Sacramento is about to become the epicenter of the action sports world this weekend—and frankly, it’s a bigger deal than you might think.
The MoonPay X Games League makes its debut at Cal Expo on June 26-28, and this isn’t just another festival rolling through town. This is the first time in action sports history that both clubs and individual athletes can compete for points toward a championship. Nearly 100 of the world’s top action sports competitors will be grinding through 18 marquee events across skateboarding, BMX, and Moto X. That’s not small potatoes. The event was originally scheduled for last year but got postponed to ensure the brand-new league could launch properly in 2026.
What makes this significant for Sacramento specifically is the caliber of talent coming home. Nyjah Huston, a 15-time X Games gold medalist and 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medalist, hails from Davis—just a short drive away. You’ll also see Garrett Reynolds, the all-time record medal holder for X Games medals, and Mia Kretzer, the youngest skateboarder ever to compete at the Games at just 11 years old. These aren’t regional heroes; they’re global icons in their sport.
But beyond the athletic chops, Sacramento’s getting real economic muscle from this. Visit Sacramento president and CEO Mike Testa frames it perfectly: major events like this are“résumé-builders.”The city’s track record hosting everything from music festivals to food conferences to sporting events helped land the X Games in the first place. Organizers expect thousands of visitors, hotel stays ramping up in the weeks leading to the event, and millions in economic impact. The broadcast reach goes national too—expect Sacramento’s Tower Bridge and city views to pop up as scenic shots across the country whenever ESPN cuts to commercial.
Beyond the competition, there’s live music, food, and festival culture woven through all three days. Kaskade performs Friday at 8:30 p.m., and Mustard and Subtronics take the stage Saturday at 9 p.m. (both require separate tickets). General admission ranges from $19-$39 for single-day no-music passes up to $189 for a three-day pass with music included. Tickets are limited and available on the X Games official website—organizers are pushing folks to buy in advance.
This matters because Sacramento is betting that a successful first X Games leads to repeat events and more high-caliber competitions down the line. The city’s staking its reputation on pulling off something of genuine scale. If this weekend goes smoothly, expect the city to lean harder into action sports and extreme competitions as part of its identity.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
