X-Games goes Austin in 2014? Possibly.

Jan 17, 2013

Written by Bart de Jong

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ESPN, the leading action sports content provider and creator of the X Games, has qualified entities representing more than 20 North American cities to move onto the second phase of the RFP process to host the X Games. Two North American cities will be selected as X Games hosts with the hosting periods running for three consecutive years. Following ESPN’s October announcement that it was exploring opportunities to move the event to new locations in North America after the existing agreements between Los Angeles partner AEG conclude in 2013, interested entities formally submitted letters of intent. The first hosting period will begin in 2014 and the second in 2015. The aim is to explore different options and determine what is best for the progression and growth of the X Games franchise. Official proposals from the qualified entities are due to ESPN by April 2.

The 13 cities that have met ESPN’s initial Summer X Games qualification guidelines and have chosen to be identified include:

Qualified Cities Representing Entity/Facility
-Austin, Texas (summer) Circuit of the Americas

-Atlanta, Georgia (summer) Atlanta Sports Council
-Charlotte, North Carolina (summer) Charlotte Motor Speedway
-Chicago, Illinois (summer) Chicago Sports Commission
-Detroit, Michigan (summer) Action Sports Detroit, LLC
-Fort Worth, Texas (summer) Texas Motor Speedway
-Montreal, Canada (summer) Gestev, Inc.
-Pasadena, California (summer) The Rose Bowl Stadium
-Houston, Texas (summer) Harris County – Houston Sports Authority
-Long Beach, California (summer) Coast Competitions of Long Beach
-Minneapolis, Minnesota (summer) Meet Minneapolis, Convention & Visitors Assoc.
-New Orleans, Louisiana (summer) Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
-Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (summer) Philadelphia Sports Congress/Comcast- Spectacor