Extreme sports in Japan received a huge boost during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, when Japanese athletes excelled in the skateboarding events. Off the back of that, Japan hosted the X Games for the first time in 2022. Now, fans of extreme sports will be delighted to hear that the international tournament is returning this year.
You can see 90 athletes from 18 countries compete in the X Games 2023 from May 12 to 14 at Zozo Marine Stadium in Chiba city, just 30 minutes from Tokyo Station. Ten events are scheduled for the three-day tournament, including men’s and women’s skateboarding, BMX competitions and the Moto X dirt bike event.
The average age of the competitors is just 24 years old, with a quarter of them teenagers, so there’s a high chance you’ll be watching Olympic stars of the present and future. Confirmed entrants include Sakura Yosozumi, who won gold for Japan in the women’s skateboarding park event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Brazilian skateboarder Rayssa Leal, a silver medalist in the women’s street competition at the same Games.
But it's not all about youngsters, as skateboard legend Tony Hawk is also appearing at the X Games in the Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick category. You can see the full list of competing athletes on the website.
Tickets are now on sale online, with a one-day pass starting at ¥6,500. There are also premium seats that include merchandise like T-shirts and skateboard decks starting at ¥30,000 for one day. Check the website for the full ticket selection and event schedule.
This article was published on January 10 and updated on May 2.
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