The Gozo Weekender marks one of the key milestones in the Opening Season of operations for the MPL/KML.
Following last year’s success, the Malta Premier League are fully committed to matching, and hopefully
surpassing those achievements this time around.
For 2026, the Gozo Weekender will be spread over two separate weekends:
• Weekend 1 (April 11–12):
The three Top 6 matches from Match Week 28 will be held at the Gozo Stadium — two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Bottom 6 fixtures from the same match week will be played in Malta.
During the following midweek, Match Week 29 fixtures will be scheduled in Malta.
• Weekend 2 (April 18–19):
Then, the weekend that follows, the Bottom 6 matches from Match Week 30 will be hosted at the Gozo Stadium, (two on Saturday, one match on Sunday), while the Top 6 matches for that round of fixtures will be played in Malta.
As one of the new initiatives this year, all MPL clubs are being invited to assemble a youth team (U10 – U12) to participate in a friendly tournament in Gozo.
This event will also feature Gozitan clubs of the same age groups and aims to strengthen the collaboration between clubs through football and community spirit.
The YoHealth Malta Premier would like to convey its gratitude to the Ministry for Gozo and Planning together with Visit Gozo for once again supporting and entrusting this project, which will see matches from Malta’s top division being played in Gozo, while encouraging domestic tourism.
“This initiative allows us to cross over to Gozo once again and give the Gozitan public the opportunity to watch Malta’s top division matches up close,” said Malta Premier League CEO Alan Abela.
According to a study commissioned by the Malta Premier League (MPL), last year’s Gozo Weekender generated more than 2,300 bed nights in Gozo.
“This year we estimate that the initiative will generate around €600,000 for the Gozitan economy,” Abela added.
One of the main innovations for this year is that the Gozo Weekender will be spread over two weekends.
The three matches from the Top Six will take place on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April, while the three matches from the Bottom Six will be played on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April.
The draws for the Closing Round – Top & Bottom 6 will take place next Monday 16th March, when it will be determined which matches from Match Week 28 and Match Week 30 will be played in Gozo.
A midweek round of matches (in between), will meanwhile be played in Malta (Match Week 29).
For the first time, Football Video Support (FVS) will also be used in Gozo.
FVS is back for the next phase (Top / Bottom), meaning it is back for the Gozo Stadium showpiece in Match Week 28 Top 6 encounters, after the international break.
“We remain committed to continuing to raise the profile of the Malta Premier,” Abela said.
“Attendances are increasing year after year, and during this Opening Round alone we registered an increase of 23,000 spectators compared to the same period last season.”
MPL CEO Alan Abela concluded by thanking Gozo & Planning Minister Hon. Clint Camilleri for his support, as well as Dr. Samuel Azzopardi and the GFA for their full collaboration and hard work in leading to the organization of the event.