Each competition course base area will have roughly no more than 50 people workingVanessa Anthes/ESPN X Games
The usual "bustle and hustle" in the approach to X Games Aspen is "exponentially quieter, one of many adaptations that will allow the extreme sports event to become the first competition of its kind in North America during this COVID-19 winter," according to Madeleine Osberger of the ASPEN DAILY NEWS. There will be "no on-site spectators for X Games Aspen 2021," which "unfurls on multiple viewing platforms Jan. 29-31." In past years, the reported attendance was "around 100,000 spectators for a typical four-day event." ESPN Dir of Communications for West Coast Publicity & X Games Danny Chi said, "Each competition course base area will have roughly no more than 50 people working or participating in the event at one time." Chi said that 85 athletes have been "invited to compete in 14 ski and snowboard scheduled events." Osberger notes X Games Aspen '21 is "shorter -- three days instead of four -- and will not include any snowmobile or snow bike events this year" (ASPEN DAILY NEWS, 1/21). Denver-based KCNC-CBS' Jamie Leary wrote the planning to make sure the X Games "can continue in some capacity has been immense." The event "will be a virtual experience and bring the excitement to fans at home." Fans "will be able to interact with sponsors and check out live, interactive cameras" (DENVER.CBSLOCAL.com, 1/20).
NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS: St. Huberts The Stag is on board as a new X Games sponsor this year, serving as the event's official wine. Returning sponsors are Monster Energy, Pacifico Beer, The Real Cost (FDA), Geico, Wendy’s and Jeep, now in its 18th year as exclusive automotive sponsor. With no spectators permitted on-site, the Virtual X Fest will offer an interactive environment that complements the live telecast with a virtual experience. Fans can customize their own avatar and explore the base of the mountain filled with sponsored experiences, such as the Geico live music stage (THE DAILY).
