Since ESPN launched a formal bid process last May, ESPN received significant interest from around the world from cities vying to host an X Games. Official bids were due and submitted on January 2, 2012, and a few weeks later ESPN announced the following nine finalists who advanced to the next phase: Barcelona, Spain; Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Lisbon, Portugal; Munich, Germany; Quintana Roo, Mexico; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Whistler, Canada.

Site surveys were conducted by ESPN organizers in February and March, and ESPN is prepared to announce on May 1 [at 10 am EST] which three new cities will host an X Games event beginning in 2013.

Each X Games events will spotlight the world’s best action sports athletes in BMX, Skateboard, Moto X, and Rally Car Racing at the X Games; and Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile at the winter version of the X Games against the backdrop of the host city and country. Each X Games event will take on its own distinguishing character that will set it apart from the others, including the introduction of new sports and cultural elements including film, style, technology and music that are drawn from the host cities themselves.

This expansion will bring the full scope and scale of the X Games brand to markets around the world. In the past the X Games has successfully organized smaller action sports events, qualifiers and demonstrations in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Philippines and UAE.

Forthcoming details on X Games can be found on xgames.com for fans or on www.espneventmedia.com for members of the media. Follow the X Games on Twitter at twitter.com/xgames.