The renowned X Games action sports competition is set to take place in Calgary next February. Hosted at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park, the three-day event will kick off on February 19. The occasion will also feature performances by international artists Levity and Steve Aoki.
This marks the first time in the 31-year history of the X Games that Canada will host the competition. Alisha Reynolds, President, and CEO of Tourism Calgary expressed excitement, stating that Calgary is the perfect city to host such an electrifying event.
Top skiers and snowboarders from around the world will compete in various events like Big Air, Knuckle Huck, Slopestyle, and Superpipe. Organizers anticipate an attendance of 15,000 to 20,000 spectators over the three days, with an estimated economic boost of around $25 million for the city.
Local freestyle skier Brendan Mackay, a member of Team Canada, is thrilled to have the X Games in his hometown, reminiscing about the significant impact of his first X Games podium finish in 2020 on his career. Mackay believes that hosting the event in Calgary will inspire the next generation of athletes, similar to how Aspen, Colo., has influenced many winter sports athletes.
Professional snowboarder Craig McMorris, hailing from Saskatchewan, is also looking forward to the event coming to Canada, attributing his success to his experiences at Canada Olympic Park.
Innovating for the 2026 event, the X Games introduced a new league format where athletes compete individually while earning points for club teams. This format adds an exciting championship race for fans to follow. CEO Jeremy Bloom unveiled the four clubs for the winter league at a media event in Calgary, including the X Games Club Whistler, giving Canadian fans a team to support.
