The X Games are back after cancelling last year due to COVID, and they’ve decided to mix things up. Normally the X Games have been held at large venues in different cities around the U.S and globally, open for everyone to come check out in person. However, this year they’ve decided to go with closed events that are split up at three different spots with it being the invited riders only due to COVID restrictions and safety.
For BMX, they will be holding the Park and Dirt contests in Pat Casey‘s Back yard, A.K.A The Dream Yard , and BMX street at the CA Training Facility. This will be putting riders on actual ramps and setups they normally ride versus the crazy parks and made for TV setups that usually get thrown their way, which is something we always thought would be really cool to see.
There will be BMX Street, BMX Park, BMX Park Dave Mirra Best Trick, BMX Dirt and BMX Dirt Best Trick contests with a few riders getting mixed in and out for the Best Trick contests that won’t ride in the regular contest, which is also interesting. Either way, July 14th – 18th will be when it all goes down. Check out the full press release below, along with the full invited rider lists below!
“ESPN X Games announced today that X Games 2021 will return to the roots of action sports – hosting BMX, Skateboard and Moto X competitions from three unique athlete training facilities around Southern California from July 14 – 18. Following the cancellation of the final host city year of X Games Minneapolis 2020 due to the pandemic, X Games 2021 will uniquely embrace the grassroots nature of summer action sports and bring world-class competition straight to the athletes’ facilities, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at these athlete playgrounds.
X Games 2021 will be the final competition before many Skateboard and BMX athletes head to Tokyo for their Olympic debuts. Some of the biggest names including Sky Brown, Leticia Bufoni and Poppy Olsen will look to win X Games gold before heading to Tokyo. For the full list of invited athletes, please visit XGames.com.
“I’m very excited to be hosting X Games at my house this year! It will allow me to share my ramps and dirt jumps with other amazing athletes and bring back BMX for our first major contest since COVID-19,” said two-time X Games BMX medalist Pat Casey. “I’m extremely humbled and thankful for this opportunity that ESPN and Monster Energy has given me, and can’t wait for the event!”
Seven-time X Games Moto X medalist Axell Hodges added: “Hosting X Games at my Slayground is a huge opportunity for the entire sport. From day one, Slayground was all about pushing the progression of freestyle motocross. I know everyone is ready to come back after an entire year without contests ready to send it and we’ll push the progression to the next level. Thanks to ESPN, Monster Energy and all my sponsors for making this happen. Let’s go!”
“We are thrilled to produce an X Games this summer and once again showcase the premier athletes in the world across the ESPN and ABC networks,” said Tim Reed, vice president, programming and acquisitions. “This year will be different – we’re excited about the unique opportunity to partner with our athletes to showcase some incredible facilities. We have no doubt that the Dreamyard, Slayground and CATF will put us in a great position to create memorable moments.”” – X Games
INVITED BMX RIDERS
BMX STREET – CA Training Facility
Alex Donnachie
Dennis Enarson
Chad Kerley
Lewis Mills
Kevin Peraza
Felix Prangenberg
Matt Ray
Garrett Reynolds
BMX DIRT – Dream Yard
Andy Buckworth
Pat Casey
James Foster
Jake Leiva
Kevin Peraza
Jaie Toohey
Bryce Tryon
Colton Walker
Ben Wallace
BMX DIRT BEST TRICK – Dream Yard
Andy Buckorth
Jake Leiva
Jaie Toohey
Bryce Tryon
Colton Walker
Ben Wallace
Ryan Williams
BMX PARK – Dream Yard
Pat Casey
Larry Edgar
Jeremy Malott
Kevin Perazaz
Marin Rantes
Daniel Sandoval
Mike Varga
Ben Wallace
BMX PARK DAVE MIRRA BEST TRICK – Dream Yard
Jacob Bailey
Pat Casey
Dennis Enarson
Jeremy Malott
Marin Rantes
Daniel Sandoval
Jaie Toohey
Mike Varga
Ryan Williams
