Everything you need to know about the X Games in Ventura

Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
Updated ·4 min read
Spence Volla, a television director for ESPN and ABC, pre-plans camera angles in preparation for the X Games finals that begin Friday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Spence Volla, a television director for ESPN and ABC, pre-plans camera angles in preparation for the X Games finals that begin Friday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Thousands will converge on Ventura this week as the X Games heads to the beachside city.

The games are drawing some of the biggest names in skateboarding, BMX and Moto X to the Ventura County Fairgrounds for three days of competition starting Friday. Whether you’re heading there, watching from afar or looking for ways to celebrate for free, here’s what you need to know.

Where to buy tickets?

Tickets for Saturday, 3-day passes and Saturday parking were sold out as of Thursday afternoon, X Games officials said. Limited quantities of Friday and Sunday tickets were still available.

Get information or buy tickets online at xgames.com/events/x-games-california-2023/tickets. General admission tickets start at $55. Children under 6 get in for free.

Tickets also can be purchased at the fairgrounds. But same-day tickets are expected to be more expensive.

How to get there?

Take a bus for free:

  • Park next to the 24-Hour Fitness at the Pacific View Mall, 3350 Telegraph Road, and ride for free to the fairgrounds. Buses will run about every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

  • Park at San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St., for $15 and get a free ride to the fairgrounds.

  • Anyone 18 and younger and some college students can ride for free on the Ventura County Transportation Commission’s big blue buses. The buses will drop people off at Thompson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, close to the fairgrounds. More information: goventura.org/xgames/.

Take the train:

  • Amtrak Pacific Surfliner has a stop steps from the fairgrounds and will add more cars and night runs. X Games passengers also can receive 15% discounts. More information: amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-x-games.

  • The Metrolink commuter service will also extend its routes and take people to the fairgrounds stop Friday night through Sunday. Day passes on Saturday and Sundays cost $10. Children 17 and younger with a fare-paying adult can ride for free on Saturdays and Sundays. More information: metrolinktrains.com/x-games.

Ride a bike or board: Store bikes and skateboards for free at the fairgrounds.

Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner has unveiled specially decorated cars for the X Games finals. The line will also expand its service for the event.
Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner has unveiled specially decorated cars for the X Games finals. The line will also expand its service for the event.

Drive: Cars headed to the fairgrounds are being asked to take the Seaward exit off Highway 101 and head up Harbor Boulevard. Southbound Figueroa street near the fairgrounds will be closed, leaving Harbor as the only route to the site.

The fairgrounds parking lot holds about 1,400 cars and fills up quickly during large events. On-site parking costs $25 in advance and $30 in person.

How hot will it be?

A heat wave will bake Southern California this weekend, but a marine layer is expected to help keep the coast cooler, according to the National Weather Service.

While triple digits are expected elsewhere, the forecast calls for highs in the mid- to high 70s along the Ventura coast where the fairgrounds are located. Some low clouds may hang around early in the morning. Then, expect sunshine.

The X Games finals start Friday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
The X Games finals start Friday at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

How to avoid crowds?

The games aren’t really expected to have a “busy” time of day, according to Visit Ventura. Officials expect crowds will ebb and flow as visitors pick which events to watch. Ticket holders may leave and return to the fairgrounds throughout the day.

Saturday – packed with competition from Women's Vert to Moto X QuarterPipe High Air – may be the busiest of the three. More information about the schedule is available at xgames.com/events/x-games-california-2023.

Are all ages welcome?

Yes, according to X Games organizers. Tickets include access to festival villages that include X Fest, a spot with interactive activities for all ages.

A large bowl serves as part of a skateboard and BMX course as crews transform the Ventura County Fairgrounds into the upcoming X Games finals.
A large bowl serves as part of a skateboard and BMX course as crews transform the Ventura County Fairgrounds into the upcoming X Games finals.

What can you do for free?

Head to a skate jam: A downtown Ventura intersection at Main and California streets will be turned into an obstacle course for an all-ages, all-day skate jam Thursday. Local amateur and pros are expected to take the course from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The event also is expected to include an X Games athlete meet-and-greet.

Watch a light show: Visit Ventura drone show is expected to start at 8:45 p.m. and Ventura City Hall light show at 9 p.m. Thursday.

Catch a DJ show: A live DJ will spin from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at the Ventura Harbor Village off Spinnaker Dr. in Ventura. While there, visitors can take a photo in front of an X Games symbol made of balloons at the promenade.

How to stream?

Watch X Games events on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Competitions will stream on the @XGames YouTube channel.

Find the schedule here: xgames.com/events/x-games-california-2023/how-to-watch.

Have a question about the X Games in Ventura? Email cheri.carlson@vcstar.com and we will try to update this story with the answer.

Reporter Tom Kisken contributed to this report.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Everything you need to know about the X Games in Ventura