By David MacKinnon
This morning, Calgary announced that it has secured rights to host the Winter X Games for a minimum three-year run. That means a very real possibility that in 2020, the X Games may be coming to Canada for the first time. With the level of riding in Calgary lately, and the thriving snowboard culture in the city, we can’t think of a better spot to roll out the red carpet.
Whether this becomes a reality depends on securing corporate sponsorship for the games, but according to Tourism Calgary, talks with Calgary, Alberta, and Canada based brands are in progress. Apparently negotiations have been met with enthusiasm– this could really happen.
The Games are expected to bring 540 annual jobs to Calgary, along with $75 million in annual economic activity. Forecasts are for 75, 000 spectators, with 10, 000 out-of-region visitors. Events will take place at Winsport and the Stampede Grounds, with the installation of a 14-story jump planned for the Stampede Grandstand. An image of the jump prepared by Manifesto Sports Management, one of the companies developing the event, shows a stage at the bottom of the jump. If everything works out, X Games Calgary will be unreal.
