Corgi Race Vilnius 2025 Brings World's Cutest Athletes to Town

Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, rolls out its canine red carpet: 100+ corgis racing, live Portal meet-ups and city-wide dog hospitality.

Tiny legs, oversized personalities, and a global fan base that can’t get enough – the world’s quirkiest dog race is back. On August 23–24, more than 100 Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh corgis will sprint, bark, and strut in the fourth and most international edition of Corgi Race Vilnius, transforming Lithuania’s capital into a two-day festival of fur, fun, and friendly competition

What to expect: itinerary

After last year’s event went viral to more than 300 million viewers worldwide, 2025 promises even more speed, charm, and unexpected twists. Competitors are arriving from across Europe and beyond, and for the first time, the race weekend will feature live Portal meet-ups linking corgi lovers in Vilnius with fans in Ireland, Poland, the U.S., and other countries in real time.

On day one, Saturday, the action will kick off at Vilnius’ Vingis Park, a lush, tree-lined space that transforms for one weekend into the city’s most competitive stadium, accommodating up to 6,000 spectators.

Over 100 corgis will dash down a 50-meter sprint course, battling it out in heats and finals. In the "Mightiest Voice" competition, corgis throw their best bark into the ring. The "Smartest Corgi" contest will test the dogs' puzzle-solving skills in front of a live audience. Then comes the crowd favorite: the costume contest, where spectators can expect to see Corgis dressed in wildly entertaining pieces.

Day two moves to Vilnius’ Town Hall Square, where the World Corgi Meetup will take place alongside the city's iconic Portals – circular sculptures that link urban spaces across continents via unfiltered livestream, turning the event into a celebration of global connection.

“Corgis may be short on legs, but they’re Olympic gold medalists in charm, and that’s exactly why Corgi Race Vilnius brings together dog lovers and competitors in a festival of joy and mutual admiration,” said Dovilė Bielousovaitė, event organizer. “From the high-energy sprints and creative costume parades in Vingis Park to the global Portal connection in Town Hall Square, we’re proving that friendship and fun require no passport.”

Exploring dog-friendly Vilnius  

Known for its green parks, dog-friendly riverside promenades and cafés that welcome four-legged friends, Vilnius has been earning a reputation as a canine capital. Not far from the racecourse, the Lithuanian National Museum’s exhibition “History Wags the Tail” at Istorijų namai (April 30 – October 26) traces the millennia-old bond between people and dogs through original artefacts, interactive displays and a programme of dog-friendly events.

Corgi Race Vilnius history

Born from a backyard bet in 2020 between two corgi owners curious to see whose pup was faster, the event quickly became a crowd magnet. That first race drew 40 corgis and about 1,000 cheering fans. Today, it’s a fixture on Vilnius’ summer calendar — and a growing global spectacle that keeps fans coming back for more laughter at the rails and smiles at the finish line.