Hiraki achieved her long-awaited first X Games title, once again demonstrating that Japan’s park scene is among the world’s best. Furthermore, in the BMX park best trick session, Ryan Williams landed the world’s first “900 Flare” in an official competition, sending the stadium’s energy to its peak.

In the skateboard vert best trick competition, Japan’s Moto Shibata perfectly executed a “kickflip McTwist” to take the provisional lead, but Elliot Sloan dropped a “cab heelflip indy 720” at the last moment to snatch the victory. This dramatic last-minute comeback was the kind of excitement you only get in a one-shot best trick competition.

And in BMX flatland, Yu Katagiri took the gold medal in his X Games debut. Although he had been invited as a reserve rider the previous year, the chance to compete never came his way. In the final, he faced Canada’s Jean William Prevost — the very rider he was hoping to avenge after losing to him in the final of the “Red Bull Circle of Balance” the previous December.

Katagiri sealed the win with his signature “Full Bike Flip,” a trick no other rider could pull off, and the moment he landed it, his fellow competitors rushed over to hoist him onto their shoulders in celebration, embodying the warm community spirit of this culture.

2024: The stage is Makuhari Messe. A supreme, high-level battle supported by mutual respect.

The “X Games Chiba 2024,” which underwent its third renewal, moved its base from a stadium to the indoor Makuhari Messe. The indoor setting completely eliminated weather risks, creating a space where the audience could experience world-class vibes from a tighter, more direct distance.

This year, too, there was a series of exciting sessions where the title of “world first” was thrown around. In the men’s skateboard street, Sora Shirai achieved his long-awaited first gold medal. In the best trick category, Keyaki Ike cleanly executed the incredible skill of a “nollie backside bigspin heelflip backside tailslide,” reaching the top of the podium.

In the best trick competition at the X Games, a legendary showdown unfolded that will be etched into the history of the event. Moto Shibata landed the world’s first “Front Foot Impossible Lean Air 540,” an extremely difficult trick, and took the provisional lead. However, immediately afterward, Gui Khury pulled off another unprecedented new trick, the “Kickflip Body Varial 900,” to take the lead. It was an unprecedented dead heat, with two riders performing world-first new tricks in the same jam session. The moment Khury landed the trick, it was Shibata himself, the one who had been narrowly beaten, who rushed over to him first to show his respect. The beauty of street culture, connected by a spirit of respect, was clearly present there.

In the BMX scene, Rim Nakamura won a silver medal in the park event, his first in five years, and the countdown to his long-awaited victory has finally begun. In BMX Street, Garrett Reynolds secured his 16th X Games gold medal, further extending his own record for the most gold medals won in the series.

2025: The Osaka Games were held. The dome erupted in excitement at the fulfillment of a long-held dream and a historic achievement in their home city.

And then there’s the still-fresh “X Games Osaka 2025.” With the world’s attention focused on the event, the contest moved to Kyocera Dome Osaka, marking the first time the X Games have been held in the Kansai area. The overwhelming scale of the completely enclosed dome space intensely reflected the engine echoes of the Moto X bikes, raising the audience’s energy to an all-time high.

This competition will be a historic one for the Japanese BMX scene.

In the BMX Park event, Japan’s undisputed ace, Rim Nakamura, snatched his long-awaited first X Games gold medal. After winning a silver medal in 2019, he overcame numerous setbacks that left him just outside the podium, finally reaching the top of the world in his home region of Kansai. The scene of his fellow competitors gathering around Nakamura with tears in their eyes spoke volumes about the weight of the process one rider has gone through. This also marks a significant milestone as it is the first gold medal won by a Japanese rider in a BMX category other than flatland.

Meanwhile, in BMX flatland, top domestic riders Yohei Uchino, Moto Sasaki, and Yu Katagiri dominated the podium. In particular, 42-year-old legend Yohei Uchino, who holds 11 world titles but had yet to win an X Games gold medal, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the second oldest gold medalist in X Games history.

The drama continued in skateboarding. In men’s street, Kairi Netsuke avenged his previous year’s defeat, achieving his long-awaited first victory. Arisa Trew achieved a double victory in vert and park, breaking the record for the most gold medals won by a female skater. Gui Khury won both the vert and vert best trick titles for the second consecutive year in men’s vert.

Leaving behind value beyond the numbers: The seeds sown by X Games Japan for the next generation of Japanese sports.

Having held it four times, the impact that X Games Japan has had on the domestic action sports scene is immeasurable. Beyond the results, the palpable enthusiasm of the kids who attended the workshops and experience sessions, the cheers of the fans filling the venue, and the continuously improving quality of the tricks each year have undeniably built the foundation of this culture.

Now that Japanese riders are routinely achieving victories on the global top stage, we must not forget the daily hard work and street respect that underpins their success. As Horigome once reflected, skateboarding is gradually gaining wider recognition — and that is the tangible legacy that X Games Japan has left.

In 2026, with the dawn of a revolutionary new league, we will once again witness a new chapter in history. That much is certain.