It remains a mystery whether the X Games will return to Ventura next year.
X Games officials are discussing where the event will be held for its 30th anniversary, said Valerie Ryan, vice president of fan experience and hospitality for the games.
Ryan said officials are “taking everything into consideration” in planning the summer and winter X Games along with the smaller events that could feed into the games.
“I think no matter what, we will be figuring something out for Ventura,” Ryan said on Sunday.
For the past two summers, the popular event that showcases action sports has enjoyed a successful run at Ventura’s seaside fairgrounds.
The games that ran Friday to Sunday sent skateboarders, BMX riders and motocross daredevils skyward on various ramps, jumps and tracks at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Athletes from around the world took part, including some who’ll be headed soon to the Olympic Games in Paris.
The 2024 event included a full roster of music acts, including hip-hop artist Wiz Khalifa and a surprise appearance by Machine Gun Kelly.
Ryan said Ventura is one of the best partners the event has ever had. She highlighted the Visit Ventura organization, local businesses and the community.
“They will forever be a part of the X Games family,” she said.
Officials hope to announce future locations before the X Games Chiba event in Japan set for Sept. 20-24, Ryan said.
Attendance figures weren’t available this week but Ryan described the turnout as “amazing.” Audiences were also complimentary about changes made since last year’s games, she said.
In 2023, some fans complained that general admission tickets didn’t provide guaranteed bleacher seating, events were timed too closely together and it was hard to see some competitions.
Organizers responded by offering tickets with different pricing, including some with guaranteed bleacher seats. They also spaced out events and made venues easier to see.
Saturday night Moto X winner Jackson Strong said he’d love to return to Ventura.
“It’s lovely having the beach next door, and all the locals seem really into action sports,” Strong said after his win for best trick.
Marlyss Auster, president and CEO of Visit Ventura, said Saturday she hasn’t had discussions with organizers about the event’s possible return to the local fairgrounds.
“We’re just kind of letting everybody figure things out for what’s next,” she said, adding organizers are still determining what’s going on with a new league planned for 2026.
The future X Games League will feature teams of athletes vying in a year-round international competition to earn money, organizers announced last month.
“It’ll be really exciting to see what is next and if, and how, Ventura fits into those plans,” Auster said, adding she feels Ventura will have some involvement with the games going forward.
The 2024 event seems to have concluded without major bumps.
Auster said the shuttle service was running smoothly Saturday and she hadn’t heard of any difficulties from attendees viewing competitions.
Ventura Police Department Cmdr. Ryan Weeks said Monday two people were cited for intoxication, one on Friday and the other Saturday, but there were no other issues for law enforcement.
Mayor Joe Schroeder said he wants the X Games to return for another 10 years, adding he’d heard no complaints from residents as of Sunday.
“There’s advantages of having it here a third year,” the mayor said. “But maybe they want to move it around the country.”
Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.
Source Link
