X Video games is coming into a brand new period to succeed in the subsequent era of utmost sports activities followers.
The motion sports activities competitors in the present day revealed a sweeping rebrand, together with a brand new brand, id, and aesthetic designed to mirror its world ambitions and rebellious spirit.
Driving the transformation is the brand new X Video games League (XGL), a team-based league set to debut in summer season 2026.
Led by former WNBA government Annie Lokesh, the XGL will embody each summer season and winter editions, plus extra occasions worldwide to create a 12-month aggressive calendar.
The rebrand, created by company WKNDHRS, facilities athletes. The league is providing larger prizes and storytelling aimed toward turning opponents into family names. It additionally launched a brand new AI-powered judging system to supply real-time, clear scoring.
Greater than 150 athletes have declared for the XGL summer season draft to date.
The transfer helps X Video games place itself within the quickly rising sports activities betting and fantasy sports activities market, price an estimated $30 billion. In 2024, sports activities betting generated $13.7 billion in income, whereas fantasy sports activities is projected to hit $16.2 billion by 2030, in line with the American Gaming Affiliation and Grand View Analysis.
Each sectors are additionally massive attracts for youthful audiences below age 35.
With its competition environment and concentrate on fan expertise, X Video games has grow to be as a lot a cultural as a sporting phenomenon, a gathering level for sports activities, music, vogue, and group. That’s mirrored in development throughout X Video games’ social platforms, with YouTube subscribers doubling to 2 million over the previous 5 years, a part of a complete attain of over 16 million throughout numerous channels.
ESPN based the video games in 1995 as a showcase for motion sports activities like motocross, BMX biking, and skateboarding, earlier than the media firm bought its majority stake to MSP Sports activities Capital in 2022. The competitors grew to become well-known for that includes stars like Tony Hawk and Shaun White.
“X Video games has at all times been the place outsiders grew to become icons and unattainable grew to become potential,” chief government Jeremy Bloom stated in a press release. “We’re staying true to that DNA—pushing limits, celebrating individuality, and difficult the established order—however we’re additionally reimagining what’s subsequent. That is greater than a rebrand. That is the way forward for sports activities.”
