by Visit Ventura
Visit Ventura has announced that in partnership with the City, Ventura County Coast, and Visit California, X Games is coming back to California. This summer marks three years since X Games fans have been able to watch Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X competitions in a large event format in person together. This summer, fans will be able to watch athletes soar to new heights with the Ventura coastline as the backdrop to the world’s most elite action sports event.
Fans will gather at the Ventura County Fairgrounds from July 21 to July 23 to watch more than 150 Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X Athletes compete at featured events including skateboarding park, street, street best trick, vert, and vert best trick; BMX park, park best trick, street, dirt, and dirt best trick; and Motocross quarterpipe high air, best trick, and best whip. The weekend will also feature an interactive festival and live music over the course of three days.
“For decades, California has been the epicenter of action sports, producing some of the most talented athletes in the world. It’s only fitting the X Games make their way back to the ultimate state for play to celebrate the culture that inspired these incredible events,” said Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta. “We’re honored to host the X Games in Ventura and can’t wait to see the next generation of extreme athletes take the stage.”
Ventura City Mayor Joe Schroeder, X Games CEO Steve Flisler, X Games Vice President of Fan Experiences & Hospitality Valerie Ryan, Beteta, Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere, Professional Skateboarder Curren Caples, and LOSSAN Managing Director Jason Jewel spoke at an in-person press conference to announce that X Games California 2023 is coming to Ventura.
“Ventura offers the ultimate playground for extreme sports enthusiasts. Our surf and skate culture is a key part of our community’s ethos and naturally compliments the energy and excitement of an international competition like this,” said Schroeder at the press conference. “We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes and fans to our community and showing the world all the unforgettable things Ventura has to offer.”
Visit Ventura’s relationship with the X Games goes as far back as 2019. Conversations around X Games coming to Ventura in 2020 were shut down when the global pandemic changed the way people gathered in person. “This has been a vision of mine, the Visit Ventura team, and Ventura partners to build relationships to bring an internationally recognized event to Ventura. The brand alignment is spot on and I am thrilled that the X Games will be a part of the fabric of our community,” said Visit Ventura President & CEO Marlyss Auster. “Needless to say, this is the result of an enormous amount of support, collaboration, and passion. We can’t wait for the X Games athletes, media, sponsors, and enthusiastic spectators to meet our Ventura. It really is happening, and it is going to be amazing!”
Professional skateboarder and Ventura resident Curren Caples also spoke during the press conference.
X Games California 2023 will be the largest event in Ventura’s history, with a record-breaking economic impact on the community. In 2019 —X Games’s last fully in-person summer event— the games brought $53 million into the city of Minneapolis. In 2023, the economic impact is anticipated to be even larger.
Around 17.5 hours of live television broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC and live streaming contributes to the media value of X Games California 2023 in Ventura.
A sustainable way to travel to Ventura should be at the forefront of fans’ minds: X Games, Visit Ventura, Visit California, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are partnering for a summer campaign to provide a sustainable way to travel up the coast. X Games fans will be dropped off at the Ventura train station, located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and a few feet away from the action.
“Ventura is excited to have the X Games as part of its community. X Games embodies the adventuresome spirit and inherent love of outdoor activities that we’re known for,” said Visit Ventura Board of Directors Chair Ed Wehan.
Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, May 10.
