December Gym Round Up
Happy New Year!
December hasn’t all been about food, family and festivities; progress in the European climbing industry doesn’t stop for anything!
As always if you have announcements to share with the world be sure to tag/email/DM us.
Austria
Innsbruck to get Busier
Steinbloc has announced that their much anticipated Innsbruck site is finally happening after a long application process. The gym will be based in the visually striking Canisius Church, across the river from the University.
Go Big in Vienna
Boulder Monkeys in Vienna opened to the public on December 19th. The large, bright and spacious bouldering gym offers kids zone, competition wall, cafe/work space, training area and plenty more bouldering split over 2 levels.
Belgium
Walden makes a Statement
Walden, Belgium’s largest bouldering gym, has opened its doors to the people of Gent. Featuring huge windows and an open plan layout the gym looks welcoming and airy. The gym features a diverse range of angles to play on, the setting is taken care of by Atari Climbing.
Finland
Finland’s Biggest gets Bigger
Helsinki Climbing Centre has announced that it is rapidly building a new, 40m bouldering wall extension. The competition standard wall will be housed in a glass-fronted extension offering excellent viewing opportunity, and will be hosting the Youth World Bouldering Championships in Summer 2025.
France
Cote d’Azur adds new Attraction
South Bloc Park has begun construction of their stunning new facility in Puget-sur-Argens, nestled in the hills between iconic Cote d’Azur locations Cannes and Saint Tropez. The full-service gym will include 41 roped routes, 4 autobelays, large bouldering area, kids zone and more. The structure housing the facility looks to be a large barrel tent, allowing for plenty of natural light to come in through to material.
B-Wall Grows
The B-Wall gym has announced its second site is coming in 2025 to the western town of Vannes. The large, bright, multi-storey gym will feature a rope walls, bouldering, kids zone, training space with adjustable KilterBoard, competition wall and cafe space.
Germany
BoulderWelt #8
Boulderwelt Hamburg opened on the 21st December. The well-established chain offered its classic formula of spacious design, large (and insulated) cafe/work/retail space, the globe boulder feature, large kids zone and a huge array of walls to play on.
Last Minute Surprise
On 26th December Studio Bloc dropped the news that its third site is coming to Wiesbaden in 2025. There weren’t any details with the post, but the brand-known for its globally renowned Studio Bloc Masters competition-is sure to make a statement with the new facility!
Italy
Climbing District Splashes the Cash
One of the big news stories of 2025 was the closure of a massive investment round by French climbing chain Climbing District. That investment is now being put to use with the acquisition of Milan, Italy, based climbing gym UrbanWall Milano. There are also whispers of their London plans taking shape, we look forward to sharing more when it comes.
Small but Well Formed
New entrant to the Italian climbing scene is Gate 51 will soon open its doors to the people of Conegliano, just to the north of Venice. The compact facility will offer a fun range of angles and is built by CityWall.
OberAlp doesn’t do Small
An exciting article that slipped past us in November which can’t be left quiet is the announcement by outdoor clothing giant OberAlp Group announced a massive expansion into climbing gyms across Italy. In their words “The goal is to reach ten gyms in the next five years, creating a nationwide network”.
Norway
Stavager Steps Up
The SiS SportCentre in Stavager, south west Norway, has announced the opening of their massive climbing wall expansion. The new facility offers 2000sqm of new climbing surface including bouldering, roped and training areas.
Spain
Island Destination
The island of Mallorca is getting a huge full-service climbing gym with In Rock. The gym will feature impressive lead walls up to 14m, a huge 10m spray wall, boulder walls and more!
Madrileños Spoiled for Choice
Sputnik has opened its Chamberi, Madrid, site. The full-service facility features autobelays, lead, top-rope, spray walls, bouldering, their famous Sputnik canteen, and even a garden roof deck!
Catalonia Duo Break Cover
New entrant to the Spanish scene is Boulder Crux has made an announcement to open their compact gym in La Garriga, Catalonia. They will be working with PunkSetter and DreamWall to make their vision a reality.
UK
Aberdeen Scene to Grow
Scotland-based Bloc10 Bouldering has announced their second site, coming to Aberdeen later this year. They will be working with Walltopia and setting services will be provided by Torq Routesetting.
London gets a TensionBoard2
London gym group The Font opened the expansion of their existing second site in the Borough district of the city. The new section adds a well lit, ground-floor section (the main area is in a large basement) featuring floor to ceiling windows, London’s first TensionBoard2 and seating area. The Font opened this area in a fun event with Impact Routesetting featuring a Setter Showdown and board climbing competitions to showcase a range of new holds and setting from invited setters from across the country.
Exeter Gym Expands in Style
Exeter-based gym The Quay has opened its impressive bouldering gym Boulder Exe. Split over 2 floors, the open-plan gym features a huge competition wall, including the EP Climbing Titan, Moon, Kilter and TensionBoard2 boards.
Big News from The Depot
Rounding the year out with possibly one of the most anticipated moments in UK climbing this year was the grand opening of Big Depot Manchester. The gym opened on Saturday 21st December. One of the largest full-service climbing gyms in Europe, the facility offers everything a new climber, or an Olympian might need. Depot has a reputation for premium facilities in the UK with now 8 gyms across the Midlands, Big Depot offers lead routes up to 9a, a comprehensive training area, bouldering walls and cafe space.
