X Games organizers will discuss new course designs, different schedules and potentially bigger crowds in '19GETTY IMAGES
X Games Minneapolis this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium drew an announced crowd of 119,000 over four days, but even before the event began, "initial thoughts stewed for what awaits" in '19, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Changes to the event this year "proved fruitful" for organizers, athletes and fans. The highest-paying spectators "enjoyed a new viewing deck above the street and park courses." Spectators also "noted shorter lines as concession stands were better timed around premier events." Progression of the event is a "continued pursuit for organizers as well as athletes." While announced attendance increased from '17-18 by an "estimated 14,000, organizers are sent into an offseason of pondering new course designs, different schedules and bigger crowds." Regardless of location, X Games attendance has been "finicky since peaking with announced crowds of more than 200,000" during the late '90s and early '00s. It is largely a "made-for-TV event" as 19 hours "aired from Minneapolis this weekend on ESPN and ABC." The X Games is "scheduled to be in Minneapolis" through '20. A four-year stay "allows organizers to sufficiently analyze what works, what doesn’t and attempts to build a better experience." ESPN this year "moved the athlete’s lounge to the second-level Hyundai Club, giving their crews a better setup to enjoy the action during downtime." ESPN and SMG, the stadium’s management group, in a few weeks "will meet to evaluate this weekend’s X Games and what they can improve upon" for '19 and '20 (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/23).
