27 August to 14 September, Riga will become one of the basketball capitals of Europe, hosting part of the continent’s most important basketball event – FIBA EuroBasket 2025. Thousands of fans from all over Europe will visit the Latvian capital during this period, and the city will welcome them with special decorations, a fan zone at the venue and enhanced security measures. This was announced on Monday, 18 August, at a press conference by representatives of the Riga City Municipality, basketball and security bodies.
“Riga will become the epicentre of basketball in the coming days, and this is not only a pride of sport, but also a strategic benefit for the city. Such large-scale events make a significant economic contribution, strengthen Riga’s international competitiveness, stimulate business activity and, in the long term, strengthen the capital’s reputation as a modern centre for sport and cultural events. Our task is to use this potential to the full, combining sport events with cultural and urban programmes to create even more added value for both residents and visitors,” says Viesturs Kleinbergs, Chairman of Riga City Council.
“The organisation of EuroBasket is also a great challenge for the Latvian Basketball Association, which strengthens and proves its structural capacity. I believe that the Union, the capital and the country will do their utmost to ensure that every basketball fan has an unforgettable experience. And this EuroBasket is likely to be one of the most memorable in history. The best EuroBasket players who also play in the NBA will play in our arena. This is a unique opportunity to showcase Latvian basketball at the world level,” said Luca Banchi, the head coach of the Latvian national basketball team.
“It has been almost four years since the government supported the Latvian Basketball Union’s idea to bring the European Basketball Championship Finals to Latvia. After four years of purposeful cooperation between the State, the Riga municipality and the basketball family, we have reached the winning point where Riga is honoured to host this great basketball celebration. We are indeed winners right now – we as Latvia, we as Riga, because this is a great opportunity to create tangible added value for our economy and tourism. From this Wednesday, I invite Riga residents and visitors to see an exhibition dedicated to the history of Latvian basketball in the Brīvības Square – Riga City Council in collaboration with journalist Guntis Keisels and the Latvian Sports Museum has created a symbolic avenue of our basketball glory. “May our national basketball team have a great championship, may the baskets be big and the hand be light," said Vilnis Kirsis, Deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council.
“I think it will be the biggest Latvian sporting event ever. I dare to say that Riga is definitely the basketball capital of Europe and, one could say, of the world. It really will be a huge gathering of basketball stars. Unfortunately, or perhaps even fortunately, there are virtually no tickets left for Latvian games. Reserved tickets that have not been withdrawn are expected to go on sale this week for all Latvian national team matches. So far, close to 110 000 of the 240 000 tickets available for the 31 matches of the final tournament have been sold, which is a good figure considering that the knockout matches are still to be decided. The European interest is huge," said Kaspars Cipruss, Secretary General of the Latvian Basketball Union and Executive Director of EuroBasket 2025.
Urban design
Riga will be dressed in a special festive atmosphere during EuroBasket 2025, with several visual and informative highlights planned for the city:
- vertical flag banners and flags will be placed at dozens of locations on bridges, light poles and overhead power lines.
- Posters of the championship designed by the Riga City Council will be displayed in the grandstands.
- The EuroBasket character MARKY MARK will be present in ten locations around the city, just like at previous basketball celebrations.
- A special exhibition on the history of Latvian basketball will be held at Brīvības Square in cooperation with the Latvian Sports Museum.
Security
During EuroBasket 2025, enhanced security measures will be taken in Riga:
- The State Police and Riga Municipal Police will take care of public order and traffic safety, ensuring a peaceful and safe event.
- Police forces will be reinforced throughout the city, especially in the vicinity of the games and fan zones.
- Additional restrictions are expected in daily traffic. Basketball teams will be escorted to the venues by police crews.
- A ban on unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) will apply in certain areas. Police will be able to forcibly land unauthorised drones and identify their operators.
- The Municipal Police will ensure traffic organisation and public order supervision in close cooperation with the State Police.
Residents are invited to be understanding, to plan their daily routes and to welcome visitors to Riga with hospitality
Fan zone and traffic restrictions
The main fan zone will be located at the Xiaomi Arena, where games and events will take place in “The 6th Player Fan Zone”. The Fan Zone will be open on certain days from 12.30 to 24.00 or 01.00 (depending on the game schedule). After the Latvian games, concerts are scheduled until 22.30, after which the sound level will be reduced.
Traffic restrictions will be in effect from 25 August to 15 September:
- Grostonas Street will be closed from Jāņa Dikmaņa Street to Mālpils Street (except with passes and emergency transport).
- Mālpils Street – stopping and parking will prohibited from Skanstes Street to Grostonas Street.
- Movement of electric scooters and bicycles will be restrected on Grostonas Street.
- Access to private parking spaces in the nearest streets will be provided.
Watching the basketball festival in the city
Based on the experience of previous years, Riga City Municipality will allow businesses to set up TV screens and roller screens on their summer terraces.
Conditions:
- Only live streaming of games is allowed, no commercial advertising.
- All cables must be covered with cover panels.
- Responsibility for the safe installation and operation of the equipment lies with the service provider.
- Immediate dismantling must be ensured after the event.
Economic benefits for Riga
EuroBasket 2025 is not only a major sporting event, but also a significant benefit for Riga:
- thousands of visitors will come to the city, making a significant contribution to the hospitality and service industries.
- The event will strengthen Riga's international visibility and economic activity.
- The capital will prove itself as a modern European city, open to sport and culture.
About EuroBasket 2025
From 27 August to 14 September, Riga will become one of the basketball capitals of Europe, hosting part of the continent’s most important basketball event – the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA) EuroBasket 2025. This FIBA European Championship dates back to 1935 and is one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in the history of world basketball.
Four tournament countries will co-host these 42nd Championships: Cyprus, Finland, Poland, and Latvia. Riga will host not only one of the four groups but also the entire decisive phase of the tournament – the knockout games, which will take place from 6 to 14 September. The 16 strongest teams will compete in these games for the title of European champions.
The Latvian capital will be the place to bring together world-class athletes, passionate fans and exciting emotions. It is both a great sporting event and an opportunity for Riga to prove itself as a modern, welcoming and open city.
Information was prepared by Mārtiņš Vilemsons, Project Coordinator at External Communication Division of Riga Municipality Communication Department, e-mail: martins.vilemsons@riga.lv.
