Closure of climbing gyms, price increases, and athletes' dissatisfaction in Tbilisi

Why are climbing gym prices increasing in Georgia?

Climbing gyms have remained one of the most serious problems for Georgian climbing for many years. Although this sport is slowly growing and gaining interest among the younger generation, the infrastructure in Tbilisi is practically in a state of crisis. Over the past year, two of the three gyms in the capital have closed, while the only remaining gym has significantly raised its prices, causing dissatisfaction among athletes.

Closure of the Vera Climbing Gym

In 2024, the Vera Climbing Gym, which operated under the Alpine Club, was closed. The reason was the rehabilitation of the Chess Palace building (where the gym was located). Renovation work is scheduled to last two years and be completed in 2026. It should be noted that during this process, the gym will be fully dismantled and rebuilt, which will also take additional time and will deprive athletes of training opportunities for at least several years.

Closure of the Vake Climbing Gym

In 2025, the Vake Climbing Gym was also closed. The building where it was located was transferred to the balance of the Ministry of Economy and then privatized, which led to the closure of all sports sections inside the building. Currently, negotiations are underway between the Climbing Federation and the Ministry of Sport to allocate a new building and relocate the gym, but no concrete decision has yet been made.

Price Increase at S.K. Lucky

On September 2, 2025, the only remaining climbing gym in Tbilisi, S.K. Lucky, significantly increased its prices. The monthly subscription rose from 170 GEL to 230 GEL, while the one-time visit fee went up from 30 GEL to 40 GEL. It is noteworthy that in many cases these prices exceed those of leading climbing gyms in Europe. Nevertheless, the gym’s administration has provided no public explanation in response to the athletes’ dissatisfaction. The only positive exception is that prices for students have remained unchanged.

Athletes’ Dissatisfaction and the Depth of the Problem

The price increase and the closure of gyms have caused sharp dissatisfaction among athletes. It is evident that, in monopolistic conditions, the remaining gym has exploited the situation to maximize profit. As a result, the climbing community in Tbilisi has been left practically without alternatives — on the one hand, lacking infrastructure, and on the other, facing artificially inflated prices.

Conclusion

Today, the issue of climbing gyms remains one of the most pressing challenges for Georgian climbing. The infrastructure crisis, rising prices, and the unmet interest of the younger generation threaten the development of the sport in the country. It is essential that both the state and the private sector work together to create a long-term strategy that ensures both accessible infrastructure and fair pricing.