The Malta Football Association has announced the completion of another important infrastructural project with the installation of a new artificial turf surface at the Centenary Stadium. The new pitch will be used for the first time on Tuesday 8th July, 2025, during the first qualifying round first leg of the UEFA Conference League between Floriana and Haverfordwest County .
The new surface was inaugurated today, Monday 7th July, 2025 by Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima and Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo, in the presence of other officials and members of the Association’s Executive Board.
Works on this project commenced right at the end of last season. These included repairs to the base, maintenance of the shock pad under surface, the installation of a new synthetic surface manufactured by Belgian brand Greenfields, as well as new equipment for maintenance.
The Centenary Stadium is a sports facility with a Category 2 classification and can therefore host international matches up to a certain level. The material of the grass is woven through an innovative technological system and was already certified as FIFA Quality Pro level. These types of surfaces offer the best conditions optimal performances in professional football.
The previous pitch had been installed back in 2017, ensuring that clubs and all those make use of this venue had a high-quality artificial surface that could host both domestic and international matches, as well as training sessions.
Another notable point is that 500 hours in total are required every year for the maintenance and upkeep of the surface. Additionally, while the grass does not need to be watered, due to the high temperatures in Malta especially during the hottest months of the year, the surface can be watered through a specific system that works digitally.
Speaking during the inauguration of the new pitch, Hon. Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Dr Clifton Grima said: “The investment in sports facilities is a direct investment in the future of our youths and the future of Maltese sport. Through this new surface at the Centenary Stadium, we are ensuring a quality and secure environment for our athletes so that they can fulfil their potential in a professional set-up, both for competitions as well as training sessions. We want to see more children and youths choosing to practise sport and we need to encourage them to do so by providing the high-quality facilities they deserve.”
On his part, Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo remarked: “This is the great satisfaction that comes after plenty of work to continue improving the facilities where football is played and practised in Malta. It is positive that another facility has a new artificial surface that will be enjoyed by all our members and those that are actively involved in local football.
“I would like to thank the Government and Hon. Minister Clifton Grima for his support in ensuring that the Centenary Stadium and the facilities of our member clubs are being modernised thanks to substantial funding.
“Over the past two years, we have installed new pitches at all regional stadia, and this was done to make sure that our facilities continue to satisfy international criteria. Players deserve to play competitive football on quality pitches, and in the last few years the Malta FA has always done its best to adhere to this commitment,” he added.
Located in Ta’ Qali, the Centenary Stadium is the property of the Malta Football Association. This is the fourth time that the artificial surface of the stadium has been replaced since it was officially inaugurated back in August 1999.