The Kia X Games Asia is the most prestigious multi-event, action sports competition in Asia, and will showcase 200 of the best action sport athletes from over 20 countries and five continents as they compete in BMX freestyle, aggressive in-line skating, skateboarding and sport climbing and Moto X Step Up competition by some of the world’s best riders.
The first Asian X Games were held in 1998 in Phuket, Thailand and continued to draw enthusiastic crowds until 2001. From 2002-2004, the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur was home to the Asian X Games. In 2005, the event was hosted in Seoul, Korea before returning to Kuala Lumpur again in 2006. The Kia X Games Asia has been held in Shanghai, China since 2007.
ESPN first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of ESPN Content Development, the X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world, including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.
The X Games is the world’s well known signature action sports competition. In 2011, Kia has entered seventh consecutive year as a major sponsor of the X Games Asia. Kia Motors is excited about this unique opportunity to continue to build our association with the local community and enhance awareness of our brand values in the Asian market and beyond. The competition course will once again feature the perennial favorites of Aggressive In-line Skating, skateboard, Sport Climbing, Bike and Moto X.
The Kia X Games Asia will have something for everybody. Fans can see action on the vert ramp, back flips on the Moto X big air jump, the hottest singers of China perform on the main stage, Kia's latest line-up of vehicles, or sponsors' games and activities all at one event. The Kia Asian X Games also enjoys high-level sponsorship and organizational support in China. Additional support comes from local organizer / broadcaster SMG (Shanghai Media Group) & ESPN Asia. X Games is promoted and organized in Asia by ESPN International and with the cooperation of ESPN STAR Sports.