International skateboarders descend on London for the biggest thing in Skateboarding.

Friday 25th May 2018 Street League Skateboarding is an elite event to celebrate street skateboarding culture and inspire a new generation of UK skaters. In the wake of its recent agreement regarding the Olympic qualification pathway with World Skate (the IOC-recognized international federation), the world’s most prestigious skateboarding competition will make its London debut this weekend at The Copper Box Arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on 26-27 May.

Hosting the opening event of this prestigious tour is a major coup for London, as SLS and World Skate prepare street skateboarding for its inaugural appearance in the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020. The news that SLS will be hit London for the 2018 Tour has generated excitement from the entire skate community, including British skateboarding legend Geoff Rowley. Rowley said, “British skateboarding has held some incredible contests in the past that have gone on to grow and shape the skate scene in Europe – and worldwide. It’s great to see the city of London embracing that rich culture by bringing SLS to the city.”

As well as showcasing the world’s best street skaters, the SLS Pro Open London will shine the spotlight on the capital’s rich street skating scene, challenging negative perceptions of the sport and celebrating the creativity, physicality, and sense of community at its core. 2017 SLS World Champion Nyjah Huston (USA) and top contender Shane O’Neill (Australia) are among the big names set to intermix with an exciting group of up-and-coming athletes that will compete in London over the bank holiday weekend. The athletes will battle for pride and prize in a custom-built concrete skate plaza, designed to inspire innovative tricks and take skateboarding to new heights.

SLS General Manager, Kaitlyn Banchero said, “SLS is proud to inspire the next generation with this historic showcase of the world’s best street skateboarders at the Copper Box in May, and we are honoured to serve the established skate community that has been a revered influence and inspiration to our skaters and fans for decades.

“We applaud Mayor Khan’s appreciation of the positive and dynamic force skateboarding is in the lives of individuals and community, and we look forward to working together to develop forward-thinking initiatives to foster its integration and impact year-round.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “I look forward to welcoming the world’s top skateboarders to London next month. The capital already has a vibrant skateboarding scene and I hope this event inspires a new generation to take up the sport ahead of its inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”

The World Skate/SLS World Tour is the latest major sporting event to choose the capital as its
backdrop, and with only two years until its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it’s fitting that it will be staged at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.