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X Games

For the computer game series, see X (video game series).
Not to be confused with List of Xbox games.

X Games
SportExtreme sports
FoundedApril 12, 1994 (1994-04-12)[1]
First season1995
TV partner(s)ESPN
ESPN2
ESPN3 (live stream)
Atmosphere TV
ABC
Eurosport
ESPN Latin America
ESPN Brasil
Star+
NET. (2014)
Trans7
CTV
TSN
RDS
Official websiteXGames.com

The X Games are a series of action sports events founded by ESPN Inc. which air on the ESPN family of networks including ABC. The events are mainly held in the United States, with disciplines such as skateboarding, BMX, motocross, skiing and snowboarding. Participants compete to win bronze, silver, and gold medals, as well as prize money. Concurrent with competition is the "X Fest" sports and music festival, which offers live music, athlete autograph sessions, and interactive elements. The 2024 X Games Summer Edition will happen in Ventura, California on June 27-30.

The inaugural X Games were held during the summer of 1995 in Providence and Newport in Rhode Island. The competition often features new tricks such as Tony Hawk's 900 in skateboarding, Shaun White's Double McTwist 1260 in snowboard, Dave Mirra's Double Backflip in BMX, Travis Pastrana's Double Backflip in freestyle motocross, Heath Frisby's first snowmobile frontalis, Chuck Carothers's first body varial in Moto X Best Trick, Henrik Harlaut's first nose-butter triple cork in Ski Big Air, Gus Kenworthy's first switch triple rodeo in a ski slopestyle competition and Torstein Horgmo's first landed triple cork in a snowboard competition.

The X Games gained media exposure due to their big name sponsors, top-tier athletes, and consistent fan attendance. As the Journal of Sport Management (2006) explains, Generation X and Millennials are the two demographics most highly valued by marketers. This creates a broad approach on marketing towards that certain demographic, which is why the X Games marketing and economic outlook is so "out of the box". According to a 2008 report by ESPN, in 1997, the Winter X Games inaugural year, 38,000 spectators attended the four-day event. In 1998, the attendance dropped to 25,000 spectators. But just two years later, a record attendance of 83,500 people attended the Winter X Games East Coast debut. The X Games and Winter X Games continue to grow with the popularity of action sports and the athletes who compete in them.

As part of the X Games, there have been performances by various rock bands over the years, as well as a DJ being on-site at all events. The X Games have made it a point since its founding to stage an eco-friendly event. Such measures include using biodiesel fuel in their vehicles and organizing recycling campaigns.[2]

The X Games has never carried out drug tests on competitors, a position which has been criticized by the World Anti-Doping Agency director general David Howman and the International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.[3][4][5]

In late 2022, ESPN sold the event to MSP Sports Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad.[6] X Games California 2023 returned to its roots and the birthplace of action sports after a 10-year hiatus – showcasing the world’s best action sports athletes in the sports of Skateboarding, BMX and Moto X. [7] On Apr 3rd, 2024 X Games announced the return to Ventura for a 2024 edition. [8]

  1. ^ Daggett, Laurel (April 12, 2013). "Anniversary of the day the X Games were created coincides with inventor's retirement". ESPNFrontRow.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Coryell, Grace (January 25, 2012). "ESPN's working hard to keep the Winter X Games green". ESPN. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  3. ^ WADA Statement on X Games in Norway – World Anti-Doping Agency, February 22, 2016
  4. ^ ESPN pushing ahead with X Games Oslo despite criticism of drug-testing policy – Ben Fischer, Sports Business Daily, February 22, 2016
  5. ^ Bach Blasts X Games Oslo for No Drug Testing – Around the Ring, February 21, 2016
  6. ^ Etan Vlessing (October 26, 2022). "ESPN Sells 'X Games' Majority Stake to MSP Sports Capital". Variety.
  7. ^ Andrea DiCristoforo (July 17, 2023). "X Games California 2023 Competition Finals Begin Thursday on ESPN". ESPN.
  8. ^ William Barrios (April 3, 2024). "X Games Returns To Ventura This Summer". SecretLosAngeles.