More than 100 of the best athletes in sport’s most extreme disciplines will gather in Cardiff, Wales next spring when the world’s preeminent action sports competition takes place for the first time ever outside the US.
Global sport and entertainment leaders Nitro Circus and Live Nation have partnered with Visit Wales, Principality Stadium and Cardiff Council to bring Nitro World Games Wales 2020 to Cardiff on the Bank Holiday weekend, May 23/24.
Next year, elite competitors in freestyle motocross (FMX), BMX, skate and freestyle scooter will face off not only for a coveted trophy, but more importantly for ultimate bragging rights as a world champion. Tickets are available now at nitroworldgames.com.
Travis Pastrana, action sports icon and co-creator of the event, said, “With Nitro World Games, our mission was to allow athletes to push their sports to the next level. We wanted to give athletes bigger ramps along with innovative landing technology which allows them to push the envelope and attempt tricks previously thought impossible. To see Nitro World Games thrive after three years in the U.S. and now crossing borders for the first time and coming to Cardiff, Wales, I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Nitro World Games Wales 2020 will take over Principality Stadium with five electrifying action sports disciplines, all of which push the limits of gravity. Freestyle Motocross and BMX Best Trick each take big air action to the next level thanks to the world’s biggest and tallest ramps, and both have been fan favourites since the event’s inception. Also a fixture is BMX Best Triple Hit, requiring a singular combination of aerial agility and technical consistency necessary to land three tricks in quick succession. Skate Vert, a recent addition to Nitro World Games, will see top athletes take on the halfpipe, and rounding out the event is Scooter Best Trick, featuring one of action sports’ fastest-growing disciplines and the biggest ramp used in competition. And with weekend ticket packages starting at 45 Pounds, Nitro World Games offers fans the opportunity to see the best in action sports, all at a great price (final ticket prices also include additional charges and fees).
“With its abundance of world-class downhill trails and surf breaks and a nationwide network of passionate adventure and action sports fans, Wales is the perfect home for Nitro World Games”, said Andy Edwards, CEO of Nitro Circus. “Cardiff boasts an impressive history of marquee live sport events including the UEFA Champions League Final and the Rugby World Cup at Principality Stadium. We’re honoured to now become part of this rich history and we can’t wait for Nitro World Games to make its international debut here next year.”
Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted that the Nitro World Games are coming to Wales in 2020. This will be the first time the games have been hosted outside the U.S. and is another historic milestone for Wales and a reflection of our growing reputation as an outstanding events destination.
“Many of the world’s leading action sports athletes will compete in the unique atmosphere of the Principality Stadium, and I’m sure their gravity-defying tricks will provide the tens of thousands of spectators with a breath-taking experience.”
Martyn Phillips, chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, which owns and operates Principality Stadium, said: “From hosting World Championship boxing, Olympic football, Rugby World Cup and the UEFA Champions League finals, to sell-out concerts from some of the biggest acts on the international music scene, Principality Stadium has cemented its global reputation as a ‘must play’, multi-event venue.
“Events like Monster Jam and FIM British Speedway, where tonnes of earth are shipped into the stadium to create bespoke tracks and courses, also highlight our versatility and ability to attract a range of audiences to enjoy a wide variety of shows in addition to our staple diet of capacity international rugby union events.
“Nitro World Games is the latest, but will also be one of the greatest, examples of both our global appeal and our adaptability as a multi-event facility.
“It is with a great deal of excitement that we look forward to transforming the world’s most chameleon-like, iconic, stadium, with its retractable roof and changeable playing surface, into the perfect host venue for this amazing celebration of action sports.”
Andy Copping, Live Nation’s Executive President of UK Touring said: “We look forward to welcoming this prestigious global action sports event to the U.K. for the first time ever and cannot wait for fans and spectators to descend to Cardiff which is a fantastic host city. Nitro World Games will showcase some of the finest athletes being pushed to their limits, we hope this inspires a generation. Live Nation are thrilled to be contributing to the international success story of the Nitro World Games”
Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Peter Bradbury said: “Cardiff has successfully hosted sports events of all shapes and sizes, from football, to rugby, cricket, sailing, cycling and more – but the all-action experience of the Nitro World Games looks sure to bring something that little bit different to the city. There’s always a warm welcome for visitors here in the Welsh capital and we’re looking forward to showing action-sports fans exactly why events and Cardiff work so well together.”
While the world-class competition will have attendees on the edge of their seats, there will be plenty of action happening outside the stadium as well. After cheering on the athletes and their spectacular successes, fans can share that celebratory spirit by enjoying the wide variety of live entertainment and great food Cardiff has to offer. Over the course of the holiday weekend, Nitro World Games Wales will become a vibrant festival of sport and culture. Further announcements regarding the fan experience are coming soon.
Since 2016, Nitro World Games has revolutionised action sports competition. With a mix of exciting, adrenaline-charged events, huge big air formats and innovative ramp design, it has given top athletes from across the globe the opportunity to reach ever greater heights and achieve breathtaking world’s firsts. Groundbreaking accomplishments – such as Gregg Duffy’s motorcycle double frontlfip and Harry Bink’s frontflip rock solid — have redefined what’s possible while captivating fans of all ages. BMX icon TJ Lavin has proclaimed, “Nitro World Games is definitely stepping up their game. In my opinion, this is probably the new series to be the champion of.” Now, just three years from its beginnings as a one-day contest, Nitro World Games has grown into a truly global event as it leaves American shores for the first time.
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