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The most popular sport in Latvia is ice hockey, Latvia is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and since 1997 plays in the A pool of IIHF championships. The most popular local team is Dinamo Riga that competes in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Other popular sports are basketball (both male and female), rally racing, and football. Latvian athletes are currently among the best in the world in skeleton, bobsleigh, BMX, and beach volleyball.

Stadiums in Riga

In Riga there are three main stadiums:

• Skonto Stadium - the biggest football stadium in Latvia, also used for open air music concerts. Home of the Skonto Riga football club and the Latvian national football team
• Daugava Stadium - a multifunctional stadium that hosts football and athletics competitions
• Arena Riga - an indoor arena that is used for ice hockey, basketball, and music concerts. Home of the Dinamo Riga ice hockey team

Sporting Events

• Information about the game schedule and tickets for the main team sports can be found on the homepages of the respective associations: ice hockey, basketball, and football
• The Riga marathon takes place every spring and is increasingly popular: more than 25 000 people participated in 2015
• International luge and bobsleigh competitions take place on the track in Sigulda
• The Latvian Rally Championship has around 10 events throughout the year

Activities in Riga

During the winter months favorite sports of Latvians are cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and ice skating. As strange as it might sound for a country with a highest peak at 312 meters above sea level, downhill skiing is quite popular and there are numerous tracks for doing it across all Latvia.

Latvians make the most of the warm summer months by cycling tours, walks in the national parks, or heading to the seaside for swimming or water sports. Also boat rides on one of the big rivers are a favorite spring and summer pastime.

Read more on active leisure opportunities on the official homepage of Latvia Travel.

Gyms in Riga

A single visit costs between 5 EUR and 15 EUR, most gyms also offer passes for multiple visits that are slightly cheaper. A monthly membership costs between 30 EUR and 50 EUR depending on the services included:

• Attendance only between 07.00.-17.00 on working days vs. all day attendance
• Using only gym equipment vs. also attending courses, e.g., aerobics, zumba
• Inclusion of additional services, e.g., towel(s), personal locker, sauna, drinks

Complete listings of sport clubs in Riga by part of city and services offered