Austin to Host Four Summer X Games from 2014

ESPN officials announced that Austin beat out Chicago, apoplectic Detroit and Charlotte to host the Summer X Games from 2014 to 2017.

Scott Guglielmino, order senior vice president, ESPN programming and X Games, said of the decision: “Ultimately, the combination of resources, support and fit brought us to Austin and we couldn’t be happier.”

The X Games, which were founded in 1995 as the Extreme Games, have been held in the Los Angeles area for the last 11 years and the city will host them for a final time this year from 1-4 August; however, when the Staples Center and ESPN could not reach a consensus on extending the contract this year, bidding was opened to other cities.

Attendance at the event last year was 144,700 and one of the reasons for the event’s change of city was to further the event’s growth. “A big part of the move is growth,” Guglielmino said. “Austin has proven to be a very good big event market. … Certainly, it’s a city on the rise.”

In a statement, Lee Leffingwell, mayor of the Texan capital, said, “The X Games celebrate fitness, courage and individuality — traits greatly valued by our community — and we look forward to showing the world all of the wonderful things Austin has to offer.”

The X Games in aired in over 200 countries and now include international an series comprised of six stops, including Barcelona and Munich.

The first X Games in Austin will take place from 15-18 May 2014.