More than 20 sports, a live broadcast on a YouTube channel with 10 million followers, and entertainment for athletes and spectators over three days — with such scale, the “Ghetto Games” festival GG FEST will take place in Ventspils for the 13th time. From July 18 to 20, Ventspils will be turned upside down, and here are some reasons why you shouldn’t miss it.
Over three days, an extensive active program lasting more than 30 hours is planned, which you can fully explore at ghettogamesfestival.com. For the first time at the festival, there will be street volleyball, 3×3 hockey, pickleball, tennis, men’s games, disc golf, and street workout will also make a return.
“Ventspils is ready to host the ‘Ghetto Games’ for the thirteenth time! This year, the festival has grown even bigger, and we will even have to close two main streets — hopefully, this won’t cause inconvenience to the people of Ventspils, as the program is truly grand,” says Jānis Vītoliņš, Chairman of the Ventspils City Council.
Here are 13 top reasons to go to GG FEST.
1. The largest extreme sports event in the Baltics
From Friday to Sunday, the Ventspils Skatepark will bring together the best riders from Latvia, the Baltic states, and around the world in various extreme sports disciplines: BMX, inline skating, skateboarding, and scooters.
2_FREESTYLE BATTLE 2 VS 2
On Friday evening at 8:00 PM in the Great Square, the freestyle rap battle will kick off — for the second year in a 2 vs 2 format. This means even more dynamics, sharper challenges, and suspense about the winner all the way to the final round.
3_U21 Nations League 3×3 Basketball
For three days in the Great Square, the strongest women’s and men’s U21 teams from Latvia, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Greece will compete for the absolute champion title.
4_ISFA Masters Tournament in 3×3 Football
The strongest 3×3 football teams from the Netherlands, Germany, Latvia, Ukraine, Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Finland, and Great Britain will meet at the Great Square to compete for a prize fund of €5,000.
5_STREET FOOD FESTIVAL
At the Skatepark and the Great Square, there will be more than 10 different street food and dessert stalls to satisfy your hunger and lift your spirits!
“We are pleased to work with such an energetic team as ‘Ghetto Games’, who are not afraid to dream and realize truly big ideas. This year, the festival program has been expanded with several new sports, and there will also be news from ‘Balcia’. Personally, I have reserved three days to attend GG FEST with my family, and I invite everyone to join,” says Reinis Bērzkalns, Vice President of the festival’s main partner, Balcia Insurance.
6_Baltic E-Sports Finals
Champions from Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia will meet at the Concert Hall “Latvija” to compete in the popular game “Counter-Strike 2” and determine the strongest team in the Baltics.
7_Conference on Behavioral Issues and Substance Addiction
On Saturday, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM, a conference titled “Journey Through Conversations” will take place at the vertical skate ramp in the Ventspils Skatepark, in collaboration with the Child Protection Center. Well-known Latvian musicians, experts, and foreign athletes will share their experiences on substance addiction and behavioral issues. Musicians will also perform their compositions.
8_MEET THE SOCIAL MEDIA STAR WITH 10 MILLION FOLLOWERS
On Saturday, popular YouTube content creator Andrew Wave, together with Felipi Gabriel, will be live streaming from GG Fest. Andrew Wave holds Diamond status on YouTube, with 10 million followers, and has 5 million followers on TikTok. Andrew and his team regularly create content from globally popular events like F1 races, and this will be a great opportunity to meet him in person in Ventspils.
9_GHETTO DANCE VIP BATTLE
For two days, Ghetto Dance will offer competitions and masterclasses for dancers of various styles at Concert Hall “Latvija” and the Great Square. The climax will be on Sunday when the 2 vs 2 VIP battle kicks off at the Great Square, featuring participants from Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Cape Verde, Tanzania, France, and Belgium. The legendary Jimmy Yudat will sit in the judge’s chair.
10_FIGHT SHOW OVER 2 DAYS
On Friday and Saturday, fighting disciplines for various ages will take place at the Main Square. Starting from kickboxing to MMA – a real treat for fans of sharp sensations.
11_BOURZMA QUARTER
The pioneers and leaders of sustainable fashion in Latvia, the Bourzma movement, will create an entire block in Ventspils where you can buy stylish clothing, create personalized designs, talk and exchange ideas.
12_ACTIVITIES FOR VISITORS
The event area will feature both paid and free activities for visitors of all ages, as well as the opportunity to learn about study opportunities at several universities. We especially recommend trying the big jump in the “Balcia” bubble.
13_NORATHLON AND MEN’S GAMES
The test of endurance, strength, speed, and character, nicknamed Norathlons, will be shown for the first time at GG FEST. Exciting to watch and participate in!
The 2025 Ghetto Games festival program is available HERE.
“There are very few festivals in Latvia and the world where you can recharge your endorphins with a clear mind and where all generations feel good when they come together. At a time when mental problems are becoming acute, we cannot hide behind screens and offer remote solutions. People need to create quality opportunities to meet, get involved, communicate, exchange ideas and experience real feelings in person without intoxicating stimulants, because movement and life are much more interesting. The age of technology and busyness are not an ally for any of us in this matter, so I invite everyone to break away from their everyday lives and have a great time at GG FEST,” emphasizes festival organizer Raimonds Elbakjans.
Entry to the event is free.
The festival is organized with the financial support of the Ventspils City Municipality.
