ESPN’s X Games ollie into Brazil, Germany, and Spain

After a lengthy year-long bidding process that spanned the globe, ESPN has unveiled the three host cities for its 2013 international X Games expansion: Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Munich, Germany; and Barcelona, Spain. Those cities will join Aspen, CO, and Los Angeles, CA, in the U.S., and Tignes, France, as hosts of the X Games in 2013 as part of ESPN’s new effort to expand the X Games globally.

ESPN conducted a formal bid process starting last May to host the three latest X Games. Beginning today, local organising committees for Foz do Iguaçu (pronounced Fawz Day Ig wah soo), Munich, and Barcelona will collaborate with ESPN for the next three years to bring the action sports event to their cities, launching an annual, six-event X Games calendar — four of which will be summer events and two winter.

“ESPN has been committed to the X Games franchise for nearly two decades and is incredibly excited for the future and this new endeavour,” says John Skipper, president, ESPN, and co-chair, Disney Media Networks. “We are bringing significant focus to this expansion because we believe in the universal appeal of these sports and competitors and want to share the X Games experience with fans around the world.”

Foz do Iguaçu
According to ESPN, action sports is an integral part to the lifestyle in Foz do Iguaçu, especially those linked to nature and water, and action sports participation is growing every year. As one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the city of Foz do Iguaçu, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1986 and center for environmental thought and dialogue, offers the integration of the event with nature and the concept of environmental sustainability as a true pillar. Located on the borders of Argentina and Paraguay, X Games events will be held at the Iguaçu Falls, the Itaipu Dam, and the Foz Do Iguacu Convention Center.

Munich
ESPN says Munich offers a perfect backdrop as numerous sports festivals and major international competitions in both professional and recreational sports have been staged within and around the Bavarian capital. The sports infrastructure already exists and will be used sustainably, as all X Games venues will be contained within the Munich Olympic Park.

Barcelona
ESPN selected Barcelona largely due to the success of the 1992 Olympic Games, which contributed greatly to Barcelona’s sports image abroad. The organisation of the Olympics improved and endowed the city with a whole series of first-class infrastructures that have since been used to host major sports events. All X Games activities will be consolidated in Montjuïc Park’s Olympic Ring area.