A spectacular Ventura sunset from last year’s X Games. Photo courtesy of Visit Ventura.
The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated X Games Ventura, set for June 28-30 at the Ventura Fairgrounds. After last year’s hugely popular event, the summer games are returning to Ventura, where some of the world’s top extreme athletes will compete against the stunning coastal backdrop. “Southern California is the birthplace of action sports and a culture that is now global,” said long-time host and recently appointed X Games Chief of Sports Culture Selema Masekela. “Last year was legendary, so we are excited to return to Ventura and turn things up a notch.”
Last year’s event drew an estimated 52,000 attendees. This year, the City of Ventura, Visit Ventura, and local partners are collaborating to ensure sustainable travel options, ease traffic impacts, and foster community involvement throughout downtown. “To say we’re stoked is an understatement,” said Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of Visit Ventura. “We’re still beaming with hometown pride with what took place in our Ventura last year. We’re excited to make this summer even better… We’re ready to see athletes break more records and do it all by the beach with our coastline as the perfect backdrop. We’re stoked — let’s do this!”
In an announcement on the official X Games Ventura website, organizers promise this year’s event will be bigger and better than last year, with a larger footprint and improved viewing options, new medaled events and greater experiences, “We’re stoked to be bringing a full-fledged festival experience to X Games Ventura 2024 presented by SONIC, featuring special musical guest appearances, art installations, cultural activations, immersive brand experiences, and of course all the action sports.”
Tony Hawk, a pioneer of vertical skateboarding and one of the most famous figures in the sport’s history, is a 10-time X Games gold medalist and telecast host. When asked about the significance of the summer event, Hawk said, “X Games is a breeding ground for milestones in our sports. It’s where the best in the world consistently go for their biggest, their best, and their firsts. This summer will be huge for action sports, but X Games is where the athletes choose to showcase their most innovative tricks and progressive runs. Ventura will witness history in the making.”
Single day tickets start at $61. Children under five are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Locals enjoy a 15% discount using this code: XGV24LOCAL. The discount applies to general admission, superfan, bleacher, VIP, Owner’s Club, and Club ’95 tickets. Go to www.VisitVentura.com or www.XGgames.com for more information and purchase tickets.
Women’s BMX Park Medaled Event
X Games organizers have doubled down on their commitment to the progression of women’s sports, with the debut of Women’s BMX Park in Ventura as a medaled event. Athletes participating in the event will include several Olympians, including Team USA’s Hannah Roberts who earned silver at Tokyo 2020. “I’ve always dreamed of competing in X Games and it was never a possibility until this year,” said Roberts. “ Women and girls are bringing so much progression, creativity and energy into action sports across the board and it is exciting to see X Games continue to grow these sports for the next generation.”
Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick will also make its debut this year, giving 11-year old Reese Nelson another opportunity to showcase her extensive skills. Nelson competed in the Women’s Skateboard Vert at X Games California 2023 at just 10 years, 8 months old, making her the youngest female competitor and second-youngest competitor in X Games history. Known for incredibly technical liptricks, including some never-been-done tricks, organizers believe there’s a strong possibility that she’ll bring something attendees have never seen before.
X Games Ventura 2024 Events Schedule
X Games Day 1, June 28
10:00 AM – Women’s Skateboard Park Elimination
11:15 AM – Women’s Skateboard Street Elimination
12:45 PM – Men’s Skateboard Park Elimination
2:15 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Elimination
3:30 PM – Women’s BMX Park Final
4:45 PM – BMX Dirt Elimination
6:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Vert Final
7:00 PM – Men’s BMX Street Final
8:10 PM – Moto X Best Whip
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 1
X Games Day 2, June 29
10:45 AM – Women’s Skateboard Street Final
12:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Park Final
1:15 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
2:00 PM – BMX Dirt Final
3:15 PM – Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
4:00 PM – Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick
5:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick
5:45 PM – Men’s BMX Park Final
7:15 PM – Moto X Best Trick
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 2
X Games Day 3, June 30
10:00 AM – Women’s Skateboard Park Final
11:30 AM – Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick
12:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Final
1:15 PM – Women’s Skateboard Vert Final
2:15 PM – Moto X QuarterPipe High Air
3:15 PM – BMX Dirt Best Trick
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 3
X Games Ventura Music Schedule
X Games Ventura features three-days of live music. Friday kicks off with multi-platinum selling recording artist Wiz Khalifa, AG Club and Oxymorrons. Saturday features Grammy-nominated Kaskade, Devault, Mija and Emo Nite. Sunday closes out the weekend with Fever 333, Blame My Youth and Metalachi. All music is included in the price of admission, see below for a tentative schedule of appearances by day.
Friday, June 28
Oxymorrons – 4:15 – 4:45 PM
AG Club – 8:30 – 8:55 PM
Wiz Khalifa – 9:15 – 9:45 PM
Saturday, June 29
Emo Nite – 12:00 – 12:30 PM
Mija – 4:30 – 5:00 PM
DEVAULT – 8:15 – 8:45
Kaskade – 9:00 – 9:30 PM
Sunday, June 30
Metalachi – 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Blame My Youth – 12:30 – 1:00 PM
Fever 333 – 3:45 – 4:30 PM
Getting to the X Games Ventura
There will be no event parking at Seaside Park. There are, however, plenty of options for stress-free travel to and from the X Games Ventura.
Ventura Shuttle Park-and-Ride
The Ventura Shuttle offers frequent, free trips to and from the Ventura Fairgrounds: Friday, 9 am – 11:30 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 11:30 pm; and Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm. Ventura Shuttle locations: Government Center, Pacific View Mall, Oxnard High School, Harbor and Seaward and DeAnza Middle School. Go to www.visitventuraca.com or www.cityofventura.ca.gov for more information.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Got family or friends traveling to Ventura for the X Games? They can arrive steps from the action – the train station is even closer than some parking spaces in the fairgrounds parking lot! Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner has a special schedule in place for the X Games, with two extra daily train trips to Ventura. In anticipation of increased ridership, reservations for travelers will be required from June 28 to 30. Space is limited, so customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early to guarantee available tickets. For information and to buy tickets, visit www.pacificsurfliner.com.
Buses
Gold Coast Bus will offer buses from the park-n-ride at the Pacific View Mall (3301 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93003) to the venue during X Games weekend. Purchase for $1.50/trip on the Token Transit App or the UMO App. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of transit. Parking is free at the mall. Gold Coast service can be taken from the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai and Port Hueneme. For more information, visit www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/routes-schedules/
Visit Ventura Drone Show: A celebration of X Games Ventura 2024
Watch as 500 drones take flight! The Visit Ventura Drone Show is a free, all-ages community event happening during the week of X Games Ventura 2024. This year there will be a total of five Visit Ventura Drone Shows. The shows will be visible from the Ventura Harbor, Downtown Ventura, and the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Visit Ventura Drone Show: Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesday June 26, 2024 9:00PM
Best Viewing Location: Ventura Harbor’s lawn area along the waterfront
Visit Ventura Drone Show: Downtown Ventura
Thursday June 27, 2024 8:45PM
Thursday June 27, 2024 10:00PM
Best Viewing Location: Intersection of California St and Main St looking up to City Hall
Visit Ventura Drone Show: Downtown Ventura
Friday June 28, 2024 8:45PM
Saturday June 29, 2024 8:45PM
Best Viewing Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds inside the X Games
Skate Jam: X Games Ventura 2024
Don’t miss Ventura Skate Jam, Thursday, June 27, 4 pm – 8 pm in downtown Ventura. This celebration of the skateboarding community offers open skate sessions, exciting competitions, and the chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts.
For children 10 years of age and younger, Skate and Create, a new Ventura skateboarding and art-based after-school program launching in Fall 2024, will be offering young participants an opportunity to skate in a mini skatepark and create their own custom t-shirts and skateboard decks. All skill levels are welcome, and skateboards and safety gear will be provided for those who don’t have their own.
