KASSO Skate Fest Brings Non-Competitive Skateboarding to Long Beach

The Japanese event organizer debuted its unique skateboarding festival in the U.S. for the first time.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:18pm

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An abstract, expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors depicting a group of skateboarders mid-trick, their bodies and boards blurred into a dynamic, energetic composition that captures the raw athleticism and motion of the sport.KASSO's high-energy skateboarding festival brings a new wave of non-competitive action and spectacle to Long Beach.Long Beach Today

The KASSO Fest Skate & Sound, a two-day skateboarding festival created by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS), made its U.S. debut in Long Beach, California on March 21-22, 2026. The event featured top-tier skate talent, live music acts, and innovative course designs that prioritized creativity and spectacle over competition.

Why it matters

KASSO's non-competitive approach to skateboarding events aims to appeal to both hardcore fans and casual spectators, expanding the reach of the sport beyond its traditional enthusiast base. The festival's success in Long Beach could pave the way for more KASSO events in the U.S., introducing American audiences to a fresh take on skateboarding culture.

The details

The KASSO Fest featured unique course designs like the 'Grasshopper,' which challenged skaters to navigate suspended platforms above water. Rather than a traditional scoring system, the event was designed to be 'simple and intuitive' for spectators to enjoy. In addition to the skateboarding demonstrations, the festival also included live musical performances from acts like LaRussell, EARTHGANG, Andy Mineo, and The Mainliners.

  • The KASSO Fest Skate & Sound took place on March 21-22, 2026.
  • KASSO began as a Japanese TV show in 2024 and has since grown into a global movement.

The players

KASSO

A global movement created by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS), the team behind American Ninja Warrior, that is reimagining skate culture as a high-energy, spectator-driven live event.

Yohei Yasunaga

The producer of KASSO who said hosting an event in the U.S. has been one of the organization's biggest dreams since launching in 2024.

Jamie Foy

A top-tier skate talent who performed at the KASSO Fest in Long Beach.

LaRussell

A musical act that performed at the KASSO Fest in Long Beach.

Andy Mineo

A musical act that performed at the KASSO Fest in Long Beach.

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What they’re saying

“From the very beginning, when we launched KASSO in 2024, hosting an event in the U.S. has been one of our biggest dreams. The U.S. is the birthplace of skateboarding and street culture and has always been a place we admire. We wanted to challenge ourselves and see how much attention we could attract there.”

— Yohei Yasunaga, KASSO Producer

“We intentionally designed it to be simple and intuitive so that the audience can enjoy it without needing to understand complex judging systems.”

— Yohei Yasunaga, KASSO Producer

What’s next

Based on the success of the KASSO Fest Skate & Sound in Long Beach, the organizers are considering hosting another U.S. event later this year.

The takeaway

KASSO's non-competitive approach to skateboarding events, which prioritizes creativity and spectacle over traditional scoring systems, could help expand the sport's appeal beyond its core enthusiast base and introduce new audiences to the dynamic culture of skateboarding.