COTA Will Not Host X-Games Beyond 2016

Austin, TX – In what appears to be another blow for the Circuit of the Americas, COTA will not host the ESPN Summer X Games beyond this year. COTA was originally scheduled to host the X Games through 2017.

No reason was given for the cancellation of Austin as the host city for the final year of the 4-year contract. ESPN issued the following statement this morning via Twitter:

ESPN is actively engaged with and seeking interested cities in the United States to be the next host of an X Games summer event for two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018, showcasing the world’s best action sports athletes, internationally renowned musical acts and one of the most complete youth culture festival experiences. X Games has moved locations regularly throughout its history to celebrate and infuse the national and international elements of action sports and youth culture from each city. Full-scale X Games summer events have been hosted in nine different cities in 20 years.

With the agreement between current summer event partner, Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, concluding in 2016, ESPN is opening the host city bid process to any U.S. city or commercial entity that meet the event requirements of the X Games. Interested cities can learn more about the request for proposal (RFP) process at www.xgames.com/bid.

“We’ve been honored to call Austin home of the X Games since 2014 and are proud to have run world-class competitions for athletes, hosted amazing musicians for our fans and sponsors together with the Circuit of The Americas,” said Tim Reed, vice president, X Games. “We thank COTA, the City of Austin and State of Texas for their support, and look forward to an amazing final X Games Austin event this June. Looking to the future, we’re enthusiastic to identify the next X Games host city and continuing to improve and bring the franchise to new locations and fans.”

The final X Games event in Austin will take place at Circuit of The Americas from June 2-5, 2016. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning March 24. For more information about X Games Austin, tickets and more, visit www.xgames.com.