The renowned X Games action sports competition is set to take place in Calgary in February of next year. WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park will serve as the venue for the three-day event starting on February 19, featuring performances by international musical acts Levity and Steve Aoki.
This will be the first time in the 31-year history of the X Games that the competition will be held in Canada. Alisha Reynolds, the President and CEO of Tourism Calgary, expressed excitement about hosting the event, stating that Calgary is the ideal city for such an electrifying occasion.
The competition will showcase top skiers and snowboarders from around the world competing in events like Big Air, Knuckle Huck, Slopestyle, and Superpipe. Organizers anticipate a turnout of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 spectators over the course of the three days.
The economic impact of the event is estimated to be around $25 million for Calgary’s visitor economy, according to Reynolds. Canadian freestyle skier Brendan Mackay, who hails from Calgary and competes with Team Canada, is thrilled to have the X Games hosted in his hometown. Mackay emphasized the significance of his podium finish at the 2020 X Games in shaping his successful athletic career.
Mackay highlighted the inspiration he drew from watching the X Games on TV while growing up and believes that hosting the event in Calgary will have a profound impact on the next generation of athletes. Professional snowboarder Craig McMorris, originally from Saskatchewan, echoes Mackay’s sentiments and is eager for Canada to finally host the X Games.
The 2026 X Games introduced a new league format where athletes compete individually while earning points for club teams, creating a championship race that fans can follow throughout the season. CEO Jeremy Bloom revealed the four clubs for the winter league at the X Games Calgary media event, with X Games Club Whistler being one of the participating clubs. This format aims to engage fans and provide a unique experience for spectators to support their favorite clubs.
