Newly-promoted Valletta face a tough start on their return to the Premier League as the 25-times Malta champions are up against the top four teams of last season’s championship in their first five matches of the Opening Round.
The draws for the 2025-26 Malta Premier Opening Round were made on Monday night, and the Citizens were already aware that they would be kicking off their commitments against their fierce rivals, Birkirkara, on Saturday, August 16.
But once the draw of the other 10 Match Days was completed, the Citizens found themselves with a tough run of fixtures.
After facing Birkirkara in the opening match, Thane Micallef’s team will be up against champions Ħamrun Spartans on the second day.
Next up for Valletta will be a clash against Marsaxlokk but the following week they will be involved in their first derby against their fierce rivals Floriana.
Valletta will complete this tough run of fixtures with a clash against Sliema Wanderers.
Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara, the two finalists of last season’s Top Four will face off on Match Day 11, the final fixture of the Opening Round, scheduled for November 1 and 2.
A week before, the Spartans will take on Floriana, a rematch of last year’s Top Four semi-final.
Hibernians and Birkirkara will meet for the first time since last season’s FA Trophy final when they face each other in Match Day 3 on the final weekend of August.
Sliema Wanderers have a tough run of fixtures after the first international break of the season in September as they take on Birkirkara (Sept. 13-14), Valletta (Sept. 16-17) and then have a derby date with Gżira United on September 20-21.
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