© Ģirts Kehris
So, you’ve landed in Riga, Latvia. People are speaking Latvian, busy with their own lives, and you don’t know anyone yet. Scary? Perhaps. If you’re into rugby, though, a grass field and a training session is all it takes to start feeling at home here.
Rugby in Latvia is an accessible amateur sport that brings together a diverse mix of people from different backgrounds and nationalities. Since its beginnings in the 1960s, the sport has grown to 26 teams across the country. While Latvia is not widely known as a rugby nation, the local scene has developed into a welcoming, international community.
Rugby is a sport deeply rooted in community and shared values—something players often highlight as what sets it apart, perhaps in a more intimate and accessible way than elsewhere.
“The core values of rugby are respect and equal opportunity for players of all sizes, even when the lightest and heaviest team members differ by 50 to 80 kilos. Up to U12 level, boys and girls play together, and rarely is there a single star who decides the outcome of a game. Everyone has a role,” said Gregors Gorohovskis from the rugby club LIVONIA.
Anyone who plays knows it can be physically demanding in the heat of the game. At the same time, it’s a sport built on discipline, where the referee’s decisions carry real weight and are rarely questioned. And no matter how fierce the game on the field, teams come together afterwards to share food and drinks—a tradition known as the “third half.”
It is in these moments that a sense of community and belonging in Latvia becomes real.
The rugby community in Latvia welcomes both local players and foreign athletes from across the globe. In the past decade, players have come from across Europe and beyond including the Baltics, Scandinavia, Western Europe, as well as countries like Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Unlike in larger rugby nations, where joining a club can feel competitive or structured, rugby in Latvia is open and approachable. Clubs regularly open their doors to players of all experience levels, from complete beginners to seasoned athletes.
There are several ways to get involved, and newcomers are always welcome. Some contact a club directly—a message or email is all it takes. Others take their first step through open training sessions, which regularly welcome new players like local and international students, members of the armed forces, and anyone else curious about the sport.
One such story comes from Enzo Ignacio Beltramino, an Argentine player who spent several seasons playing rugby in Latvia. Moving to a new country came with its challenges. The pace of life felt different, and people initially seemed more reserved than what he was used to. But joining a rugby team shifted his experience completely.
“I joined the team, made some friends, and the guys opened up. That changed the whole story. Being part of the rugby community definitely helped me. I was well received, and eventually I felt at home,” he remembers.
Rugby in Latvia brings together people with very different backgrounds and levels of experience, but what stands out is how quickly that difference fades once you’re on the field. What starts as a way to stay active or try something new often turns into a routine, a familiar circle, and a sense of belonging.
Gregors adds that the club often supports foreign players by helping them find accommodation and work, as well as spending time together and easing their transition into life in Latvia. Although many come to Latvia for work or education, it’s often the rugby community that makes their stay truly meaningful.
As Enzo reflects on his time in Latvia: “I think the main goal when you move abroad is to build relationships, have a good time, and learn. For me, the team made that possible. They’re really amazing people, and I hope this tradition keeps growing.”
His experience is not unique. For many foreigners, rugby in Latvia becomes a way to move from outsider to someone who truly belongs. Through shared practices and time spent together, Latvia slowly starts to feel less like a new place and more like home.
