As we previously reported, Halloween Hellbomb parted ways with Thrasher last year after a riot forced the crew to take the streets of Los Angeles.
READ MORE: Thrasher’s Halloween Hellbomb Descends into Absolute Mayhem in Downtown LA, Robotaxi Destroyed
The incident caused the event to shut down, and the Hellbomb crew had to continue with a private event. They even had to upload the 2025 video to an independent YouTube channel.
READ MORE: Halloween Hellbomb Parts Ways with Thrasher, Launches Independent YouTube Channel
As a result, Halloween Hellbomb 2026 became an invitation-only event and faced backlash from the skateboarding community, as it should have remained a public event from the very beginning.
Skaters have been calling out Halloween Hellbomb for gatekeeping the event from the community instead of sticking to the old tradition of skate and destroy.
READ MORE: Halloween Hellbomb Faces Backlash Over Invite-Only Event After Parting Ways with Thrasher
Still, skaters are complaining that the video should be 15 minutes long, but instead, it’s a short clip featuring an event held in a private space for their homies only.
Some skateboarders are saying this is becoming like the X Games and SLS, suggesting it could soon become corporate. Others are outraged that the event may start selling tickets, making it less accessible to the community.
Thrasher posted:
“They tried banning the Hellbomb in LA, but blood runs through the streets once more. Don’t miss the sacks, slams, and camera casualties at skateboarding’s best costume party.”