The X Games, the premier extreme sports competition, is set to make a major geographical shift as it moves from Southern California to Sacramento for the next three years. The announcement, made Thursday by X Games organizers, marks a new chapter in the event's storied history.
Starting in August 2024, the California State Fairgrounds will host the games' 30th anniversary from August 22-24. The competition will take place at the former Raging Waters site at Cal Expo, featuring skateboarding, BMX, and motocross events with over $1 million in prize money at stake.
This move represents a notable change for the competition, which has called Southern California home since 2021. Los Angeles first welcomed the Summer X Games in 2003 and has been a frequent host city, including during the 2021 pandemic edition, which proceeded without live spectators.
The relocation brings the X Games back to Northern California for the first time since 2000, when skateboarding legends Bob Burnquist and Eric Koston claimed gold medals in their respective events.
X Games Chief Executive Jeremy Bloom expressed enthusiasm about the return to Northern California, noting the region's historical significance in X Games history. Local BMX athlete Bryce Tryon, a five-time X Games competitor, shared his excitement about hosting the event in his hometown area.
Since its inception by ESPN in Rhode Island in 1995, the X Games has served as a platform for extreme sports' most iconic moments. The competition has witnessed groundbreaking achievements, including pioneering tricks from skateboarding icon Tony Hawk and BMX legend Dave Mirra, as well as the first-ever snowmobile front flip in 2012.
The three-year commitment to Sacramento signals a new era for the X Games, bringing fresh energy to a different part of California while maintaining its tradition of pushing the boundaries of action sports.