Simple Session 2025: Long-awaited return to the Unibet Arena's giant skatepark

Estonia’s iconic action sports event, Simple Session, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2025 by returning to Tallinn’s Unibet Arena (formerly known as Saku Arena) with a grand festival.

The event will take place next year on March 8-9, returning to its home arena after a five-year hiatus.

According to Simple Session’s organizer, Risto Kalmre, BMX and skateboarding communities in Estonia and worldwide have eagerly awaited the return to a large audience. Kalmre shares the enthusiasm and hopes that compared to the smaller venue at Põhjala Factory and this year’s event in Tartu, next year will see thousands of action sports enthusiasts gather once again. “The return of Simple Session to the Unibet Arena, where the festival’s Tallinn history began, is significant in several ways – we are preparing something extraordinary to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary, and at the same time, we want to showcase the event’s massiveness and impact, for which Simple Session is renowned – many riders have been longing for the high and steep ramps and park riding discipline characteristic of a large arena,” says Kalmre.

Boyd Hilder, a three-time Simple Session BMX champion from Australia, shares Kalmre’s excitement. “I am thrilled to hear that Simple Session 2025 is returning to the big arena! Nothing beats the energy of riding the huge skatepark surrounded by the crowd going nuts. I plan to participate in both the 2024 and 2025 Simple Sessions,” Hilder promises.

Two-time Simple Session skateboarding champion Liam Pace from the USA adds: “I’m super stoked Simple Session is going back into the big stadium; the courses where there’s a 20ft bank wall leading into a massive rail are the most fun unique courses to ride!”

Before the quarter-century anniversary, the 2024 Simple Session will be held from August 21st to 25th in Tartu, just a few weeks after the Paris Olympics, where skateboarding and BMX events will be included in the Olympic program for the second time. The competition venue for Simple Session 24 will be set up in the historic Tartu Comb Factory, and various events will take place throughout the week leading up to the main days all across the city of Tartu. This year’s event is also significant – Simple Session began 24 years ago in Tartu. Therefore, before returning to the world-class giant arena, a tribute to history will be made, returning to Tartu’s roots.

Simple Session brings together world-class athletes from BMX and skateboarding disciplines, providing spectacle and adrenaline to thousands of attendees. Top riders from dozens of countries participate in the event to compete for prestigious podium places and showcase their skills and creativity. A multi-day lineup of concerts and entertainment programs accompanies the competitions.

Tickets for the Tartu event will go on sale in early March. Simple Session 24 is presented by Doritos. Simple Session 24 is one of the key events of Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture.