The 2025-26 Malta Premier League season is set for an explosive start, as the opening day of the championship will feature a clash between two huge rivals of the recent past, as newly promoted Valletta take on Birkirkara.
The list of fixtures of the Opening Round of the 2025-26 Malta Premier was confirmed during a live broadcast on TV, during which details of the second edition of the championship were given by top officials from Malta Premier Ltd.
This year’s Malta Premier League will get under way on Saturday, August 16 and the opening fixture will be between Valletta and Birkirkara, with kick-off time set at 6.45pm.
Champions Ħamrun Spartans will open their title defence against newly-promoted Tarxien Rainbows, while Hibernians, the winners of the FA Trophy, will be up against Gżira United.
Matchday One of the championship will provide some fascinating match-ups as Marsaxlokk will be up against Mosta, while Sliema Wanderers face a tricky start to their campaign when they face Żabbar St Patrick, who are in their second season among the big boys since winning promotion in 2024.
Floriana will be hopeful of enjoying a winning start when they take on Naxxar Lions.
The championship will be adopting the same format as last season, albeit the clubs have put forward two amendments to the regulations that are subject to being approved by the Malta FA.
The top six-placed teams in the Opening Round will qualify to play in the Top Six and the rest of the teams will feature in the Bottom Six.
The Premier League clubs are proposing that when two teams finish with the same number of points for the deciding places, including both the Top Six and the Bottom Six, the two teams will contest a decider rather than settling the matter on the direct encounter.
A decider will also be played if two teams finish level on points at the top of the Top Six to decide who finishes in first place at the end of either the Opening Round or the Closing Round.
Clubs are also proposing that the accumulation of yellow cards shall not carry forward for potential play-outs or play-offs.
This means that once all the matches are played in the Top Six and Bottom Six, yellow cards received by players will be dropped ahead of the Top Four semi-finals or relegation deciders.
These proposals will be discussed by the Malta Premier officials with their counterparts at the MFA and will eventually be approved by the governing body’s Executive Committee.
The Malta Premier also confirmed that for the upcoming season, they will also extend the initiative of giving free access to matches to kids under the age of 12 years old, a move that will encourage more families to attend top-flight matches next season.
Meanwhile, the upcoming Malta Premier will feature a new Adidas match-ball for the 2025-26 season. .
“For over 30 years, Eurosport has been at the forefront of sportswear in Malta,” Johann Mifsud, Operations Manager at Eurosport Malta, said.
“Our commitment has always extended beyond business; it’s about nurturing talent, inspiring passion, and supporting the growth of sport in our country.
“In recent years, we’ve witnessed the Malta Premier evolve into a league marked by increased professionalism, competitiveness, and visibility. We felt the time was right.
“This league deserves the very best, and we’re proud that, through this partnership, Maltese footballers will now be playing with Adidas match balls – a global symbol of quality and performance.
“This agreement goes beyond sponsorship. It reflects a shared belief in the potential of Maltese football.
“None of this would have been possible without the continued trust and dedication of our team at Eurosport, the global support of Adidas, and the collaboration of the Malta Premier.
“We look forward to an exciting season ahead and to seeing our shared vision come to life on the pitches across the country.”
Alan Abela, a senior official at the Malta Premier, said: “We are proud to welcome Adidas as the official match ball sponsor of the Malta Premier for the next four seasons.
“This agreement is a landmark moment for the league, as it represents the first time a sponsorship includes both a direct financial contribution and the provision of match balls.
“It reflects our strategic commitment to align with globally recognised brands and is a clear indication of the league’s growing commercial appeal.”
OPENING PROGRAMME
AUGUST 16-18
Birkirkara vs Valletta
Marsaxlokk vs Mosta
Hibernians vs Gzira United
Sliema vs Zabbar SP
Floriana vs Naxxar
Hamrun vs Tarxien Rainbows
Author
