History

EST. 1995

1995

The Birth of Action Sports on the Global Stage

Video thumbnail Tony Hawk lands first ever 900

1999

Tony Hawk lands a 900 at the San Francisco X Games

Early 2000s

The Progression Era

2013

X Games Go Global

2022–2025

A New Era: MSP Sports Capital Acquires X Games & Announces X Games League

The Birth of Action Sports on the Global Stage

The inaugural X Games in Rhode Island introduced the world to a new era of action sports. Skateboarders, BMX riders, and inline skaters brought a rebellious energy that redefined competition and entertainment, cementing X Games as the global stage for progression.

Tony Hawk lands a 900 at the San Francisco X Games

In San Francisco, Tony Hawk landed the first-ever 900 on a skateboard during the X Games. The iconic spin became one of the most memorable moments in sports history, elevating skateboarding into the mainstream and inspiring generations of athletes.

The Progression Era

The early 2000s saw action sports reach new levels. In 2004, Travis Pastrana cemented himself as a legend by landing groundbreaking Moto X tricks, including the first backflip in Best Trick. This moment expanded X Games beyond skate and BMX into motorsports, showing that progression across disciplines was core to the brand. 2006 brought Shaun White’s Rise in Snowboarding. Shaun White’s dominance in Snowboard SuperPipe and Slopestyle during the mid-2000s helped push winter X Games into the mainstream. His runs not only raised the technical bar but also made action sports stars household names.

X Games Go Global

In 2013, X Games expanded internationally like never before, staging events in Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil), Munich (Germany), Tignes (France), and Barcelona (Spain). This ambitious global footprint brought action sports to new audiences and highlighted the worldwide reach of the X Games brand.

A New Era: MSP Sports Capital Acquires X Games & Announces X Games League

In a landmark moment, MSP Sports Capital acquired X Games from ESPN, bringing new investment, vision, and momentum. The announcement of the X Games League (XGL) signaled a historic shift—transforming X Games into a year-round, team-based league format that blends sport, culture, and entertainment for the next generation of fans.