Action sports fans will be in for a treat when X Games California 2023 finals get underway from 21-23 July at Ventura Country Fairgrounds, United States.
The eight-day, multi-city sports bonanza culminating in skateboarding, BMX and Moto X medal events on the weekend, is bringing together a host of stars across the disciplines including Olympians Rayssa Leal, Nyjah Huston, Hiraki Kokona and Keegan Palmer, just to name a few.
If the calibre of athletes set to be on show isn't enough to raise the levels of excitement then the fact this X Games will be the first in three years where followers of the sports will be allowed to attend is sure to draw an extra layer of anticipation.
Read on to find out what you need to know about X Games California 2023.
X Games 2023 California: Stars to watch
X Games California 2023: Men's Skateboard Park preview
With a stacked men's skateboard park field, Australia’s Kieran Woolley will have his work cut out for him when he tries to defend his Summer X Games medal in Ventura.
Among those looking to deny him a second crown will be all three Tokyo 2020 Olympic medallists, Keegan Palmer, Cory Juneau and Brazil’s Pedro Barros, who have all been invited to the event.
And if the prospect of facing those names wasn’t enough of a threat for the Aussie to deal with then the addition of reigning world park champion Jagger Eaton, rising star Augusto Akio and American challengers Gavin Bottger and Tom Schaar to the start list, will mean Woolley will have to bring his best and then some if he is to come back out on top.
X Games California 2023: Women's Skateboard Park preview
With Olympic champion Yosozumi Sakura and the seemingly unstoppable Sky Brown both absent from the women's park athlete list, a new Summer X Games champion in the event will be crowned in California.
Leading that race will be Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Hiraki Kokona who has become a podium staple ever since she picked up second place at the Games in Japan, but she is far fromalone in the fight.
Also attending, and sure to cause a stir, are Raicca Olivieira of Brazil who claimed third at the most recent World Skateboarding Tour 2023 stop in San Juan, and Australian young gun Arisa Trew, who recently set a new world record when she became the first woman to land a 720 in competition during Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert earlier this month.
- 13-year-old Australian Arisa Trew becomes first female skateboarder to land 720 trick invented by Tony Hawk
X Games California 2023: Men's Skateboard Street preview
Nyjah Huston will be looking to make his way back onto an X Games podium as he spearheads the field competing in his home state in the men's skateboard street event.
Having sat out most of last year with an injury he has come back with a bang recently conquering Rome for a second time at the 2023 World Skateboarding Tour street stop.
The American will be a favourite to win again in Ventura but even he knows that won't be as easy for him as it perhaps once was.
Joining him on the invite list are Olympic medallists Horgiome Yuto, Kelvin Hoefler and Eaton, who will all be looking to gather some precious momentum as the Paris Olympics looms on the horizon.
X Games California 2023: Women's Skateboard Street preview
After recently snatching the spotlight in Rome, Japan's Liz Akama will be looking for another win over her rivals in the women's skateboard street contest but a deep competition field will mean the young Japanese skater will have to bring her best to impress.
Perennial contest winner Leal of Brazil, Olympic champion Nishiya Momiji and Australia's Chloe Covell are among those also down to compete in California, raising the competition bar to a new level.
Another name sure to raise eyebrows will that of Leticia Bufoni's. Though the Brazilian recently shared she won't be making an Olympic bid for Paris, the street skater remains a legend of the sport and her wiley bag of tricks could well cause a rumble.
- Leticia Bufoni announces she won't be competing in the women's street skateboarding contest at Paris 2024
X Games California 2023: Schedule
All times local (GMT-7)
Friday 21 July
- 10:30 - BMX dirt elimination
- 12:30 - Women's skateboard street elimination
- 14:30 - Men's skateboard street elimination
- 16:00 - BMX MegaPark final
- 19:00 - Skateboard MegaPark final
Saturday 22 July
- 10:00 - Women's skateboard street final
- 11:15 - BMX dirt final
- 12:45 - Moto X QuarterPipe high air
- 13:30 - Men's skateboard park final
- 15:15 - BMX dirt best trick
- 16:30 - Men's BMX street final
- 18:30 - Men's skateboard vert final
- 19:45 - Moto X best trick
Sunday 23 July
- 09:00 - Women's skateboard street best trick
- 10:00 - Women's skateboard park final
- 12:00 - BMX park best trick
- 13:00 - Men's skateboard street final
- 14:15 - Skateboard vert best trick
- 16:00 - Women's skateboard vert final
- 17:00 - BMX park final
- 18:45 - Men's skateboard street best trick
- 19:30 - Moto X best whip
X Games California 2023: How to watch live
X Games will be live-streamed worldwide 21-23 July from California, United States, via XGames.com, YouTubeandTwitch.
The schedule for the event can be found here and a list of all the invited athletes can be found here.
