What to Expect | Summer X Games 2022

DAY ONE: SLOANYARD SPOT

One of the gnarliest backyard ramp setups in the world, "SloanYard", is the brainchild of 13-time X Games medalist Elliot Sloan. Sloan created the first and only MegaPark ramp by adding an additional return gap and quarterpipe to the existing mini Megaramp. This will be the debut of the Skateboard and BMX MegaPark disciplines at X Games. His yard also includes a 100-foot Vert ramp, which will host Skateboard Vert and Vert Best Trick competitions.

Expect massive airs and technical liptricks when the international elite of halfpipe skateboarding descends on the massive vert ramp for Skateboard Vert and Vert Best Trick competitions. Keep an eye out for the host, Elliot Sloan, who already claimed silver in both comps at X Games 2021 and has his eyes on the gold. He will be facing heat from Japanese style icon Moto Shibata, fresh off a silver-medal finish at X Games Chiba 2022.

The action will move to the first and only MegaPark ramp in X Games history for the BMX MegaPark event. Taking on the massive course with a centerpiece gap jump and vert quarterpipe will be no other than Monster’s Pat Casey ready to add to his four X Games medals. Also putting on their big ramp boots, Andy Buckworth, Daniel Sandoval, and Bryce Tryon are ready to send it in the new discipline.

Rounding out an epic day at the Sloanyard, the Skateboard MegaPark contest will push the boundaries of trick innovation to the next level. Prepare for Sloan to prove why he owns four X Games gold medals from Big Air competitions on MegaRamps. He will be joined by certified big ramp talent Tom Schaar hungry for a podium spot after closely missing the top three at X Games 2021. And don’t count out Monster Energy’s Trey Wood, who previously earned his X Games gold and two bronze medals in Skateboard Big Air.

DAY TWO: SLAYGROUND

Growing up just outside the surf and skate mecca of Encinitas, California, X Games Moto X medalist Axell Hodges' "Slayground" originated at his childhood home. Though the property has always included a racetrack, Hodges' Slayground is now a full motocross compound complete with steep turns, quarterpipes, kicker ramps, wallrides, manual pads and massive dirt jumps. The third and latest installment of Hodges' Slayground video part series was filmed entirely at the compound. Slayground will play host to Moto X disciplines and will add a BMX Dirt course for 2022.

Starting things off, the Moto X Freestyle contest will feature last year’s silver medalist and Monster Energy rider Josh Sheehan looking to bolster his count of 12 X Games medals. His competition includes fellow Australian Jackson Strong, who owns six X Games gold medals from Best Trick but has yet to claim a win in the Freestyle event. Also watch out for Australia’s Harry Bink after claiming his first X Games medal in 2021 as well as host Axell Hodges and motocross legend Taka Higashino from Japan. For the ultimate wildcard, pay attention to young gun Ben Richards from Wagga Wagga, Australia, in his second appearance at X Games.

Next, riders will send their most contorted aerials, also known as ‘whips’, across the massive dirt jump at Slayground. With three medals from Moto X Best Whip under his belt, host Axell Hodges is the rider to watch. Then again, his Monster teammate Jarryd McNeil from Yarrawonga, Australia, already holds five gold medals in Best Whip. For the ultimate showdown, Japanese ripper and 2021 Best Whip silver medalist Genki Watanabe will throw down alongside Josh Sheehan. Plus, don’t count out Monster Energy team rider Julien Vanstippen from Ophain, Belgium, fresh off a Best Whip bronze from X Games Chiba 2022.

The Slayground has been updated with a competition-grade BMX Dirt course. The big question in the event: Will the Monster team repeat last year’s full podium sweep courtesy of Pat Casey (gold), Bryce Tryon (silver), and Ben Wallace (bronze)? Not if team rider Daniel Sandoval has a word, especially after just claiming the overall series win in the 2022 Monster Energy BMX Triple Challenge. What’s more, this could be the year for Canadian rider Mike Varga to add his first BMX Dirt medal to his record.

Switching gears back to motorized competitions, the fun and innovation-centered Moto X 110’s discipline on smaller bikes makes a return to X Games. Prepare for a wild ride as last year’s gold medalist Axell Hodges flexes his freestyle skills against Jarryd McNeil and BMXer Pat Casey.

For a change of pace, the Moto X Best Trick is all about big and innovative tricks. And six-time X Games gold medalist Jackson Strong comes to the Slayground with something new up his sleeve. “Jacko” will battle teammate Josh Sheehan, who owns five medals from Best Trick but has yet to take home the gold. Speaking of medals, Harry Bink took home bronze in the discipline at X Games 2021 and comes back hungry for more.

Closing out a spectacular showcase at Slayground, Moto X QuarterPipe High Air will feature a stacked roster. Last year, Axell Hodges earned silver and already owns gold in the event from X Games Minneapolis 2018. The owner of the Slayground will face competition from Jarryd McNeil, who has cracked into the top five in the event but has yet to claim a podium spot. Will this be the one?

DAY THREE: CA | TF

The CA Training Facility is the first and only high-performance training center developed for skateboarding. CATF features both a full-sized concrete Street and Park courses created by the designers of X Games Street and Park courses. The CATF will be home to BMX and Skateboard Street, BMX Park, Dave Mirra's Park Best Trick and Skateboard Park competitions.

As the day’s only competition event, BMX Street features the world elite of street riding. Athletes to watch include last year’s silver medalist and Monster Energy rider Felix Prangenberg, who already owns three X Games medals (1 gold, 2 silver) and has his eyes on the top spot. His competition includes the bronze medalist from X Games 2021, BMX whiz kid Alex Donnachie from Scotland. Also brace yourself for Australian team rider Lewis Mills looking to improve on silver from Sydney 2018, while Kevin Peraza is set on claiming his first-ever Street medal.

DAY FOUR: CA | TF

Saturday features a busy schedule of events, with Women’s Skateboard Park kicking things off at the CATF. Monster Energy heads into the event with the ultimate mix of skate icon and young talent: At X Games 2021, young ripper Mami Tezuka from Hikone Shiga, Japan, earned her first medal with silver and recently followed suit by claiming bronze at X Games Chiba 2022. She will be dropping in alongside innovator and long-time Monster Energy rider Lizzie Armanto ready to return after earning bronze in her most recent outing at X Games 2019 in Minneapolis.

When the action moves into BMX Park, keep an eye on Monster Energy team rider Justin Dowell from Virginia Beach, who caused an upset by claiming silver in his debut at X Games Chiba 2022. Of course, never count out the Monster Energy trip responsible for sweeping the podium at X Games 2021: Kevin Peraza (gold), Pat Casey (silver), and Mike Varga (bronze). Plus, with the addition of previous BMX Park gold medalist Daniel Sandoval and 2019’s bronze medalist Jose Torres from Argentina to the mix, the pieces are in place for a history-making event.

Speaking of making history, the Men’s Skateboard Street contest will mark the return to X Games competition of the most winning street skater on the circuit: Monster Energy’s Nyjah Huston owns 19 X Games medals (13 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) and is ready to expand his legacy after last competing at X Games Minneapolis 2019. His competitors include Olympic silver medalist and two-time X Games gold medalist Kelvin Hoefler from São Paulo. Plus, although Ishod Wair from Bordentown, New Jersey, is not necessarily known as a contest skater, he does own X Games gold in the discipline and took home bronze at X Games 2021. Don’t miss it and stay tuned when these riders send it in Skateboard Street Best Trick!

On that note, a big day at the CATF will conclude with the Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick contest. Prepare for trick innovations galore as last year’s gold medalist Mike Varga holds it down against Pat Casey and Daniel Sandoval, the latter having claimed silver at X Games 2019. Also watch for young gun and Monster Army graduate Jeremy Malott, who claimed bronze in the event at X Games 2021.

DAY FIVE: CA | TF

On Sunday, it’s all about all skateboarding. The highly anticipated Women’s Skateboard Street final will revolve around 14-year-old Rayssa Leal from Imperatriz, Brazil, after claiming the gold medal at X Games Chiba 2022 and earning silver in the Tokyo Olympics. Leal will revisit her rivalry with Japanese team rider and five-time X Games medalist Aori Nishimura from Tokyo, who took gold at X Games 2019. A must-see battle in the making!

Closing out an epic weekend at the CATF, the Men’s Skateboard Park contest has all the elements of a true classic. That’s because last year’s surprise winner and Monster Energy rider Liam Pace from Tucson, Arizona, is currently on a roll after taking first place at Simple Session 2022. He will face heat from 18-year-old Kieran Woolley from Minnamurra, Australia, fresh off taking silver at X Games Chiba 2022. Also don’t miss the return of eight-time X Games medalist Tom Schaar to the Park event and the all-terrain skills of Brazilian team rider Luiz Francisco.

X Games 2022 will mark the first real-life Skateboard Real Street Best Trick contest. Broadcast live via video stream, the 30-minute jam session features elite street skaters at an undisclosed legendary street skate spot in Southern California. Joining the contest, watch out for Monster Energy riders Nyjah Huston, Kelvin Hoefler, and young Japanese upstart Daiki Ikeda from Tokyo, who claimed silver at X Games Chiba 2022. Also look forward to banging tricks from last year’s Real Street silver medalist Matt Berger from Canada.

X Games Event Schedule