An urban sports extravaganza is taking over the centre of Wolverhampton later this year, when the Urban Sports FISE Xperience comes to the city in September. Notably for the city, the event in Wolverhampton will mark the first time the FISE Xperience Series, which has toured around France since 2007, will visit England.
The hosting of the event is possible thanks to funding of £390,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund.
The staging of the FISE Xperience event is part of City of Wolverhampton Council’s five-year events strategy, and aims to boost the local economy and increase footfall in the region.
It comes as the West Midlands positions itself as the Heart of Sport, after hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, while this year’s SportAccord World Sport and Business Summit is being held in the city’s International Convention Centre from the 7 to 11 April.
Ian Fegan, director of Vibrant City said: “We are honoured to be hosting a major international urban sports event this year after securing funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s and HM Government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund.
“We are a city who are proud of staging major sporting events which forms part of our five-year events strategy, putting Wolverhampton on the map and helping to secure the city’s status and reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally as a destination of choice for visitors.
“It’s the first time an FXS event will have been held in the UK and we’re pleased to be partnering with Hurricane (Events) to deliver a fantastic urban sports schedule unlike anything seen before.
“Hopefully, by bringing sporting events like these to the city, it will encourage people of all ages to take up sports they may not have thought of before, as well as building relationships with some of our fantastic local clubs and sporting organisations.”
The 2024 FISE Xperience Series tour got underway in France with a stop in Tignes on March 14 and 15.
The programme in Tignes included open skateboarding sessions, a conference on skate culture, competition in street and trick disciplines, and events for junior, amateur and professional skateboarders.
The FISE Xperience Series continues its French tour with events in Reims, Thonon-les-Bains and Le Havre, before making its first venture across the Channel into England for its series finale in Wolverhampton between September 6 and 8.
BMX freestyle park, scooter freestyle park and breaking competitions are due to be held during the FISE Xperience event in Wolverhampton, which is being staged in the Old Market Square and Victoria Street.
The Xperience event is also set to include shred contests, as well as initiations which are open to everyone.
The tour prides itself on allowing local riders to challenge themselves against national, European and international competitors, while spectators are able to enjoy all of the action free of charge.
Visit here for more information about the West Midlands major sporting events offer.