According to reports from Vidusdaugavas televīzija, jekabpilssc.lv, and jekabpils.lv, the “Roks un hokejs” (Rocks and Hockey) festival drew crowds of hockey legends, young talents, and rock musicians to Jēkabpils Sporta Halle from August 21 to 23, 2025. Spanning three days, the event featured international youth tournaments, women’s hockey debuts, regional team battles, and a star-studded gala match.
International U12 Youth Tournament Kicks Off Festival
The festival opened with an international U12 hockey tournament running over two days, as reported by jekabpilssc.lv. Six teams competed for the top spot: two squads from the Rodrigo Laviņš Hockey School (“Baltu Lūši” and “Baltu Vilki”), “Rēzeknes BJSS/Lūši”, two teams from “Rīgas HS”, and international guests “Rokiškio SC” from Lithuania. According to jekabpilssc.lv, “Rīgas HS Balti” claimed first place, “Rīgas HS Zili” took second, and “Baltu Vilki” finished third.
Historic Women’s Hockey Debut and Table Hockey Action
Saturday morning featured a historic milestone for the festival: its first-ever women’s hockey match, according to jekabpilssc.lv. Local squad “Ice Ice Ladies” hosted Rīga’s “Kurbads/Lauvas” team. While the visiting team secured a 3:0 victory, the home team earned large ovations from the crowd for their competitive spirit. Meanwhile, jekabpilssc.lv notes that the hall’s courtyard hosted a table hockey tournament, where Edgars Naglis won the professional division and Augusts Liepiņš triumphed among beginners.
HK Madona Wins Gunārs Meijers Memorial Cup
Ice action continued with the battle for the Gunārs Meijers Memorial Cup, which featured four historical Latvian regional teams (Kurzeme, Latgale, Vidzeme, and Zemgale) according to Vidusdaugavas televīzija, alongside local club teams according to jekabpilssc.lv. Jekabpilssc.lv reports that HK “Madona” secured the traveling trophy by winning all three of their matches. HK “Jēkabpils” finished second, HK “Sēļi” placed third, and HK “Cirma” came in fourth.
Jekabpilssc.lv also outlines the individual tournament awards: Kristaps Kristiņš (HK “Jēkabpils”) was named best forward, Guntars Reiss (HK “Madona”) earned best goaltender, Aleksandrs Galkins (HK “Madona”) took best defenseman, and Deivids Tempelmanis (HK “Sēļi”) claimed MVP honors.
Star-Studded Gala Game Fills Jēkabpils Arena
The event’s primary highlight was the Star Game, which packed the Jēkabpils Sporta Halle to capacity according to jekabpilssc.lv. In a public draft, captains selected their rosters. While Vidusdaugavas televīzija noted that Uvis Balinskis and Dans Ločmelis served as captains for one bracket (where Ločmelis’s squad won 9:6), jekabpilssc.lv reported that veteran legends Aleksandrs Ņiživijs and Herberts Vasiļjevs captained the main exhibition game.
According to jekabpilssc.lv, Ņiživija’s team defeated Vasiļjevs’s squad 8:7 in a fast-paced matchup. Guntis Džeriņš led all scorers with four points for the winning side, while teammates Miķelis Rēdlihs, Valters Midegs, Andris Džeriņš, and Erlends Kļaviņš each added a goal. Vasiļjevs’s team counters included two points each from the captain and Armands Bērziņš, alongside single goals from Miks Indrašis, Arvils Bergmanis, and Lauris Dārziņš. A subsequent penalty shootout saw goals from Krišjānis Rēdlihs, Mārtiņš Jakovļevs, and Kalvis Dobkevičs.
Did you know?
Festival attendees also had the opportunity to view three major trophies won by the animated film “Straume” (Flow)—the European Film Award, the Golden Globe, and the Oscar—alongside the film’s artist, Jēkabpils native Paula Bobrova, as reported by jekabpilssc.lv.
Rock Music and Cultural Synergy
Beyond the ice, the festival delivered three days of live rock music and entertainment. “Sportā ir lielas kaislības un arī rokmūzikā, adrenalīns un emocijas,” (“There are great passions in sports and also in rock music, adrenaline and emotions,”) stated “R.A.P.” soloist Artis Dvarionas, as cited by Vidusdaugavas televīzija. Juris Gaveiko, board member of the organizing association “Sporta attīstības fonds”, explained to Vidusdaugavas televīzija that the goal is to continuously grow the musical lineup and strengthen regional team competition. The weekend concluded with a festive closing ball featuring the legendary band “Credo”, according to jekabpilssc.lv.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the “Roks un hokejs” festival take place?
The festival takes place at the Jēkabpils Sporta Halle in Jēkabpils, Latvia, according to jekabpilssc.lv.
Who organizes the festival?
The event is organized by the association “Sporta attīstības fonds”, according to Vidusdaugavas televīzija and jekabpilssc.lv.
Which team won the regional hockey tournament?
HK “Madona” won the Gunārs Meijers Memorial Cup by winning all three of their matches, according to jekabpilssc.lv.
What musical acts performed at the event?
Performers included rock groups such as “R.A.P.” and the legendary band “Credo”, according to Vidusdaugavas televīzija and jekabpilssc.lv.