ESPN's Summer X-Games moves to Austin for the very first time this June 5-8 at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Here is what you'll need to not only survive, but have the time of your life:
Photo Credit: Getty
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
X Games Survival Guide
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1 The website to know:
Whether you're looking up transportion info, need X Games schedules or you want to know what else there is to do in Austin while you're in town, this is your go-to site.
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2 To purchase tickets go here:
www.ticketmaster.com/ESPN-X-Games
Via X Games Austin: "Tickets are available for purchase at the Circuit of The Americas Box Office on event days, subject to availability. The Box Office is located at the Grand Plaza main entrance gates at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. The Box Office can also be reached via e-mail at cotaboxoffice@circuitoftheamericas.com. The Grand Plaza Box Office will be open on event days only, one hour before the X Games main entrance gates are scheduled to open."
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3 X Games Austin Kickoff bash
You love sports and love to party? This is the big kick-off throwdown you'll want to be at.
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4 Rock out
Wear comfortable shoes, not only for walking around the X Games events all day, but because you'll also be jamming out to the best music all weekend within the live music capital of the world.
The entire X Games Austin music lineup is up, and it holds an impressive lineup that includes: Kanye West, Pretty Lights, Flaming Lips (pictured), Gary Clark Jr., Mac Miller, Slightly Stoopid, Bad Religion, Dillon Francis, Mayer Hawthorne, Wavves, Cash Cash, FMLYBND and Candyland.
Headlining performances will take place at the Austin360 Amphitheater at the Circuit of the Americas while DJs will perform at the Velocity Lounge.
The X Games: Battle of the Bands competition will take over the Sound Factory Stage and local Austin bands will be featured on the KUTX stage.
To vote for one of the eight featured bands in The X Games: Battle of the Bands competition, visit http://xbands.xgamesaustin.com. The winning band will be announced on June 8 based on results from fan voting and will win a $25,000 prize.
See the entire music schedule here.
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5 A water bottle
According to the X Games Austin release, "Guests may not bring any food and/or beverage items into the venue. The only exception is a factory-sealed plastic bottled water, one liter or smaller."
Considering you'll be in Texas during the summer, be sure to bring a water bottle within the aforementioned guidelines. Even better if you can score one from a hot babe like this.
With the water refilling stations that will be available throughout the concourse, it will save you a ton of money and save you a trip to the hospital following dehydration.
You can also try a camelback, just make sure that it isn't larger than a 14" square -- bags any larger are prohibited.
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6 Stop by the X Games Villages
A set of nine separate interactive villages for kids, teens and adults will be ready to entertain you in between your stops at each X Games event. The festival includes: X Music, Galleria, The Playground, Ride The Track, ESPN Clubhouse, Gaming Shack, Green Planet, The Garage and Texas Ranch.
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7 GoPro camera
We all know this is the best camera to ever happen to extreme sports. Take it around and see what you can capture; who knows, maybe Bucky Lasek will let you attach it to his helmet during a run!?
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8 Protect yourself from the sun
Again, it's Texas, in the summer time; it's going to be hot; the sun will be brutal. Bring sunscreen; be sure to reapply. And also wear polarized sunglasses. Unless you want to ruin your eyesight and risk cancer, then settle for the $9 cheapos you got at the stand on the boardwalk.
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9 Watch the first ever Major League Gaming event at X-Games
As per X Games: "'MLG Call of Duty: Ghosts' tournament will feature the top five "Call of Duty" teams based on MLG Pro Points plus the top three teams from the "Call of Duty" championship held in Winter Park, Fla., last month. The eight teams will compete in a double-elimination group format, with four teams advancing to a single-elimination bracket. X Games medals will be awarded to the winning teams."
That's right, for the first time ever an X Games gold will be delivered to a gamer. If you fall into the gamer category and/or you love Call Of Duty, this is a can't miss event where you'll be able to watch the best players in the world compete against one another.
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10 Camp gear
Just as you would at any major music festival, X Games is allowing camping this summer.
Click here for info: xgamesaustin.com/camping/
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11 The athletes you can't miss
...And there are many. Here are a few to get you started:
Tom Schaar (pictured), the 14-year-old from San Diego, has a silver in skateboard Big Air and will look to capture a gold. He was the first to complete a 1080 and the youngest to ever do a 900.
Bob Burnquist has been at X Games all 20 years and has won more medals than anyone in history (26, 12 gold). He will also be competing in Big Air.
Jamie Bestwick is going for a 9-peat on BMX vert.
Bucky Lasek won all five skateboard verts in 2013 and will look to make it six in a row.
A list of all the invited athletes who are slated to compete at X Games Austin can be found here: http://xgames.espn.go.com/events/2014/austin/invitedathletes/
