X Games announces three summer stops, including a first trip to Utah
Next year's winter schedule is still pending
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The future of X Games gained some clarity on Thursday when the action sports franchise announced three stops for its upcoming summer schedule, part of its desire to expand its product under new CEO Jeremy Bloom.
Japan, Salt Lake City, and Sacramento will each host X Games contests in the coming months. The Utah State Fairpark and Event Center will host the June 27-29 stop in Salt Lake City, with Moto X, BMX, and skateboarding competitions making up the three-day festival.
“Salt Lake City has a deep-rooted passion for action sports, and we’re thrilled to bring the X Games experience here for the first time,” Bloom said in a news release. “With its incredible outdoor culture, energetic fan base, and strong support from the Utah State Fairpark and Visit Salt Lake, this city is the perfect stage for our athletes to push their limits and put on an unforgettable show.”
Bloom, who was only named CEO in December and made his public debut in the role as part of X Games Aspen in January, has said he wants to see the franchise expand its footprint worldwide. This includes multiple stops — ideally four in the summer and four in the winter — plus the creation of the “X Games League” for 2026.
Around 100 athletes will compete for more than $1 million in prize money in Utah. This year happens to mark the 30th anniversary of X Games, which ESPN created in 1995.
“I’m stoked to bring X Games to Salt Lake City this summer so action sports fans in Utah can have the chance to experience the energy of skateboarding in person,” said skateboarder Jagger Eaton, a five-time X Games and two-time Olympic medalist, in the news release. “Competing at X Games since I was 11, I am excited to be back competing at X Games this year after securing a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.”
Salt Lake City was also recently chosen as the host site for the 2034 Winter Olympics after previously hosting the Games in 2002.
The other X Games summer stops are slated for June 20-22 in Osaka, and Aug. 22-24 in Sacramento. Utah will serve as the second of the three announced locations.
Return to Aspen?
A similar announcement should be expected over the coming months on next year’s expanded winter lineup. While X Games has hosted winter events outside of the U.S. over the past couple of decades, Aspen’s Buttermilk Ski Area has served as the exclusive home for the primary winter contest since 2002.
With the last Aspen contract expired and X Games looking to add locations, it’s unknown whether or not it will return to Buttermilk in the future. Although, Bloom and many athletes have voiced their support for it returning.
“Winter X Games, it’s hard to imagine … it not going through Aspen,” Bloom told The Aspen Times ahead of X Games Aspen 2025. “I really hope we can put together a deal to keep it there, because it’s a really special place.”
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