Golden State Today

California's capital, Sacramento, has been chosen as the host city for the summer X Games for the next three years. The announcement was made last week, with the event set to commence in August 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of this renowned extreme sports competition.

The summer X Games are often referred to as the Olympics of extreme sports and include events such as professional skateboarding, BMX, and Moto X. Over 100 athletes from around the world will compete for more than $1 million in prize money.

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed enthusiasm about hosting the games: “The X Games and extreme sports are inherently representative of California’s boldness, creativity, and innovative spirit. California is pleased to welcome the X Games and its athletes and visitors to the Sacramento region – home not only to our state’s capital but a diverse population of adventurers, thrill seekers, and fans who embrace the essence of the games.”

Scheduled at Sacramento’s Cal Expo from August 22-24, 2025, this event is expected to boost tourism in the area with an estimated daily attendance of 35,000 people.

California's tourism sector continues to thrive. Last year saw travel spending reach a record high of $150.4 billion in California. This surpasses previous records from 2019 by 3.8% and shows a growth rate of 5.6% compared to 2022. This increase in travel spending contributed $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2023 alone and created nearly 65,000 new jobs within the industry.