'To say we’re stoked is an understatement': X Games returns to Ventura

The X Games is returning to Ventura in June.

The three-day competition featuring skateboarding, BMX and Moto X will take place June 28-30 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, according to an X Games announcement Friday.

"Last year was legendary, so we are excited to return to Ventura and turn things up a notch," said Selema Masekela, recently appointed X Games chief of sports culture in a news release.

The 2023 games took place at the fairgrounds and drew over 50,000 people.

"To say we’re stoked is an understatement," said Marlyss Auster, president and CEO of Visit Ventura in a statement. "We’re still beaming with hometown pride with what took place in our Ventura last year."

One difference will be the games’ official name, Auster said. Last year’s was called X Games California 2023.

“We’re super thrilled that it’s X Games Ventura 2024,” she said.

Friday’s announcement comes as the competition kicked off at the winter X Games Aspen in Buttermilk, Colorado. The X Games typically hosts a winter and summer event.

Years in the making

Auster first began talking to X Games officials in 2019 about Ventura hosting the event and was instrumental in it becoming a reality.

Last year, the city had less than two months to prepare. Friday’s announcement gives Ventura five months to get ready for the games, and Mayor Joe Schroeder said it would make a difference to have the extra time.

A drone show and public skating kicked off last year’s event on downtown’s Main Street. Already, talks include the possibility of bringing a vert ramp or half-pipe for skating competitions to California and Main streets to complement the games, Schroeder said.

The mayor said he would like to see television cameras film such downtown action and broadcast it to a nationwide audience.

“Can you imagine shooting down California Street? Or shooting up and having the ocean in the background or having City Hall in the background? I hope we get to do that," he said. "That would be incredible."

The X Games is looking to do something downtown that involves the community and businesses, Auster said.

“It was so good last year we don’t want to miss that opportunity,” she said.

Organizers are aware of the ticketing and viewing issues last year. Things will be different this time around, Auster said.

Disgruntled general admission ticket holders expressed frustration they couldn't see many of the events because the seats filled up so fast. Attendees who signed up for X Games text messages were encouraged to watch on large screens inside the fairgrounds, but not everyone was aware of the service.

Talks about the 2024 competition between X Games officials and Auster were ongoing during last year’s event. The deal was finalized Tuesday, and Auster said she was confident the event would return because of business and community support as well as media attention.

Check your bike, surfboard

Fairgrounds spokesperson Megan Hook said by email that fair officials are excited about the return of the X Games and look forward to sharing more details as they become available.

Schroeder said he was pleased with the overflow crowds at last year’s games because skateboarders and motorcyclists can have a bad reputation.

"Nobody knows I’m the mayor when there’s 50,000 people there," he said. "Everyone was so nice and cool. That was the most refreshing thing about it.”

Schroeder said he would like to see more storage space for bicycles at the event, adding there was an area for bicycles and surfboards to check in last year.

“Only in Ventura would you have a place to check in your bike and surfboard,” Schroeder said.

For more information, visit xgames.com.

Wes Woods II covers West County for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at wesley.woodsii@vcstar.com, 805-437-0262 or @JournoWes.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: X Games returns to Ventura in June