Riga City Council Demands Clear Answer from LFF on National Stadium Plans

Edgars Bergholcs (National Alliance), head of Riga City Council's Development Committee, is demanding a clear answer from the Latvian Football Federation (LFF) regarding the national football stadium plans. He intends to meet with LFF to obtain clarification on the future use of the land granted to the federation on Lucavsala and a specific answer as to whether and where a national football stadium is planned in Riga.

Bergholcs is dissatisfied with LFF's attitude toward the land allocated to it on Lucavsala. The municipality transferred the territory to the federation for free use more than two years ago, but no information has been received about the project's progress or construction plans. He notes that the municipality is investing in infrastructure, private investors are developing nearby residential projects, but there is still no clear answer from the federation.

The municipality needs to make decisions about the future development of Lucavsala, so a clear plan is essential. Bergholcs emphasizes that the municipality remains ready to support the stadium construction, but a clear plan from LFF is required.

It was previously reported that in April 2024, Riga City Council granted LFF approximately ten hectares of land on Lucavsala for free use for five years for the construction of a national football stadium. Earlier this year, LFF signed a memorandum of intent with SIA "Adventika Group" for the purchase of the "Skonto" stadium to implement the national football stadium project. The project involves reconstructing the "Skonto" stadium using existing infrastructure, in cooperation with the state, Riga City Council, UEFA, and FIFA.

Until the purchase agreement for "Skonto" is finalized, LFF will retain the right to use the Lucavsala land as a potential alternative. The potential transaction amount has not been disclosed.