Tickets for the 2024 Ventura X Games go on sale Wednesday morning as organizers pledged to build on last year’s event with greater fan access and an expanded festival footprint.
The games will return June 28-30 to the Ventura County Fairgrounds for the second year, bringing many of the world’s best action sports athletes to Ventura to compete for skateboard, BMX and motocross medals.
Rich Bigge, the games’ vice president of live events, said in a news release that fan response in 2023 exceeded organizers’ expectations. This year, Bigge said, “will be an even grander spectacle.”
Organizers plan to double the event footprint — which in 2023 occupied only a portion of the fairgrounds — and add live music, food trucks and art installations along with an array of new experiences for premium ticket-holders.
The expansion will take up the fair’s main parking lot, limiting on-site parking. Grace Coryell, an X Games spokesperson, said in an email that attendees will be able to take shuttles from some public parking lots or ride into the games via Amtrak, Metrolink or bus. Organizers plan to publish a guide for traveling to the event on xgames.com as the games get closer.
Possibly the most exciting new addition for local skaters and BMX riders: Organizers are planning to open limited, albeit pricey, access to ride some skate and BMX courses. Coryell said the sessions are still in the planning stage, but organizers are considering opening vert ramp, park and street courses.
The course sessions, along athletes with meet-and-greets, can be purchased as add-ons to premium three-day passes. The add-ons are priced between $240 and $345.
Tickets start at $61 for a single day of general admission and run as high as $3,999 for premium, multi-day passes. More information is available at xgames.com/ticketing.
Fans coming from out of town will have options to package their tickets with hotel accommodations and custom excursions around Ventura.
During the 2023 X Games, general admission pass-holders were denied access to the games’ skate park arena for some contests. A few made do by watching the contest through holes in the arena’s structure.
But this year, organizers said general admission ticket holders will be able to watch every competition and musical performance on offer, with general admission viewing available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
More:Summer camp at UCSB gives high schoolers unique access to Ventura X Games — at a cost
Expanded competition
Games organizers have invited back several of the stars of the 2023 X Games, including Skateboard Street gold medalist Chloe Covell, BMX superstar Ryan Williams and Moto X High Air record holder Colby Raha.
The competition will also debut two new women’s events: BMX Park and Skateboard Vert Best Trick.
“I’ve always dreamed of competing in X Games, and it was never a possibility until this year,” said Hannah Roberts, a five-time BMX Freestyle world champion and 2020 Olympic silver medalist. “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.”
Isaiah Murtaugh covers education for the Ventura County Star in partnership with Report for America. Reach him at isaiah.murtaugh@vcstar.com or 805-437-0236 and follow him on Twitter @isaiahmurtaugh and @vcsschools. You can support this work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America.
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