X Games is betting that electronic music and action sports aren't just compatible—they're two expressions of the same culture. The Sacramento edition of the newly launched MoonPay X Games League, running June 26–28 at Cal Expo, features Kaskade and Subtronics as headliners alongside 18 medal competitions with over 100 skateboarders, BMX riders and Moto X athletes.

Why EDM fits the X Games blueprint

X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom—a two-time Olympian, four-time World Champion freestyle skier, former NFL wide receiver, and serial entrepreneur—sees the pairing as more than strategic. Both disciplines trade in tension and release, the kind of collective emotional peak that happens when a trick lands clean or a bass drop hits at exactly the right moment.

When asked about artist selection, Bloom emphasized energy and authenticity over pure name recognition. The music has to amplify what's happening on the course, not compete with it, he explained. EDM's intensity and momentum mirror the dynamics of competition, making it a natural creative partner for the event.

Pressure, preparation, and reading the room

Bloom's background spans multiple high-pressure arenas—he's also a former DJ for MTV and has raised tens of millions in venture capital. He draws parallels between elite athletes and top-tier DJs, noting that both must read energy in real time and execute under pressure. Preparation meets execution in a high-stakes moment, whether you're dropping into a halfpipe or standing in front of 100,000 people at Coachella, he said.

That cross-disciplinary fluency shapes how X Games approaches its music identity. Skateboarding legend Nyjah Huston is even DJing the kickoff party, underscoring the genuine overlap between the two worlds.

The Sacramento event marks a shift in how X Games positions its music programming, treating headliners as parallel attractions rather than warm-up acts. Both Kaskade and Subtronics performed at Coachella earlier this year.