The Champions of Xandar were originally known as The New Champions and named by Nova (Rich Rider) in order to defend Xandar from the Skrull Invasion. The New Champions consisted of Nova, the Comet, Crimebuster, Powerhouse and Diamondhead.

The team was formed by Nova's foe, the Sphinx, as part of a scheme to reach Xandar. After stopping the Sphinx, the team stayed together to fight in the Skrull/Xandar War. The New Champions stayed together for almost a year and pushed back the Skrull forces with the assistance of Rom. After the war, Rich Rider chose to relinquish his Nova powers in order to return to Earth. Nova's position in the team was filled by his successor, Centurion Nova Prime Tanak Valt.

After Rich Rider returned to Earth, the rest of the team stayed on the Xandarian homeworld and renamed themselves the Champions of Xandar. All of the Champions were killed during Nebula's destruction of Xandar.