Summer sports fiesta in Birštonas: hot air balloonists will compete in the sky, strongmen on the ground

The best pilots from the Baltic States will compete in the event. Among them are world championship participants, experienced aviators and young athletes. On Sunday, July 6, the resort will host the 26th International Strongmen Tournament, which will also feature the strongest athletes from the country and neighboring countries.
The 33rd open hot air balloon championship "Birštonas Cup 2025", which will be held in Birštonas for the sixth time, has become a joint Lithuanian-Latvian championship for the first time. About 30 pilots from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland will compete in it. Six competition flights are planned, and the pilots will compete for the title of champion, the main prize and rating points, which will determine the lists of the Lithuanian and Latvian national teams for next year.

"Aeronautical activity in Latvia is booming, organizational issues pose many challenges, so we discussed with the Latvian delegate at the World Aeronautics Conference and decided that we could invite them to organize the championship in Lithuania. In addition, the hot air balloon championship is open to everyone, which gives pilots the opportunity to test their skills in an international context," says Žydrūnas Kazlauskas, the event organizer and head of the Audenis aeronautics club.

Up to 20 tasks of varying complexity await the participants of the competition. Pilots will have to land or drop a marker as close to a marked point on the ground as possible, as well as perform virtual, often more difficult tasks. Meanwhile, spectators will enjoy an impressive spectacle for the whole family – dozens of colorful air “giants” rising into the sky above the Nemunas River loops.

You can watch the flights from many places in the resort. The best view is from the Birštonas observation tower, which offers a panoramic view of the entire Nemunas River loops, and the most romantic way is by boating on the Nemunas. The closest you can get to the action of the competition will be in the hot air balloon launch area, where the flights are being prepared.

The event program includes daily flights at 05:30 in the morning and 19:00 in the evening (depending on weather conditions) and the opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon during the event (by prior registration at www.skriskimekartu.lt ).

On Sunday, July 6, there will be no shortage of sporting excitement not only in the sky, but also on the ground. Traditionally, on the day of the coronation of Lithuanian King Mindaugas, the 26th International Strongman Tournament is being held at the resort, at the Summer Stage. Eight of the strongest athletes from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland will compete in it.

From 1 p.m., spectators will be able to watch five breathtaking events: tug-of-war, holding King Mindaugas' sword, turning heavy tires, lifting a log, and a relay race, during which strongmen will carry objects weighing over 100 kg 20 meters.

The leaders of both sports competitions will be announced on Sunday. The best hot air balloon pilots will be awarded Lithuanian Aeroclub medals, and the strongest will receive commemorative cups.

All events are free and open to the public. After them, visitors are invited to try the active entertainment that has become the resort's calling card: sledding down the longest track " Pramogų kalnes ", climbing a 12-meter climbing tower with 30 tracks of varying difficulty, trying out extreme water entertainment " Birštonas Wake Park " and a "skate" park for skateboards, bicycles and scooters.

In addition, trampoline entertainment will await the youngest sports fans, and music lovers will enjoy free music forum concerts at the Birštonas Kurhaus. More information about sports events and resort entertainment: https://www.visitbirstonas.lt/renginiai/ .