2026 Olympic Men's Snowboard Halfpipe Prediction & Preview
Updated July 9, 2026
As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games unfold in Milan‑Cortina, the men’s snowboard halfpipe event is always one of the most anticipated snowboarding events. With the world’s most accomplished riders converging in Livigno, recent results from World Cup events and updated betting markets reveal a clear favorite and several riders who will try to take him down. Here, I break down this event and give you my men's snowboard halfpipe prediction for the Olympics.
This Olympic halfpipe competition is a sign of progression in the discipline as the global hierarchy in the sport continues to shift. One of the top storylines centers on Scotty James, the Australian veteran who has been chasing Olympic gold for nearly a decade. With podium finishes at the last two Winter Games, including a silver in Beijing and bronze in PyeongChang, James is desperate to claim the top spot on the biggest stage in his fifth Olympic appearance. His extensive championship pedigree, highlighted by multiple world titles and recent World Cup success, has propelled him into the status of favorite in the betting markets.
Japan’s snowboard program has emerged as a powerhouse in recent seasons. Riders including Yuto Totsuka and the Hirano brothers, Ayumu and Ruka, have consistently challenged for top positions on the World Cup circuit. Totsuka’s explosive performances and trick innovation have translated into high World Cup rankings. Ayumu Hirano, the defending Olympic champion, enters the Games dealing with injury but remains a formidable threat. The Japanese squad’s depth is part of a broader trend at these Games, where Japan has repeatedly demonstrated top‑tier performances across snowboarding events.
Australia’s youthful star Valentino Guseli is also worth watching in this competition. While his odds are longer due to a recent ACL injury and recovery, his past World Cup showings and technical upside make him worth monitoring, especially if he can deliver peak form during qualifications and finals. New Zealand’s Campbell Melville Ives could be an intriguing long shot as well. His breakthrough results in recent international competitions hint at a potential surprise performance on the biggest stage.
The United States, historically dominant in Olympic snowboarding, looks to be in a transitional phase, with fewer clear favorites in the halfpipe field compared to past Games. Alessandro Barbieri, one of the American entrants, holds respectable odds relative to the broader field and could be a candidate for a top‑eight finish or better, but the USA might not medal here at all.
Pick: Scotty James to win gold ATS PRO
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Scotty James stands out in this field for a number of reasons. His recent performances at major competitions have demonstrated that he remains at the forefront of halfpipe snowboarding skill and consistency. Despite having come up short of gold at past Olympics, his career arc and world championship success position him as the best bet for gold at these Games. I'll take the favorite to get the job done here despite some pressure from several high-level Japanese snowboarders.
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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