X Games is back in California!

X Games has announced its plans for the world’s most elite action sports athletes to light up the Southern California coast with a series of engaging events spanning from San Diego to Ventura. This July, X Games California 2023 will make a triumphant return to the roots of action sports inviting beloved fans back to the live action.

“I am looking forward to seeing X Games return to a big fan experience and to celebrate skateboarding like never before,” said 10-time X Games gold medalist Tony Hawk. “And I hope I can come up with some new tricks by then.”

This summer will mark the first time in three years since X Games fans came together to enjoy Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X competitions in a large event format, complete with a fan festival and music performances. Ventura, California will serve as the final stomping ground and last stop of the tour for the world’s best action sports superstars to compete at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center from Friday 21 July – Sunday 23 July 23 2023. The weekend will feature competitions, an interactive festival and live music over the course of three days.

“Our city has a long history of supporting big events and it is an honour to be selected by the X Games to host this prestigious international competition in July,” Ventura Mayor Joe Schroeder said. “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.”

“We are thrilled to return to the home of action sports this summer. We are reimagining events along the coast of California and strengthening the fan experience whether you’re watching live in-person or on broadcast,” said Steve Flisler, X Games CEO.  “Ventura is rolling out the red carpet. It provides the ultimate ocean and mountain backdrop to showcase never-been-done tricks and the progression of action sports, celebrating the greatest athletes on the planet in their respective disciplines.”

X Games is partnering with Visit California and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for a summer campaign to bring awareness to fans in the surrounding area and to provide a sustainable way to travel up the coast to each of the X Games events.  The Pacific Surfliner is the second busiest Amtrak route in the country and one of the most scenic train routes in America. The train travels along the Southern California coast, through diverse landscapes that include beaches, low mountain passes and agriculture. The Ventura stop is part of the Fairgrounds car park and will drop fans off a few feet away from where finals weekend will take place.

“For decades, California has been the epicentre of action sports, producing some of the most talented athletes in the world. It’s only fitting that 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 honoured to host the X Games in Ventura and can’t wait to see the next generation of extreme athletes take the stage.”

X Games California officially kicks off in San Diego on Sunday 16 July, with Real Street and Real BMX Best Trick contests. Ten of the best street athletes from both skateboard and BMX will battle for the first gold medals of X Games California 2023. Continuing its tour up the coast, X Games also will host a pop-up event and competition with a kick-off launch party in Los Angeles during the following week before culminating in three days of competition in Ventura.

Tickets go on public sale on Wednesday 10 May at 17:00 BST.

The Gold Medal events will air live on ABC and ESPN networks and streamed online. The X Games California 2023 summer edition will feature a full slate of events, including the below to be revealed in coming weeks:

• Skateboard: Park, Street, Street Best Trick, Vert, Vert Best Trick
• BMX: Park, Park Best Trick, Street, Dirt, Dirt Best Trick
• Motocross: Best Trick, QuarterPipe High Air, Best Whip

X Games 2023 Invited Athletes include these 2022 Gold Medalists: 

The X Games summer season is starting earlier than ever before, giving action sports athletes and fans even more opportunities to attend or view a new generation of athletes and legends.

The first stop on the road to X Games is X Games Japan on 12-14 May, with over 100 athletes in Skate, BMX and Moto X.  The event will be broadcast on ESPN networks and live-streamed and Tony Hawk makes his return to compete in Skateboard Vert Best Trick in Japan.  The Tony Hawk Vert Alert is the next stop on 22-23 June in Salt Lake City and will qualify the top three men and top three women to compete in X Games California.

The full schedule of X Games California 2023 events, sponsors and athletes will be announced in the coming weeks.