Ararat-Armenia vs Riga: everything you need to know before the Armenian champions begin their Champions League campaign

Armenian champions Ararat-Armenia are starting a new European season. On Tuesday, 7 July, Manuel Tulipa’s team will play the first leg of the first qualifying round of the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against Latvian champions Riga.

The match will take place at the Vahagn Tumasyan City Stadium in Abovyan. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 Yerevan time.

For Ararat-Armenia, this is not just the beginning of their European campaign, but also the first serious test after their title-winning season. The Armenian club has been handed a difficult opponent already in the opening round: Riga are the reigning champions of Latvia, a team with European experience and strong match rhythm, as the Latvian league is played in a spring-autumn format.

Why the first leg is especially important

The tie will be played over two legs, so the result in Abovyan may largely shape the scenario of the return match. Ararat-Armenia need to make the most of home advantage, play with maximum discipline and try to travel to Latvia with a lead.

Riga enter the match as the more match-fit team. The Latvian season is already in full swing, while Armenian clubs are only beginning their official campaign. This makes the first game even more difficult for the Armenian champions, especially given the major squad changes Ararat-Armenia have gone through during the off-season.

At the same time, Manuel Tulipa’s side have an important advantage: a home match and the support of their fans. The club has taken steps in advance to ensure that as many supporters as possible can get to Abovyan and back the team at the start of the Champions League campaign.

Free entry to the match

The club has announced that entry to the Ararat-Armenia vs Riga match will be free. However, fans will need to receive a free ticket in order to attend the game.

Tickets will be available at the stadium entrance starting two hours before kick-off. The match begins at 20:00, meaning free tickets will be available from 18:00.

Buses from Yerevan to Abovyan

For supporters who have transport difficulties getting from Yerevan to Abovyan, Ararat-Armenia have organized free bus travel.

The buses will depart from Brazil Square in Yerevan, near the Yerevan Sports School of Game Sports.

Departure times:

18:00
18:20

The club has warned that the number of seats is limited. After the match, the buses will also return to Yerevan to the same location.

Where to watch the match

The UEFA Champions League first qualifying round match between Ararat-Armenia and Riga will be broadcast on the “First News” channel.

Refereeing team

The match in Abovyan will be officiated by a Ukrainian refereeing team.

The referee will be Klym Zabroda.

The assistant referees will be Valentyn Kutsev and Vitalii Skoblia.

The fourth official will be Andrii Kovalenko.

Denys Shurman and Viktor Kopiievskyi will be in charge of VAR.

What awaits the winner of the tie

The winner of the Ararat-Armenia vs Riga tie will advance to the second qualifying round of the Champions League. There, they will face the winner of the Floriana of Malta vs Shamrock Rovers of Ireland tie.

The return match between Riga and Ararat-Armenia will take place on 14 July in Latvia. That is why the home game in Abovyan is particularly important: the Armenian champions need not only to deliver a strong performance, but also to create an advantage before the away leg.

For Ararat-Armenia, the start of the Champions League campaign is a chance to confirm their champion status on the international stage. The team has changed significantly and brought in reinforcements, but now it must quickly turn the renewed squad into a single functioning unit.

The first exam comes against Riga in Abovyan. And in a match like this, the support from the stands could become one of the key factors.