The national economy received nearly 17 million euros from this year's Riga Marathon, according to the event's organizers.
Rimi Riga Marathon Boosts Latvia's Economy by Nearly 17 Million Euros
The Rimi Riga Marathon made a significant impact on Latvia's economy in 2025, contributing a record-breaking 16.9 million euros. This represents a substantial increase from the 10.5 million euros generated in 2024.
The increase in economic contribution was largely due to a 40% rise in foreign participants, totaling 6,017 runners from 109 countries. These visitors stayed on average four days, spending around 7.46 million euros on accommodation and catering, and generating approximately 2.48 million euros in tax revenues for the national budget. This means that for every euro invested by the Riga City Council (191,060 euros in 2025), the marathon generated 88 euros for the local economy.
The marathon's growing international profile and its role in boosting marathon tourism to Riga have strengthened the city's reputation as a competitive European running destination. Over the years, organisers and the Riga City Council have consistently expanded the event's scale and its financial benefit to the region.
Key figures for 2025: - Economic impact: ~17 million euros (up from 10.5 million euros in 2024) - Foreign runner increase: +40% - Average stay by foreign visitors: 4 days - Spending in accommodation & catering: 7.46 million euros - Tax revenue from foreign spending: 2.48 million euros - Return on city investment: 88 euros generated per 1 euro spent
Other notable statistics from the event include: - Foreign guests stayed in Latvia for an average of 3.9 days. - 69% of foreign participants traveled to Riga with family or friends, bringing the total number of foreign guests to 12,346. - The majority of foreign participants in the Riga Marathon came from Germany, Great Britain, Lithuania, Finland, and Estonia. - International participants mostly chose the long distances (classic marathon, half marathon, and 10 kilometers).
The Rimi Riga Marathon took place in May 2025, marking another successful year for this significant mass sports event in the Baltic region, with a growing economic footprint.
The Rimi Riga Marathon's economic contributions extended beyond the local economy, with foreign participants investing significantly in education, lifestyle, and travel experiences during their stay in Latvia. For instance, these tourists enrolled their children in local schools to enhance their understanding of Latvian culture, and visited various museums, restaurants, and shops, thereby supporting the nation's education, hospitality, and retail sectors. The sports event also attracted attention from the international sports community, encouraging more competitions and events to take place in Riga, thereby broadening the city's reputation as a hub for sports tourism.
