ESPN, Xbox Team Up To Bring eSports to X Games Aspen

ESPN X Games and Xbox will team up to bring Halo 5: Guardians to X Games Aspen 2016 from January 28-31, as part of the Halo World Championship Tour, and for the first time ever, segments and highlights of the eSports competition will be integrated into the X Games Aspen telecasts on ESPN.

Eight of the top teams from around the world – six from North America and two international teams – will compete in group play that will culminate in a single-elimination bracket-style tournament onsite at X Games Aspen for medals and $30,000 in prize money. Competing teams will be participating in the Halo World Championship, however, the Halo World Championship Tour: X Games Aspen Invitational will not contribute points or change placements for the regional finals.

The three-day competition will take place onsite in The Gaming Shack located in the X Games Aspen festival villages. The event will also be streamed live on WatchESPN, Twitch.tv/Halo, and mlg.tv/halo.

“We are thrilled to team with Xbox to feature the top gamers at X Games Aspen,” says Tim Reed, VP, X Games. “Gaming plays a big role in the youth culture and the Halo World Championship Tour: X Games Aspen Invitational nicely complements the world-class action sports competition and musical elements at the X Games.”

“We are committed to the long-term growth of Halo eSports through world-class events and the expansion of viewership around the globe,” says Bonnie Ross, Microsoft CVP and head of 343 Industries. “There is no one better than X Games and ESPN to team up with for the Halo World Championship Tour, and we’re excited to see the best teams compete for gold this January at the X Games Aspen Invitational.”